Samuel Gowland
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Innovative and results-driven scientist with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience in synthetic biology, genome engineering, and bioprocess development. Proven track record of designing, optimizing, and scaling biological processes, with strong expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, strain engineering, high-throughput data analysis, and laboratory automation. Adept at cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and data-driven decision-making. Passionate about advancing cell-based technologies and delivering impactful scientific solutions.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Fellow
Georgia Institute of Technology
12.2022 - 11.2023
- Designed and built genome-integrated biomolecular logic operations and controls in industrial cell chassis using CRISPR/Cas9
- Developed high-throughput pipelines for analyzing cell growth and process optimization from 10,000+ data points per experiment
- Improved lab workflows by transitioning to more efficient DNA purification methods and reducing mutagenesis risks, enhancing cloning success rates
- Mentored an undergraduate student in molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication
- Presented research outcomes at Georgia Tech’s Postdoctoral Research Symposium
Graduate Researcher
Northwestern University
12.2017 - 08.2022
- Invented a novel genome engineering platform capable of up to 400 million edits/mL/OD in living E. coli
- Engineered novel E. coli strains for enhanced translation machinery and metabolic performance, resulting in up to 71% growth rates
- Developed and scaled high-throughput adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) workflows for strain optimization
- Built custom Python-based data analysis pipelines to streamline next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis and growth rate data processing
Synthetic Biology Intern
lululemon athletica
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Applied synthetic biology expertise to guide strategic decisions for future product innovations
Education
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Northwestern University
Evanston12-2022
Bachelor of Science - (1) Biochemistry, Minor Math (2) Molecular Biology
Arizona State University
Tempe05-2017
Skills
- Upstream process development
- Fermentation (up to 10L)
- Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Reactor design / unit operations
- CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing
- Protein expression and purification
- Plasmid design and assembly
- Python (Pandas, Scikit-learn, NumPy, Matplotlib)
- Project management
- Technical communication / stakeholder value translation
- Leadership and mentoring
Publications
Gowland, S. and M. C. Jewett (2022). "Mobile Translation Systems Generate Genomically Engineered Escherichia coli Cells with Improved Growth Phenotypes." ACS Synthetic Biology.
Timeline
Postdoctoral Fellow
Georgia Institute of Technology
12.2022 - 11.2023
Synthetic Biology Intern
lululemon athletica
06.2021 - 08.2021
Graduate Researcher
Northwestern University
12.2017 - 08.2022
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science - (1) Biochemistry, Minor Math (2) Molecular Biology
Arizona State University