Experience

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  Uc san diego

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1998

  Staff research associate ii

  Managed the Surgical Resource Laboratory (SRL) utilized by UCSD's Department of Surgery (General, Transplant, Emergency, and Plastic Surgeons). Also managed, and provided administrative and technical support to, private sector biotechnology companies performing contracted research in the SRL.

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  Alliance pharmaceuticals corp

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

  Research scientist
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  Amylin pharmaceuticals - a wholly owned subsidiary of bristol-myers squibb

  Nov 2002 - Feb 2006

  Senior research associate

  Performed management and technical services for a Biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drug candidates for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and other diseases. Key role in providing Comparative Medicine operational support, and technical expertise, to investigative teams of preclinical research scientists. Successfully managed broad services for over 30 research investigators and affiliated personnel. Contributed to writing and reviewing both IACUC Animal Subjects and R&D experimental protocols. Procured and assimilated experimental data for scientific reports and presentations. Developed new, and improved upon existing, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Played an integral role in assuring compliance with Governmental and Institutional Policies and consistently upheld the highest standards of animal care and use practices. Directly supported IACUC Administration activities. Sourced and cultivated positive business relationships with industry vendors and pertinent resources.Fulfilled a principal role in the fabrication and implementation of several investigational projects. Reliably coordinated start-up, management, and close-out requirements of numerous dynamic and complex preclinical research projects. Show less

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  Neurocore llc

  May 2006 - Aug 2008

  Surgical associate / glp technical consultant

  Contracted with Neurocore LLC, a preclinical drug development research partner, to support preclinical trials at Perry Scientific Inc., a Contract Research Organization (CRO). Documented QA/QC measures to validate preclinical trials were conducted in strict adherence to GLP principles. •Assisted Dr. Martin Marsala, UCSD Professor (Dept. of Anesthesiology) and Neuralstem Inc. contract investigator with cutting-edge stem cell therapy model development. Operating as a team, surgically prepared immunosuppressed minipigs to receive lumbar spinal cord grafts of stem cell derived neural precursors to advance proprietary preclinical trials•Performed stereotaxic surgical procedures on rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases in preparation of experimental studies exploring the neuroprotective potential of genetically modified human-derived stem cells Show less

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  Fibrogen

  Sept 2008 - Nov 2012

  Preclinical operations manager

  Managed operations of a preclinical research facility. Directed and supervised Vivarium Management. Led a trained, productive, and accountable team of compassionate and supportive staff. Delivered highly rated service, and attentive oversight, to research investigators/associates. Consistently and effectively advocated an environment conducive for humane/enriched/compliant Animal Care and Use Program. Effectively supported contracted “incubating Biotechs” (micro companies), in addition to administrating & managing priority-based institutional agendas.•Overhauled, standardized, and streamlined across-the-board preclinical operations•Co-designed, assembled, & launched a three year revision of a comprehensive Animal Care and Use Handbook detailing vivarium policies, procedures, SOPs, and regulatory requirements and guidelines •Independently created custom versions of an originally designed Clinical Score Record and Humane Endpoint template for different animal disease models based on anticipated clinical signs of specific disease processes. Co-validated template versions for internal effectiveness and successfully received certified approvals for institutional use. Received authorship acknowledgement during a National training event by an Attending Veterinarian where these custom records were used in a pain recognition & management presentation / publication for lab animal industry students •Led the disassembly, relocation, and operational start-up of a 10,000 SqFt preclinical research facility. Successfully coordinated experimental in-vivo endpoints and moving logistics amongst scientific teams and outsourced professionals•Supported an unprecedented company venture to raise operating capital by providing add-on administrative, management, and compliance oversight services to contracted external micro companies. These expanded obligations helped to raise over $25,000+/month of supplemental net income for company-wide expenses Show less

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  Pfizer, inc

  Nov 2012 - May 2013

  Animal welfare manager / senior scientist @covx (a former pfizer research unit)

  Animal Welfare Manager / Senior Scientist · 19 November 2012 to 7 May 2013 · San Diego, CaliforniaCovX, a Pfizer owned Biotherapeutics R&D unit, was closed by Pfizer on May 7, 2013, resulting in the lay off of 100 site employees. Managed daily operations of AAALAC accredited vivarium. Upheld animal welfare obligations and improved upon environmental enrichment as much as possible. Oversaw Animal Care & Use Program activities and internal and external regulatory reporting requirements. Directly supported IACUC’s program agendas, responsibilities, and internal correspondence. Provided direct supervision to animal care personnel and promoted career development. Fulfilled total supervisory responsibility, in terms of compliance surveillance and enforcement, to all individuals granted vivarium access.Administered a comprehensive training program to a collective audience. Delivered creative monthly presentations of forward-looking material coupled with regularly updated hands-on exercises. •Successfully guided the execution of Pfizer’s strict institutional policies, along with external regulatory obligations, essential to ensuring flawless animal care•Played a lead supportive role in achieving a three year AAALAC reaccreditation milestone. This significant accomplishment demonstrated an authentic commitment to responsible animal research and regulatory compliance. This level of achievement is above and beyond what is required by law Show less

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  Bloom & grow ventures

  May 2013 - now

  Business owner / operations manager

  • Vivarium operations management, decommissions, and commencing start-up operations • Animal Welfare practices and Animal Care & Use Program oversight and administration• IACUC administration, Committee membership, and AUP review• Custom record and template development to facilitate vivarium and business office operations • Streamline business operations for maximal operating efficiency