Edgar A. Machuca
San Jose,CA
Summary
Dynamic laboratory operations leader with a proven track record in enhancing pipeline workflows and driving continuous improvement in methods and turnaround times. Expertise in nucleic acid manipulation for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Oncology labs, complemented by a strong foundation in Molecular Biology techniques, including Real-Time PCR, qPCR, and ddPCR. Skilled in developing independent testing methods, authoring standard operating procedures (SOPs), and standardizing processes while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely product delivery. Adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing assignments effectively, and providing comprehensive training to scientists at all levels. Recent graduate with foundational knowledge in Molecular Biology and hands-on experience gained through academic projects and internships. Demonstrates strong teamwork, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Prepared to start career and make meaningful contributions with commitment and drive.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Research and Development Scientist
Geckogen
08.2009 - Current
- Gecko sequencing project.
- Search for noble genes to benefit human health.
- Commercial plan to offer reptile sequencing services to the public and individual collectors.
- Sex, phenotype and pathogen assay design
- Implementation of new technologies to produce a self-sustaining smart habitat.
- Manages and mentors students at a university level as a collaboration to build the scientists of the future.
Senior R&D Product Development - Remote
Tecnologico De Monterrey
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Participation with Geckogen as an industry partner for Tecnologico de Monterrey students in internship projects in the January-June 2024 semester.
- Project lead from conception to design leads undergraduates to develop a dosing mechanism to automate Correlophus cilliatus feeding.
- Defines product parameters and functions deliver of a ready to manufacture product blueprint prints.
- Participation with Geckogen as an industry partner for Tecnologico de Monterrey students in internship projects in the August-December 2023 semester.
- Lead students from various undergraduate programs on 3 different projects comprehensively with direct supervision.
- Leads development of a mobile app
- Leads creation of a new website for the Company.
- Design of a smart terrarium to support Gecko enthusiasts and professional collectors.
- All three projects had an element of integration that enabled the teams to interact as one.
- Agile approx in using scrum to manage this complex portfolio of projects.
- The result of this work was prototypes that will be improved in the August-December 2024 semester.
Lab Manager (Molecular Biology Scientist)
Safetraces
01.2020 - 11.2022
- Assay Design for product adulteration.
- Technical expert for cross contamination studies, method, and report.
- Leads effort in new technology development for qPCR QC metrics.
- Implements lab improvement and lab re-design to increase data and process quality.
- Equipment maintenance and calibration schedules maintenance.
- Technical expert in veriDART development
- Production management, organizes and assigns projects for on time customer delivery.
- Lab qualification lead to qualify third party labs Ametek, SGS, Eurofins for veriDART for assay and production collaborations.
- Reagent manufacturing, QC and stability studies.
- Stability veriDART pathogen like indicator product
- Built and standardized documentation and standard practices
- Submission of European approval documentation forms for product approval
Scientist III (Molecular Biology)
Thermo Fisher Scientific R&D
05.2018 - 06.2019
- Participate in new product development of De Novo 510K Assayed Control following design control procedure.
- Work under GDP, cGMP, ISO13845 compliant environment.
- Design execute and analyze the accelerated and real-time stability studies for Molecular Control product using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system.
- Subject matter expert in Molecular Biology techniques including RNA extraction, reverse transcription, dPCR, ddPCR.
- Author of manufacturing documents, SOPs, QCIs with strong technical skills to create easy-to-understand workflow.
Senior Molecular Biologist (Sample Preparation)
QuantumCyte, Inc.
01.2017 - 04.2018
- Single cell analysis technology Molecular Biology development and optimization
- Mammalian Cell propagation and upkeep of cell cultures, Cell count, harvest, and normalization.
- Cell printing and reagent dispensing utilizing ultra-low liquid handling Cellenion by Scienion.
- Sample preparation, Lysis, RNA extraction, cDNA via RT-qPCR, as well as quantification of both mRNA and DNA.
- Experimental design and Workflow optimization.
- Consumable and reagent inventory ordering and upkeep.
- Conducts lab qualifications and maintenance of automation and other equipment.
- Analyses Cell integrity and QC using fluorescence Microscopy using Keyence series microscope.
Scientist II Sample Preparation
Thermo Fisher Scientific R&D Clinical Sequencing Division
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Participates Development of next generation sequencing (NGS) based multiplex cancer diagnostic IVD products in FDA regulated environment.
- Collects and analyses data for final disposition using pre-approved documentation as well as troubleshoot assays.
- Establishes and manages QC metrics, and data trending.
- Sample Prep RNA extraction from Fresh Frozen Tumour, Para film Embedded Tissue, Slide Fixed Tissue, Resected Tissue and Needle Biopsy Tissue using Recover Total Nucleic Acid Isolation kit.
- Assessment of Functional RNA concentration post extraction using Nanodrop, as well as RT-qPCR on Life Technologies QuantStudio QX.
- Normalization of Functional RNA; Generation of cDNA from mRNA; Amplicon production destined for Library Preparation.
- Library Preparation utilizing various enzymatic processes such as digestion, adapter ligation, and DNA purification to Sequencing on Ion Torrent NGS.
- Data analysis using JMP, result interpretation, presents findings to the Team.
Sample Preparation Molecular Biologist II
Complete Genomics Inc.
03.2013 - 01.2016
- Lab qualification for daily production activities via pass/fail assays on liquid handlers and lab instruments.
- Works with automation in implementing and suggesting process improvements.
- In coming sample physical check in inspections.
- Sample dilution, transfers and normalization via automation and by manual pipetting.
- LIMS/AMS/ORACLE/SPOTFIRE/EPICORE lab tracking systems, real time data analysis, real time data analysis and data up loading.
- High throughput gDNA extraction from Blood and Saliva on QIA-Symphony SP, low throughput extraction utilizing commercial kits.
- GDNA quantitation utilizing Pico green assay.
- GDNA integrity and quality analysis via Agarose gel electrophoresis.
- SNP genotyping and gender QC via a micro fluidic assay
- Data analysis, Pass/Fail determinations of gDNA samples, sample QC report generation for customers.
- Sample re-array to create a 96 well plate batch via automation/manually.
- GDNA fragmentation via sonication-based method, normalization of sheared samples.
- GDNA two-step fractionation via bead purification on KingFisher platform.
- Sample Prep data analysis and Pass/Fail determination for the next Library process.
- Tests run validates and implements automation scripts for Tecan and Hamilton liquid handling platforms.
Lead Molecular Biologist
Library Construction Lead Molecular Biologist
06.2012 - 03.2013
- Interacts with multiple shifts for data and process hand offs.
- Transfer new assays to automation from R&D teams to the Library team
- Training of new hires on Library creation process.
- Trouble shoots and assists team members on Library production processes.
- Contributes to preparing genomic libraries.
Molecular Biologist II
Library Construction Molecular Biologist II
07.2010 - 06.2012
- Independently prepared genomic libraries from customer gDNA with production scale processes.
- Manipulates nucleic acids using a variety of enzymatic methods to generate and QC sequencing substrates.
- Normalization and quantitation of substrates and PCR products
- Monitors data quality and trouble shoots template and PCR unusual yields.
- QC real time analysis via SDS page gel electrophoresis
- Real time update of LIMS/AMS lab tracking for process workflow.
- Writes and implements SOP and PPI writing for new processes.
- Contributed to the continuous improvement of novel library construction processes.
- Validates and implements automation scripts.
Research Associate
Pacific Biosciences
01.2008 - 08.2009
- Contributions in the development and operation of High Throughput screening of enzyme Libraries.
- Transformation of plasmid using E.coli, makes competent cells destined for transformation.
- Defines lag, log and plateau phase curve for cell cultures carrying new mutations.
- Growth small (96 well plate) and large scale (500ml) of E.coli cultures. Monitors culture growth via absorbance and observable densities.
- Propagation of E.coli cell cultures in large scale as well as 96 well plate using a high throughput nickel and heparin protein purification.
- SDS gel analysis of protein purity and concentration via Bradford.
- Next-generation sequencing screening.
Research Technician
DOE Joint Genome Institute
04.2007 - 12.2007
- Data collection for DNA production sequencing tasks on ABI 3730, Megabase sequencing platforms.
- Schedules and maintains sequencers running to full capacity.
- Analysis and quality control of the sequencing data.
- Array QC analysis based on cumulative well maps, average signal intensity and overall array performance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Molecular and Cell Developmental Biology
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA01.2006
Skills
- Nucleic Acid Extraction: RNA, DNA, mRNA, gDNA
- Protein Purification: Transformation, Expression, Purification
- Cell Culture: Mammalian, Bacterial
- Sample preparation: QC, Quantification, Size selection, Report
- Library preparation: DNA repair, Ligation, Digestion, PCR, Purification
- Sequencing: gPCR, Substrate prep
- Automation: Liquid handler, LIMS
- Software: LIMS, Mondaycom, Zendesk, Microsoft, IOS
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior R&D Product Development - Remote
Tecnologico De Monterrey
08.2023 - 12.2024
Lab Manager (Molecular Biology Scientist)
Safetraces
01.2020 - 11.2022
Scientist III (Molecular Biology)
Thermo Fisher Scientific R&D
05.2018 - 06.2019
Senior Molecular Biologist (Sample Preparation)
QuantumCyte, Inc.
01.2017 - 04.2018
Scientist II Sample Preparation
Thermo Fisher Scientific R&D Clinical Sequencing Division
10.2016 - 10.2017
Sample Preparation Molecular Biologist II
Complete Genomics Inc.
03.2013 - 01.2016
Lead Molecular Biologist
Library Construction Lead Molecular Biologist
06.2012 - 03.2013
Molecular Biologist II
Library Construction Molecular Biologist II
07.2010 - 06.2012
Research and Development Scientist
Geckogen
08.2009 - Current
Research Associate
Pacific Biosciences
01.2008 - 08.2009
Research Technician
DOE Joint Genome Institute
04.2007 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science - Molecular and Cell Developmental Biology
University of California
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