Quality Assurance Manager

Candace N. Burnette, M.S.

**** ***** ***** ***** 12-410-***-****

Frederick, MD 21702 ************@***.***

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Analytical and detailed scientist with expertise in the fields of biodefense, food and clinical microbiology. Highly competent in performing work in a BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 environment and have over 10 years experience identifying and characterizing BSL-2 and BSL-3 select agents. Experienced in writing lab reports, proficient in data analysis and able to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team. Currently maintaining at TS clearance, BPRP and DHS suitability.

EDUCATION:

M.S. Food and Agricultural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD

B.S. Biology, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Mar 08 – present

Bacteriology Specialist, National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center

Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI), Frederick, MDProvide technical and administrative support for the Department of Homeland Security’s Biological Threat (NBTCC) Characterization Center and the Bioforensics Analysis Center (NBFAC)Collaborates with other scientists to develop, manage and analyze research critical to the mission of the NBACCSupports large and small scale research experiments on bacterial physiology, growth kinetics, plasmid stability, resistance profiling, and strain viabilityPerforms Bacteriology related operations for the recovery, identification and characterization of suspected bacterial pathogens contained in bioforensic samplesPerforms work with select agents in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratoriesParticipates in the review and reporting of approved studiesIdentifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrencesPresents research in written and oral formatsSupports NBTCC as a project team lead under the supervision of a Project Lead/Principle InvestigatorProvides cross- training to less experienced staffOrganizes, plans and executes small scale research experimentsServes as an area Laboratory Space Manager (LSM) As LSM, interacts with the NBACC safety department on Risk Assessments of agents to registered for use in the laboratoryAs LSM, monitors all work in the laboratory space, ensures that staff adhere to safety and quality requirements, verifies completion of training/qualifications for staff entering the laboratory space and authorizes and removes access of staff to the laboratoryIndependently writes research protocols, SOPs and reports

Mar 05 – Sept 07

Associate Scientist, Becton Dickenson Diagnostic Systems

Core Microbiology-Research and Development, Hunt Valley, MDAssisted in the completion of the AOAC RI Validation testing for CHROMagar Staphylococcus aureusProvided technical support in the development of chromogenic media for isolation of MRSA and VREIsolated and identified various clinical and food related pathogenic bacteria from human and food specimensAssisted in the development of experiments, analysis of results, and interpretation/reporting of resultsIdentified and developed approaches to solving problems associated with developing media formulations Conducted all quarterly and annual safety audits for the core microbiology group

Sept 03 – Mar 05

Microbiologist, Icelandic, USA

Quality Assurance, Cambridge, MDPerformed microbiological and environmental testing on seafood products and manufacturing equipmentAnalyzed, interpreted and recorded results for all tests Reported lab test results in writing and orally at Quality Assurance meetingsAssisted Research and Development staff by performing shelf life and analytical studies on new food productsPerformed daily inspections of the production and manufacturing areaPerformed investigations relevant to food or environmental contamination and provided expertise to the production and sanitation departments to resolve contamination issuesParticipated in external audits

Jan 00 – Sept 03

Research Technician

Department of Natural and Agricultural Science, UMES, Princess Anne, MDPerformed collaborative studies with the USDA-ARS, and FDA-CFSAN as a graduate studentAssisted in developing primary and secondary survival models relevant to risk assessment with the USDA-ARSPerformed experiments on the effect of inhibitory solutions and cold stress on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on cold smoked salmon at refrigeration temperatures Investigated the effect of temperature and the presence of Salmonella typhimurium on the survival kinetics of Campylobacter jejuni on a food matrix and in brothConducted research on the effects of salt and phosphate solutions on the survival of Salmonella typhirmirum and Campylobacter jejuni on cooked chicken breast pattiesProvided training for undergraduate students and assisted in developing protocols for their independent study projects

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:

Many general and specific microbial identification techniques: slide agglutination, bacteriophage, motility, DFA, MIC determination, etc.Automated Plating & CountingAPI 20E and API 50E, and Biolog IdentificationCross trained in performing surgical techniques with rodents and rabbitsMicrosoft Office, Equation ASP, Cyber TrainTrained and/or certified in ISO 17025, ISO 9001, and LRN guidelines Trained in BSL-4 safety and operations (Emory University)GMP/GLP

SECURITY CLEARANCES:

Top-Secret (DoD), DHS suitability (DHS), SRA (DoJ), BPRP enrolled (USAMRIID, DoD)

AFFILIATIONS:

June 08 – Present American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Aug 01 – Dec 03 International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)

Aug 01 – Dec 03 International Association for Food Technology (IFT)

REFERENCES: References available upon request

PUBLICATIONS:

C.N. Burnette and K.S. Yoon. 2004. THESIS Comparison of Growth and Survival Kinetics of Salmonella typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni on Cooked Chicken Breast Stored under Aerobic Conditions at Various Temperatures. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 13(6): 796-800.

K. S. Yoon, C.N. Burnette, and T. P. Oscar. 2003. Development of Predictive Models for the Survival of Campylobacter jejuni on Cooked Chicken Patty and in Broth as a Function of Temperature. J. Food Prot. 67(1):64-70.

K.S. Yoon, C.N. Burnette, and R. C. Whiting. 2003. The Effect of pH and Agitation on the Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in brain Heart Infusion (BHI) Broth Containing combined Potassium Lactated and Sodium Diacetate during storage at 4 or 10C. J. Food Prot. 66(8):1469-1473.

K.S. Yoon, C. N. Burnette, K.A. AbouZeid, R. C. Whiting. 2003. Growth and survival of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on Smoked Salmon Treated with Combined Potassium Lactate and Sodium Diacetate during Refrigeration and Extended Frozen Storage. J. Food Prot. 67(11):2465-2471.

K.S. Yoon and C. N. Burnette. 2002. Survival of Campylobacter jejuni during Refrigerated and Frozen Storage on Sterile Ground chicken Breast Patties Prewashed with Salt and Phosphate Solutions. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 11(3):316-319.

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