Professional Experience

A journey from academic research to biotech industry, specializing in spatial genomics, process development, and automation.

Career Timeline

Professional Journey

Staff Engineer, Spatial Genomics R&D

Takara Bio USA, Inc.
Jan 2025 - Present
San Jose, CA

Team lead for many spatial genomics R&D engineering initiatives. Responsible for developing and scaling manufacturing processes, implementing automation solutions, and driving technical innovation for next-generation products.

Key Achievements

  • Led engineering initiative for process improvement and scaling
  • Designed high-throughput bioinformatics pipeline for spatial genomics data analysis
  • Collaborated within R&D and production teams to accelerate new product commercialization

Key Skills

Spatial GenomicsProcess AutomationManufacturing ScalingTechnical Leadership

Senior Process Engineer II

Curio Bioscience
2024 - 2025
Palo Alto, CA

Developed and scaled manufacturing processes for spatial biology products. Focused on workflow optimization and transition from research to production environments.

Key Achievements

  • Continually improved manufacturing processes for Seeker (R) and Trekker (R) spatial transcriptomics products
  • Implemented quality control systems ensuring high process reliability
  • Led process efficiency initiatives for increased production throughput
  • Supported successful product launches through process development and manufacturing improvements

Key Skills

Process ScalingManufacturingSpatial BiologyComputer VisionImage AnalysisPython

Senior Process Development Engineer

Curio Bioscience
2022 - 2023
Palo Alto, CA

Developed and optimized manufacturing workflows for biotech products. Designed and implemented automation solutions to improve efficiency and reproducibility.

Key Achievements

  • Provided technical expertise in microscopy, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping
  • Designed process automation tools reducing manual intervention
  • Established standard operating procedures for new processes

Key Skills

Process DevelopmentAutomationSpatial BiologyR&D

Postdoctoral Researcher

Michigan State University
2018 - 2022
East Lansing, MI

Conducted advanced research in synthetic biology, microbial consortia, and bioengineering.

Key Achievements

  • Designed, executed, and analyzed experiments using microbes for sustainable bioproduction of sucrose
  • Developed a tunable protein degradation system in cyanobacteria
  • Studied a light‑driven, modular platform based on cyanobacteria for fundamental insight into emergent microbial interactions within consortia using both computational and experimental methodology
  • Led a team developing genetic circuits based on quorum sensing for use in cyanobacteria and microbial consortia
  • Co‑authored 3 peer‑reviewed journal articles on molecular tools for cyanobacteria and protein‑based nanomaterials in current position
  • Mentored 7 graduate and 3 undergraduate students in synthetic biology, leading to 2 co‑authorships on peer‑reviewed journal articles
  • Established collaborations with scientists and engineers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Center For Nanophase Materials and Newcastle University for studying microbial communities, leading to 3 upcoming journal articles

Key Skills

Synthetic BiologyComputational BiologyMicroscopyBioimage Analysis

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Minnesota
2012 - 2018
Minneapolis, MN

Doctoral research focused on living material engineering and biodegradation/biocatalysis applications.

Key Achievements

  • Designed, synthesized, and characterized new porous silica nanomaterials for bioencapsulation (physical confinement) of bacteria for applications in biotechnology
  • Authored 7 peer-reviewed journal articles and filed 3 patent applications on bioencapsulation of microbes for water remediation and biocatalysis
  • Collaborated with a multi‑disciplinary team of biochemists, microbiologists, and engineers to meet overarching project goals
  • Communicated research output through oral and poster presentations at regional, national, and international conferences
  • Mentored 6 undergraduate students in materials testing, biochemical assays, and bioencapsulation, leading to co‑authorship on a peer‑reviewed journal article

Key Skills

Engineering Living MaterialsMechanical TestingMicroscopySpectroscopyBiointerface CharacterizationDesign of Experiments

Academic Foundation

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN
2012 - 2018

Focus: Engineered Living Materials, Biocatalysis, Biomaterials

Thesis: Engineering Biocatalytic Materials: Encapsulation Systems for Biotechnology

BS in Mechanical Engineering

University of Portland

Portland, OR
2005 - 2009

Focus: Mechanical Systems, Materials Science, Engineering Design

Technical Expertise

Core Competencies

Process Development

Manufacturing Scaling
Workflow Optimization
Quality Systems
Process Validation
Automation Design

Biotechnology

Spatial Biology
Synthetic Biology
Biomaterials
Cell Culture
Bioprocess Engineering

Technical Skills

Python Programming
Data Analysis
Microscopy
CAD Design
Laboratory Automation

Research & Development

Experimental Design
Statistical Analysis
Technical Writing
Project Management
Collaboration

Engineering Design

Mechanical Systems
Prototype Development
Equipment Specification
Process Controls
Safety Systems

Leadership

Team Management
Cross-functional Collaboration
Mentoring
Strategic Planning
Communication

Let's Work Together

Interested in discussing process development opportunities, biotech innovation, or technical collaboration?

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