Dawn Merriman, PhD

Experience

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  Loyola University Maryland

  Jun 2010 - May 2013

  Research Assistant

  Advisor: Elizabeth E. Dahl, Ph.D. Pursued a biological source of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean by culturing marine phytoplankton in chemically stressful environments. Prepared water samples that were subjected to purge and trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in order to measure trace concentrations of alkyl nitrates.• Supervised a group of 5 undergraduate students in research • Built custom vessels to grow cells in a chemically stable environment • Acted as the technical point on fixing custom-made parts on the purge and trap Show less

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  Harvard University

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Summer Research Assistant

  Advisor: Alessandra Ferzoco, Ph.D. Succeeded in building an electrochemical flow cell to ionize a small molecule crucial in understanding how electrons move and can be stored in solar cells. • Created parts in AutoCAD software that were sent to a machinist and incorporated into a mass-spectrometer• Facilitated in constructing an electrospray mass-spectrometer• Researched methods to ionize small molecules that undergo an electron moving process called proton-coupled-electron-transfer (PCET) Show less

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  Duke University

  Aug 2013 - May 2018

  Researcher Ph.D. Student

  Advisor: Dr. Hashim Al-Hashimi, Ph.D. • Authored ten scientific peer-reviewed publications and received the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences Joe Taylor Adams Fellowship • High technical expertise in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) data-processing and interpretation, including implementing novel pulse sequences• Synthesized highly pure 13C/15N labeled (> 99%) RNA samples via T7 RNA polymerase and a Bioautomation MerMade 6, with purification through PAGE, HPLC, and lyophilization and buffer exchange • Performed two- and three-state conformational and binding analysis on various small RNA species to determine thermodynamic and kinetic landscapes using NMR• Performed polyacrylamide and native gel analysis on the binding of small molecules to RNA and for RNA conformational dynamics• Designed, executed, and analyzed high-fidelity, CPU, and GPU molecular dynamic simulations (AMBER and CHARMM) of RNA molecules • Highly knowledgeable about RNA/DNA and protein chemistry Show less

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  U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology

  Jul 2018 - Jan 2020

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  Advisor: Lt Col Omar A. Nava, Ph.D.I collected, analyzed, and interpreted proof-of-concept raw GPS data for DARPA-funded seedling project • Effectively delivered and delegated tasks with the principal investigator and collaborators to ensure DARPA project goals were met to obtain further funding • Personally planned, coordinated and successfully collected data on three international campaigns to measure unique atmospheric phenomena• Developed posters and presentations for myself and Lt Col Nava to present scientific data at national and international conferences such as AGU, EGU, IAIN Show less

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  University of Dayton

  Aug 2019 - Jun 2020

  Chemistry Lab Instructor

  I taught General, Quantitative, and Bioanalytical Chemistry Labs, in addition to a lecture-based introductory chemistry course to non-science majors called The World of Chemistry• Implemented eleven new laboratories to the University chemistry curriculum, making sure to prepare relevant SOPs, protocols, and reports for teaching faculty and students • Quickly switched to online teaching for both laboratory and lecture classes during the COVID pandemic• Mentored a class of 17 young women in UD’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program through their General Chemistry course Show less

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  U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology

  Jun 2020 - Jan 2021

  Postdoctoral Researcher

  Advisor: Maj Daniel J. Emmons, Ph.D.I lead a big data analysis project studying atmospheric disturbances for future operational space situational awareness mission at AFRL/RV, Kirtland AFB, NM.• Retrieved, organized, cleaned, and analyzed 15-min increment data from 88 data sites, over 32 years ~90 million+ data points utilizing Pandas, Numpy, and MatPlotLib Python Libraries• Using data regression and statistical models in Python (Scikit-learn, pyKrig) to predict global atmospheric phenomena Show less

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  RQM+

  Jan 2021 - Apr 2022

  Medical writer specializing in creating Clinical Evaluation Plans and Clinical Evaluation Reports under the European Union Medical Device Regulation standard. • Have completed reports for Class I and II devices such as, OB/GYN, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary endoscopy scopes and accessories. • Conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, Embase, and Europe PMC• Conducted formal adverse event and recall searches through U.S. and international databases (e.g., MAUDE, TGA SARA, Health Canada, BFARM, MHRA, etc.) Show less

  • Regulatory Scientist

    May 2021 - Apr 2022

  • Medical Writer

    Jan 2021 - May 2021
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  SHIFT YOGA

  Jan 2022 - Jun 2022

  Yoga Instructor
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  Arthrex

  Apr 2022 - Oct 2022

  Senior Medical Writer

  Private contractor specializing in Clinical Evaluation Plans and Clinical Evaluation Reports under the European Union Medical Device Regulation standard. • Completed reports for Class II device orthopedic devices and accessories. • Conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, Embase, and Europe PMC• Conducted formal adverse event and recall searches through U.S. and international databases (e.g., MAUDE, TGA SARA, Health Canada, BFARM, MHRA, etc.)

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  Alcon

  Oct 2022 - now

  Associate Director, Clinical Evaluations

  Leading a team of 15 medical writers to complete systematic literature reviews for the use in clinical evaluations to support submission to TÜV SÜD under EU MDR, and complete literature searches for life-cycle management within Alcon for approximately 100 medical devices a year.