Melissa Taylor

Experience

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  Jefferon County Regional Crime Lab

  May 1995 - Jun 2005

  Forensic Analyst

  • Selected to attend GC-MS for Drug Analysis class at the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA • Analyzed primarily suspected controlled substances qualitatively and quantitatively using Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), FTIR, Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV), GC, and UV Fluorescence• Utilized variety of wet chemistry techniques, including solvent washes and extractions, spot color tests, microcrystalline tests and thin layer chromatography• Performed instrument maintenance, troubleshooting and method development of all lab instruments extensively• Developed Blood Alcohol Analysis procedures• Collaborated with lab colleagues to compose Lab Controlled Substance Testing Manuals while participated in reviewing and corrections new policy and procedural manuals• Testified as an Expert Witness in Drug, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Murder cases• Participated in searching crime scenes by collecting and preliminarily testing evidence, photographed and sketched scenes and packaged, sealed and transported evidence to the Crime Lab while maintaining chain of custody. • Organized, prepared and presented for annual Field Testing and ODV NarcoPouch ®, Sirchie Nark II ® and NIK ® Polytesting Classes to Law Enforcement Officers Show less

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  INVISTA

  May 2005 - Jun 2018

  Senior R&D Laboratory Technician

  • Served as ICP Expert• Developed new methods, procedures and protocol for high pressure microwave and ICP instrumentation to assist in troubleshoot process issues and identifying problems with detailed metals analysis• Maintained and troubleshot instrumentation including Varian Vista-Pro ICP-OES, Agilent Series 730 ICP-OES, Thermo X-Series 2 ICP-MS, Cary 5000 UV-Vis with DRA, & Milestone UltraWAVE high pressure microwave (HPM)• Participated in the preparation of the first Department of Public Safety’s Precursor Chemical Laboratory Apparatus (PCLA) report, which entailed over 10,000 items of R&D glassware while organizing stockroom• Managed chemical inventory for entire laboratory, including implementation of new barcoding system that barcoded over 400 items• Career Highlights o Supported Georgia R&D facility to resolve analysis issue conducted by 3rd party that was no longer offered. Established method in-house, conducted comparative standards and samples between two labs, traveled to Georgia for method turnover and trained technicians on method and instrument maintenanceo Member of the R&D Safety Committeeo Member of INVISTA/DuPont’s ERT Show less

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  Renewable Biofuels Inc.

  Jun 2018 - Sept 2019

  Assistant Laboratory Manager

  • Served as Designee for Chemical Control Plan• Interacted with two vendors for Chemical Control Plan while presenting vendor offers and recommendations to upper management • Maintained plant’s Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) while ensuring Globally Harmonized System (GHS) compliance and quality assurance• Managed plant chemical inventory by updating and connecting to SDSs, conducting extensive plant audits and ensuring all plant chemicals are in the inventory and placed in proper locations• Revised chemical control plan and enforced training to be conducted • Proofed, approved and installed plant signs • Collaborated with engineers on special projects • Attended daily plant meetings and addressed engineers’ questions around lab-related matters• Performed Aflatoxin testing, recommended improvements on ICP utilizing my ICP expertise and executed implemented procedure across all shifts to ensure ICP’s quality control standards are met Show less

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  Saybolt

  Feb 2020 - Oct 2021

  Chemist II
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  Sasol

  Oct 2021 - now

  R&D Research Chemist