Experience

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  Illinois state university

  Aug 2006 - May 2007

  Molecular biology research assnt

  Performed independent research projects and presented data in meetings on C. elegans.Undergraduate Research Assistant Projects: 1.Construction of a full length microtubule associated gene, cls-2, fused to a yellow fluorescent gene.2.Purification of an ankyrin fused protein, GST-UNC 44, from C. elegans.

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  Gms lab. inc.

  Jun 2007 - Nov 2007

  Lab manager/chemist

  Managed day to day operations of the lab, training of technicians, chemical preparations and instrument method development by developing methods, troubleshooting and performing soil and water sample analysis using inductive coupled plasma- optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA). Used LIMS system to generate data reports, assisted with training 4 technicians, maintaining, stocking and ordering laboratory supplies.

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  Tate & lyle

  Jan 2008 - Jul 2008

  Microbiology engineering tech

  Worked with Research and Development group on bench top fermentation projects for product development and improvement of food and feed additives by following SOP’s, GMP and GLP guidelines, performing microbial, biochemical and mass spectrometry analysis on fermentation samples whilst collecting and analyzing data using LIMS.

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  Illinois state university

  Jan 2009 - Sept 2010

  Designed and performed experiments, lead, managed and presented data on Staphylococcus aureus, Gluconobacter sp. and Listeria monocytogenes research projects. Mentored students and was in charge of general maintenance and safety of the lab. Reviewed and edited journals and manuscript grants for submission.Graduate Research Assistant Projects: 1.Identification and characterization of a hypothetical gene, NWMN_1636, involved in biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus.2.Cloning, overexpression, purification and characterization of a copper sensitive operon repressor, CsoR, from Staphylococcus aureus.3.Cloning, overexpression and purification of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, ADH, from Gluconobacter sp. 33: a potential biofuel sensor.4.Identification and characterization of genes involved in biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus from a Tn917 and bursa aurealis transposon mutagenesis library.5.Construction of a mutation library using bursa aurealis transposon mutagenesis in S. aureus.6.Protein purification of Listeria monocytogenes Fur, involved in iron regulation.7.Effect of various classes of antibiotics on the vraSR two component regulatory system in S. aureus Show less

  • Molecular Microbiology Research Assnt

    Jul 2008 - Sept 2010

  • Graduate Teaching Assnt

    Jan 2009 - May 2010
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  Archer daniels midland

  Oct 2010 - Apr 2013

  Microbiologist

  Managed operations of the Microbiology QC lab and clean room operations performed by eighteen technicians for the start up of fermentation cultures from 500ml flask to 200 000 gallon fermenters. Worked in liaison as a subject matter expert for microbiological issues with research, process development, fermentation and refinery department to track and identify microbial contamination, sources and provided mitigation support to fermentation which aided to realize cost and energy savings for contaminated fermentations. Constructed a bacteria based library using molecular based techniques that was utilized at the plant and by other sister plants to provide information to recommend sanitation procedures and increase fermenters and maintenance turnaround time. Furthermore, I was involved with managing HACCP monitoring systems, administering contamination risk assessments, validating fermentation processes, designing training programs and evaluating safety, manufacturing and sanitation audits. Show less

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  Nocturnal valley fresh

  May 2013 - now

  Quality assurance manager

  Co-founded a small agro-processing farm to table business after repatriating to Zimbabwe involved with production and supplying of fresh whole and pre-cut vegetables as well as passion fruit (granadillas) to retailers, wholesalers, individuals and exporters. My responsibilities include but are not limited to strategy and execution of production of fruit and vegetables by utilizing Kepner Tregoe training and skills, setting up for GLOBALGAP certification, project leader in infrastructure setup as building a processing facility based on a HACCP model, restructuring of GLOBALGAP related facilities, food security, irrigation and production infrastructure, leading, training and managing employees on production, processing and quality procedures for organic and non organic vegetables as well as passion fruit. I am also involved with branding, website design, searching for markets and setting up a marketing program that has aided in a loyal customer following as well as maintain a steady growth trajectory for seven consecutive years despite extenuating circumstances in the operating environment- in addition to determining and executing measures to recycle waste, development of new products and improvement of current products using gathered KPI's and determined OKR's. Designed and presented a training platform on retail-supply relationship management from a supplier’s perspective to front line managers of a huge retail chain in Zimbabwe in effort to help streamline farm to table processes, curb some of the extenuating effects from the economy and build sustainable food systems.Maintain constant engagement with formal retailers and other farmers in the community to utilize land and available resources for food production whilst providing link to markets, contribute to poverty alleviation and community development as part of building a sustainable food system. Show less