Microbiologist

Microbiologist II — Pacific BioLabs Inc.

San Diego, CA | April 2024 – Present

• Executed over 450 sterility testing cycles per year on pharmaceutical drug batches using Biosafety Cabinets and autoclave systems, maintaining a 100% compliance rate with FDA Part 211 regulations.
• Isolated and identified 18 bacterial and fungal contaminants by implementing advanced PCR assays and ELISA testing protocols, which decreased batch rejection costs by $65,000 annually.
• Supervised and trained 4 junior lab technicians on aseptic techniques and environmental monitoring procedures, boosting overall daily laboratory testing throughput by 22% over 6 months.
• Automated the collection of environmental monitoring data using LabWare LIMS, reducing report generation times by 15 hours per week while eliminating manual transcription errors.

Associate Microbiologist — Apex Quality Laboratories

Austin, TX | June 2020 – March 2024

• Conducted 1,200 microbiological assays annually on raw materials and finished food products, identifying microbial limits to ensure full compliance with USDA and ISO 17025 standards.
• Designed an optimized agar preparation workflow using automated media preparators, reducing preparation waste by 18% and saving $14,000 in laboratory chemical purchasing expenses.
• Investigated 34 environmental out-of-specification events by executing thorough root-cause analyses, successfully resolving contamination issues within a 48-hour response window.
• Standardized the laboratory calibration protocols for incubators and spectrophotometers, which improved instrument operational uptime by 16% and prevented testing delays.

Aseptic technique, PCR assays, Pathogen identification, Cell culture, ELISA, LIMS, Environmental monitoring, Biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) protocols, FDA regulations, ISO 17025 compliance, Autoclave operations, Spectrophotometry, Microbial limit testing, Sterility validation

Laboratory LIMS Implementation

Role: Technical Lead for System Configuration

Tools: LabWare LIMS, SQL, Biosafety Cabinets, Autoclaves

Configured and validated the new LIMS database structure, transitioning 300+ legacy sample protocols to a digital workflow and reducing data retrieval times by 45%.

Pathogen Screening Automation

Role: Lead Method Validation Scientist

Tools: Automated Liquid Handlers, RT-PCR Systems, Biorad CFX Manager

Validated high-throughput RT-PCR screening methods for salmonella detection in food products, which cut assay turnaround time from 72 hours down to 24 hours.

• M(ASCP) – Technologist in Microbiology (2021)
• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) – American Society for Quality (2023)
• Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) (2022)

• Languages: English (Native), Portuguese (Conversational)
• Volunteer Work: STEM mentor at San Diego Science Festival (2021–Present)
• Affiliations: Member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)