Jess Carlson
SF Bay Area
Summary
Results-driven scientific leader with 12 years of expertise in cross-functional collaboration, project management, and process optimization. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and mentoring teams to achieve strategic milestones in gene editing operations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Scientist II, MSaAT
Novo Nordisk, Cell Therapy R&D
04.2022 - 10.2025
- Led the technology transfer of hypoimmune cell line production to cGMP in accordance with quality regulations.
- Managed development timelines and reported on progress towards process optimization milestones to the global project leadership team.
- Designed and optimized complex automation workflows for a multi-instrument system, aimed at high-throughput monoclonal isolation from gene edited pools, expansion, cryopreservation and analytical assay preparation.
- Analyzed and modeled process timing to optimize schedules, prioritizing tasks for entire team of professionals.
- Supervised and mentored junior team members, providing guidance on process development and experiment execution.
- Analyzed data to assess process efficacy and safety profiles.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance project outcomes and efficiencies.
- Led preparation of technical reports and presentations for stakeholders.
- Troubleshot instrumentation malfunctions or errors encountered during experiments and engineering runs.
- Developed test strategies to evaluate system performance under various conditions.
- Monitored quality control standards for all laboratory equipment and materials used in experiments.
Manager, Gene Editing Operations
PACT Pharma
05.2020 - 02.2022
- Managed a high-performing clinical lab operations team of 8, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.
- Directed production timelines and oversaw cross-functional process improvement initiatives, driving operational efficiency, specifically a four-fold increase in throughput.
- Provided specialized expertise in gene editing to the CTO and Target Selection Committee, influencing key strategic decisions and project direction.
- Led team meetings to discuss objectives, challenges, and performance updates.
- Provided leadership during times of major organizational change.
- Facilitated communication between departments via daily stand-up meetings to enhance collaboration and support.
- Regularly conducted performance review and provided individualized feedback and coaching.
- Led the troubleshooting and restoration efforts for the molecular cloning process of the gene editing clinical pipeline.
- Oversaw the authoring and curation of process, assay and quality control protocols (SOPs) for the clinical gene editing process.
- Maintained stringent quality standards by identifying and resolving any issues which might adversely impact the quality of clinical pipeline deliverables or employee or patient safety
- Monitored compliance with safety protocols and conducted regular safety audits.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired qualified candidates to fill open positions.
- Presented on introductory gene editing and the clinical pipeline for internal and external groups.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
Associate Scientist, Metabolic Engineering
Intrexon
03.2016 - 01.2020
- Developed a HTP mutagenesis protocol, selection method and screening assay using process automation to generate and detect mutations conferring tolerance.
- Engineered, developed and assessed gene-edited combinatorial libraries, strategically searching for synergistic modifications that advance research initiatives.
- Collaborated with analytics department to test resulting strains for production of desired organic compound.
- Presented findings to the larger project team and strain engineering department.
Education
BS - Molecular Biology
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
Certificate - Applied Data Science and AI
MIT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Skills
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Employee Development
- Project Management
- Gene Editing of T cells & hESC
- HTP Screening and Selection
- Automation Workflow Design
- Operation and Programming of Liquid Handlers
- FluentControl and Momentum
- Assay Development
- Process Development
- Technical writing
- Technology Transfer to cGMP
- Molecular Cloning
- Data Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Python
- Jmp
- Spotfire
- NGS Preparation and Analysis
- Antibody-based Cell Isolation
- Process automation and optimization
- Standard operating procedure development
- Experimental design (DOE)
- Cell culture
- Public speaking
- Microsoft Excel proficiency
References
- Anja Beard, 206-954-2652, anjabeard99@gmail.com
- Rekha Nair, 650-622-2794, rekha.nair29@gmail.com
Timeline
Associate Scientist II, MSaAT
Novo Nordisk, Cell Therapy R&D
04.2022 - 10.2025
Manager, Gene Editing Operations
PACT Pharma
05.2020 - 02.2022
Associate Scientist, Metabolic Engineering
Intrexon
03.2016 - 01.2020
BS - Molecular Biology
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
Certificate - Applied Data Science and AI
MIT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION