Melanie Knoll

Experience

• 

  Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

  May 2016 - Jul 2016

  Research Assistant

  Supervision of students carrying out laboratory experiments in the field of animal physiology

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  Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

  Nov 2016 - Mar 2017

  Research Assistant

  Supervision of students carrying out laboratory experiments in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology and genetics

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  MicroMol GmbH

  Mar 2017 - Oct 2017

  Research Assistant / Bachelor Student

  Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance: Adhered to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for water analysis and microbiological procedures.Project Leadership & Innovation: Independently led a research project to identify bacteriophages for industrial applications

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  Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

  Nov 2017 - Feb 2018

  Research Assistant

  Investigation of the electron transfer chain in exoelectrogenic bacteria and operation of microbial electrolysis cells

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  Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

  Mar 2019 - Jun 2021

  See description of Doctoral Researcher in Gescher's lab in Hamburg, as I moved from KIT in Karlsruhe to TUHH in Hamburg with the whole Gescher group during my PhD! Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering: Conducted genetic engineering experiments to investigate the electron transfer chain in exoelectrogenic bacteria Bioinformatics & Molecular Biology: Utilized bioinformatics tools to analyze homologous proteins and employed CRISPR/Cas-mediated mutagenesis to investigate plant genome stability

  • Doctoral Researcher

    Feb 2020 - Jun 2021

  • Research Assistant

    Nov 2019 - Feb 2020

  • Master Student

    Mar 2019 - Oct 2019
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  Gescher's Lab of Technical Microbiology - TUHH

  Jul 2021 - Apr 2024

  Successful Scale-Up: Executed the successful scale-up of a microbial electrolysis reactor from milliliters to 20 liters, leading to expanded project scope that directly contributed to meeting industry partnership milestones within timelinesProcess Development: Directed the comprehensive optimization of anaerobic fermentation techniques from initial concept through implementationCross-disciplinary Communication: Effectively collaborated with chemists, engineers, and industry partners to ensure project successTechnical Expertise: Leveraged CAD skills to design reactors and streamline project management processes Show less Innovative Research & Technological Advancement: Developed a patented electroactive biofilm technology, resulting in a 9x improvement in bioelectrochemical systemsProven Leadership & Mentorship: Supervised 7 junior researchers and led 3 successful scientific projectsSignificant Research Output & Team Collaboration: Co-authored 7 scientific papers, secured 1 patent, and contributed to 2 government-funded projects focused on waste utilization, strain development, bioinformatics, and bioelectrochemical methodsGlobal Engagement & Communication: Presented research at 3 international conferences, participated in a 1-week summer school in England, and played a key role in an international research instituteTechnical Proficiency: Specialized in process optimization, strain development, and scientific data analysis using MS Office, Origin, and ImageJOrganizational Excellence: Co-led infrastructure transition from KIT to TUHH Show less

  • Postdoctoral Researcher

    Aug 2023 - Apr 2024

  • Doctoral Researcher

    Jul 2021 - Sept 2023
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  Hamburg Innovation GmbH

  Aug 2023 - Dec 2023

  Postdoctoral Researcher

  Successful Technology Transfer & Entrepreneurship: Secured €30,000 in funding, managed project finances, and developed a business plan for an early-stage spin-offProven Project & Technical Leadership: Led the translation of laboratory innovations to industrial-scale processes and mentored 3 junior researchers throughout the technology transfer processTechnical Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in programming and bioprocess optimization