Riley Lopez

Experience

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  Pappadeaux Restaurant

  Jan 2015 - May 2020

  Food Server

  I performed the roles of a server, head server, trainer, to-go server, and bartender. Throughout this experience I gained vital communication skills, diffused escalating situations, and worked in a cohesive team environment to provide superior hospitality and customer service• Enhances guest experience through professional team-based service, trains new employees, and inventories cash at the close of the shift.• Worked 20-30 hours per week while attending school full time

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  UTSA College of Engineering

  Nov 2017 - May 2019

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  My undergraduate research experience encompassed research projects targeted in developing regenerative strategies for bone and skeletal muscle tissue engineering under Dr. Teja Guda and in collaboration the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. My tasks included performing and analyzing micro CT scans using Dataworks, CT-Analyzer (CTAn), and ImageJ to generate 3D models of the mandibles of canine animals to determine the appropriate structural design to support cellular growth of dentin. The in vivo bone sample vessel morphology was analyzed for scaffold structure and various bio-mechanical properties to enable the development of custom bioreactors for the regeneration of pulp within teeth.• Used CT scans, Dataworks, CT-Analyzer (CTAn), and ImageJ to generate 3D models of the mandibles of human and animals to analyze the appropriate structural design to support cellular growth of dentin• Aided in the development of custom bioreactors to enable regeneration of pulp within teeth Show less

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  INCELL Corporation

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Assistant Laboratory Technician

  My role at INCELL Co. as a laboratory technician assistant varied. As a small company, I was tasked with a variety of roles assisting in various laboratory experiments such as stem cell manufacturing and testing of cancerous cells. I also assisted in the general manufacturing protocol (GMP) production of products relating to cell culture such as cellular media and tissue/cell collection solutions. I acquired skills in proper aseptic techniques working in ISO 7 clean rooms and gained experience in managing and cleaning various laboratory equipment such as liquid nitrogen cryopreservation tanks, incubators and biological hoods. Show less

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  U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

  May 2019 - Aug 2019

  Summer Research Intern

  Through the Washington Center research program for HBCU/MI, I completed a research project on designing the delay chemistry for palladium nanoparticle enzymatically catalyzed immunoassays. This entailed manufacturing palladium and gold nanoparticles and testing the sensitivity using ELISA plate assays and Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Subsequently, I developed simple immunoassays using a BioDot system and subjected the devices to testing using different methods to delay the enzymatic activity of the palladium nanoparticles. My work at NRL was published in an academic journal. Show less

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  Vascular Perfusion Solutions, Inc.

  May 2020 - now

  VPS is a small company working to improve the current preservation methods for organ transplants - starting with the heart. To assist in bringing the VP.S Encore cardiac preservation device to market, I work in the research and development of VP.S technology. I manage and established protocols for a large animal working heart/Langendorff system to reanimate hearts to a beating state and assess contractility and viability in over 100 hearts and counting. I record and analyze data using PowerLab, LabChart, GraphPad Prism, and Microsoft Excel. I play a key role in developing Manufacturing protocols and built a device inventory tracking system from the ground up. I conduct various engineering development testing and experiments to further validate the VP.S technology. To advance the field of organ preservation, I assist in writing research articles and act as Grant Manager organizing and writing proposals for funding. Show less

  • Quality Engineer

    Jun 2024 - now

  • Research Engineer

    May 2020 - Jun 2024