Stefani Mancuso, R&D Scientist and Lab & Research Specialist

Richmond, VA 23230 - actjsw@r.postjobfree.com - 540-***-****

To become more proficient with the roles and responsibilities of a principal investigator. To become more proficient at troubleshooting PK, IM, and Nab assays as well as complete the research and writing for a substantial amount of publications this year.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Laboratory and Research Specialist I

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA – January 2016-present

Techniques used:

Aseptic survival surgery and imaging on mice

Tissue culture

Flow cytometry

PCR

Histology

Other responsibilities include:

Mentor students

Manage extensive mouse colony

Lab administration duties including ordering, inventory, research, writing SOPs/protocols and publications

Lab management role

Immunochemistry R&D Scientist

PPD, Inc - Richmond, VA - May 2011 to July-2015

Developed and validated PKs, IMs, and Nab assays using the following platforms: ELISA, ECL, and DNA hybridization. Acted as PI on small projects which included the following listed below:

Preparing methods and validation plans

Planning and designing all assays required per the val. Plan

Completing all calculations for a particular sample prep followed by preparation

Preforming clear and concise documentation of all experimental write ups in either the notebook or on benchsheets

Preparing benchsheets, runlists, and platemaps

Reviewing runs, benchsheets, and notebook for documentation errors

Analyzing data to ensure it is acceptable so all data tables can be formulated for the client and the validation report

Troubleshooting if data is unacceptable and prepare for a repeat assay

Other responsibilities included:

Biotinylation and ruthenylation of compounds

Prepare scripts for automated Tecan system as well as complete sample prep using various programs

Experience with Wallac, Hamilton automated system, and Gryo

Using good laboratory practices and stay up-to-date on all SOPs, new technologies, and new troubleshooting ideas

Acting as the team mentor to younger more inexperienced teammates

Maintaining a reagent inventory spreadsheet for real time inventory numbers

(I developed this tracking system, which the production team adopted)

Maintaining instruments and pipets within the lab including weekly calibration test and/or monthly maintenance

Laboratory and Research Specialist I-II

University of Virginia - October 2005 to October 2006

Techniques used:

Voltage clamp & patch clamp

BSA protein assays

Fluorescent microscopy

Fixation of lung tissue for slices and immunohistochemistry

Differential and hymocytometer cell counts

RT-PCRs & PCRs

Flow Cytometry, cell surface & intracellular

Western Blots & Southern Blots

ELISAs & ELISPOTS

Immunohistochemistry & immunofluorescence

Ligations and mini-preps

Substantial amount of cell culture

FISH

E. Coli cultures for protein expression

Other responsibilities:

Trained to properly dissect dorsal root ganglia from L4-L5 in rats

Took care of breeding colonies of knockout mice

Performed sterile pneumonectomies, thoracotomies, and bronchoaveolar lavage on mice

Wrote SOPs and protocols/methods, and run statistical test using Excel and SPSS

Completed UVA’s training on animal surgical procedures and proper sterile technique

Managed lab by teaching/managing undergraduates

Took care of a large mouse colony by keeping detailed records and database

Genotyped/phenotyped mice from colony

Set up mouse model experiments by completing splenectomies, adenoviral or vaccinia virus tail vein injections, IP antibody injections, and collection of bone marrow stem cells

Complete purchase orders through UVA Marketplace and Oracle

Analyzed flow cytometry results with FlowJo and Prism

Completed UVA’s training on radioactive material safety and irradiator use; became certified to use both

Took care of colony of mice as well as transplant xenografted tumors, implant human tumors, and monitor passaged tumors

Managed FileMaker Pro database of human tumor samples, xenograft tumor samples, and mice

EDUCATION

M.S. in Biotechnology Studies

University of Maryland University College 2006 to 2010

B.S. in Biology

James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA 1999 to 2004

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Authorship: Cell-specific alterations of T-type calcium current in painful neuropathy enhance excitability of sensory neurons in Journal of Neuroscience and Development and characterization of xenograft model systems for adenoid cystic carcinoma in Laboratory Investigations.

Being that I have 5 years of experience in academic research and 5 years experience in R&D immunochemistry drug development, I have been exposed to a wide variety of techniques as well as many different types of research projects with my strong points in ELISA and MSD development and flow cytometry. am extremely precise, accurate, and knowledgeable. I am very meticulous about my lab work and my documentation leading to few mistakes. I appreciate working on a good solid team because problems are solved more efficiently. However, I consider myself an independent worker that handles fast paced environments and multitasking well.

Having a master's in bioinformatics, I have been exposed to many different computer models and ways to analyze high throughput DNA sequence data. For my master thesis, the soybean high throughput DNA sequence data was analyzed for a potential cause of the disease rust so the USDA could develop a GMO resistant to soybean rust. A computer-based pipeline was developed and used to identify potential rust causing miRNAs with cDNA contigs. Using Perl, MySQL, the BLAST algorithm, a program was written to search for potential miRNAs in many different databases; fold potential sequences into its secondary structure, and verified using Patscan, RNAfold, and MIRcheck . The verified microRNAs were then used to identify gene targets using miRU and psRNAtarget. 770 unique miRNAs sequences were confirmed in at least 2 databases, mirBase and PMRD; 101 were confirmed hits in the PMRD promoter region of the miRNA. The potential sequences were then given to the USDA; they were then studied and verified/discarded by wet lab techniques. I have experience using the following programming languages: R, Perl, Java, SQL, Oracle, C++, and visual basics. Lastly, I am proficient in Microsoft Office suite including access, SPSS, FlowJo, FileMaker, Prism, CisPro, CIMS, Assist (PPD oracle), ELN, Trackwise, and Spectramax, MSD plate ready system, robotic automated systems including Tecan, Hamilton, and Gyro.

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