Siyi Liang
Santa Clara
Summary
Scientist with extensive experience in Microbiology and Molecular biology field, specializing in assay development and optimization. Demonstrated success in leading verification and validation projects, improving workflow efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance. Expertise in troubleshooting complex microbiological issues, contributing to significant research advancements.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist
bioMérieux
San Jose
09.2024 - Current
- Lead verfication and validation (V&V) and performance projects for VITEK REVEAL novel antimicrobial susceptibility (AST) assays, ensuring on-time delivery of milestones.
- Execute experiments supporting algorithm development, feasibility studies, assay optimization, and stability testing.
- Conduct microbiology procedures, including bacterial stock preparation, culturing, and identification.
- Inspect incoming consumables, and ensure product readiness for R&D use.
- Investigate and troubleshoot assay and microbiological issues in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Monitor and analyze data daily, interpreting results to guide decision-making and system optimization.
- Investigated assay performance issues, implementing corrective actions to optimize test results and laboratory workflows.
- Developed SOPs for novel assays, improving workflow efficiency and increasing throughput of testing.
- Prepared reports summarizing research results for presentation to colleagues and management.
- Maintained accurate records of experimental protocols and results in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with other departments within the organization on cross-functional initiatives related to research projects.
- Ensure GLP/GDP compliance and adherence to regulatory and industry standards, including CLSI, ISO 13485, ISO 20776, and OSA.
Research Associate
AnimalBiome
Oakland
07.2022 - 09.2024
- Isolated and cryobanked 400+ bacterial strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions using BD blood bottles.
- Identified hundreds of isolates using MALDI-TOF and genomics tools;
- Conducted AST (disc diffusion, microdilution, E-test) on 300+ isolates and interpreted results, generating large datasets for internal R&D and conferences of Microbiome Movement Summit 2023 and ANAEROBE 2024.
- Performed extensive API profiling, characterizing 100+ novel isolates with high accuracy.
- Led a novel bacteriophage project involving phage isolation and propagation, successfully recovering multiple new phages from environmental samples.
- Designed and led a molecular project determining phylogroups for over 400 E. coli isolates, streamlining workflow, and improving throughput by approximately 30%.
- Performed NGS and whole-genome sequencing on isolates to support taxonomic classification and comparative genomics.
- Developed troubleshooting workflows and maintained instruments, reducing error rates, and improving assay success rates.
Laboratory Technician
AnimalBiome
Oakland
06.2021 - 07.2022
- Extracted DNA from 1,000+ fecal samples, supporting high-throughput microbiome sequencing workflows.
- Developed and optimized SOPs that improved workflow reproducibility and reduced processing time.
- Performed PCR, Illumina 16S, and WGS library prep on hundreds of samples, contributing to customer testing kits, and multiple research projects.
- Responsible for data logging and sample tracking.
- Operated liquid-handling automation, increasing sample processing throughput, and reducing human error.
- Ensured strict GLP and safety adherence, contributing to a high-compliance laboratory environment.
Research program & Laboratory Assistant
UC Davis
Davis
12.2020 - 06.2021
- Learned the interaction between NAD+ homeostasis and calorie restriction-related nutrient sensing pathways, and their regulation in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Plasmid preparation for transfection, stable transfection of S. cerevisiae, DNA extraction and PCR to genotype transfected S. cerevisiae, agarose electrophoresis of DNA samples and imaging, and monitoring/documenting yeast growth in liquid culture and plates.
- Proficient skills in maintaining lab cleanness, storing, pipetting, scales, centrifugation, PCR.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of California, Davis
Davis, California06.2021
Skills
- Microbiology techniques
- Verification and validation
- Assay optimization
- Microbiology procedures
- Data analysis
- Report writing
- Troubleshooting workflows
- Experiment design
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Regulatory compliance
- Spectroscopy techniques
- Molecular bench work
- DNA sequencing
- Gel electrophoresis
Publications
Comparative genomic and phenotypic description of Escherichia ruysiae: a newly identified member of the gut microbiome of the domestic dog., Dione N, Mlaga KD, Liang S, Jospin G, Marfori Z, Alvarado N, Scarsella E, Uttarwar R, Ganz HH, Front. Microbiol., 16, 1558802, 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1558802, 2025
Timeline
Scientist
bioMérieux
09.2024 - Current
Research Associate
AnimalBiome
07.2022 - 09.2024
Laboratory Technician
AnimalBiome
06.2021 - 07.2022
Research program & Laboratory Assistant
UC Davis
12.2020 - 06.2021
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of California, Davis