Quality Maintenance

M ATTHEW C . N EFF

*** ******** ***** **** *******, OK 74063 785-***-**** ***.****@*****.***

PROFILE: RESEARCH SCIENTIST / LAB TECHNICIAN

Outstanding track record of championing and facilitating quality, safety, efficiency, and cost improvements for new

product development and laboratory operations.

Solution-oriented professional with five years of success identifying and driving opportunities to optimize efficiency, improve

accuracy, elevate quality, and reduce costs. Recognized for consistently meeting timelines/deadlines, collaborating across

functions, and providing analytical expertise for critical issues. Technically astute with strong mechanical aptitude and

reputation as instrument expert skilled in retrofitting equipment and instruments to expand capabilities and meet functional

needs.

“Due to Matt’s critical thinking and attention to detail, new analytical capabilities have been developed according to

timeline.” ~ Gerhard Zehentbaur, Senior Scientist at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center

“Matt developed a robust method, completed tests, and reported results in a timely manner. He demonstrated his

scientific and solution-finding abilities by building rapid-search libraries.” ~ Ellen Lauber, Manager of Early Research

Flavor Innovation, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES INCLUDE:

Highly skilled in instrumental identification and quantification of volatile components by static and dynamic

headspace sampling - SPME and Twister.

Well-versed in gas chromatography/olfactometry, including Aroma Extract Dilution Assay; gas chromatography / mass

spectroscopy including 2D Time of Flight mass spectrometry, and statistical Data evaluation by Principal Component Analysis,

SAS, and Minitab.

Eliminating irregularities and/or quality deficiencies by recording, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating test data

to manufacturing.

Planning, scheduling, executing, and/or overseeing equipment, instrumentation, and production line maintenance and

calibrations.

Managing laboratory operations, analyses, and safety to ensure internal/external regulatory compliance, superior quality

standards, optimal efficiency and output levels, and cost-effective operations.

CORE COMPETENCIES INCLUDE:

Project Design & Management Quality Assurance & Control Analytical Instrumentation

Documentation & Reporting Preventive Maintenance Scheduling Laboratory Inventory Management

Data Analysis & Interpretation Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis Safety Protocols / Management

Cost Avoidance & Reduction Process & Productivity Improvements Regulatory, Legal & Audit Compliance

TECHNICAL SKILLS INCLUDE:

Methodologies: Gas Chromatography/ Mass spectrometry including Headspace, Liquids, Thermal Desorption, SPME,

GC-Olfactrometry, SAFE Distillation, Mineral analysis by ICP, and Wet Chemistry

Testing Tools: GC/MS, GC/FID, GC/TOF, GC-O, ICP, UV-VIS, Bio-analyzers, HPLC, RVA

Software: ChromaTOF, Chemstation, Agilent DRS, NIST Database, Amdis32, OpenLab, MiniTAB, Pirouette

Chemometrics, SAS, and Microsoft Office Suite

Instrumentation: Gas Chromatographs, Agilent GC and Mass Spectrometers, Leco Pegasus 2D-GC-TOF, Gerstel and

Agilent Autosamplers, Perkin Elmer ICP, Agilent Cary60 UV-vis Spectrophotometer

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HILLS PET NUTRITION, INC. – Topeka, KS April 2011 – Present

A ssociate Scientist R&D

Manage laboratory operations encompassing chemical inventory maintenance, lab supplies procurement, and annual equipment

preventive maintenance scheduling. Ensure reproducible chromatography and optimal instrument performance by conducting

weekly calibration checks for three GC/MS systems and GC/TOF. Operate GC/MS, GC-O, GC/FID, GC/AED, and GC/TOF

instruments to identify key components, prepare specialized samples, develop automated data analysis for compound

identification and quantification, and develop key compound product-specific databases. Reduce costs, improve processes, and

enable product stability assessments by developing new, novel analytical methodologies. Drive product improvements by

evaluating new ingredients and collaborating with vendors to develop new technologies. Document and present research/study

findings to senior management and department leadership.

7-85-393-**** Page 2 o f 2

M atthew C. Neff

Played instrumental role in preventing new product recall by conducting in-depth GC-O analysis of key ingredient

that led to identification and correction of inadequate shipping conditions.

Contributed to 50% reduction in raw ingredient costs, while identifying and resolving quality issues by developing

and performing detailed GC/TOF analysis, leading to implementation of robust quality control screening program.

Facilitated improvement in finished product quality and stability by identifying 60 components of key ingredient

and gaining better understanding of ingredient’s shelf stability, enabling processing optimization.

Boosted throughput 30% by developing and maintaining sample-specific GC/MS, GC/TOF, and GC-O chemical

databases containing information on 300+ known compounds, providing platform for qualitative and quantitative

analysis, and employed on more than 2,500 samples representing 21 products in first year alone.

Tripled sample preparation efficiency by designing device capable of prepping multiple samples simultaneously;

submitted 2 patent applications for devices (in review process).

Enhanced cross-functional collaboration and research capabilities by developing analytical method to use SPME in

rapidly determining component characteristics.

Completed multiple IR (Information Records) submissions that resulted in two current patent applications.

Collaborated in assessment and design of several novel analytical devices.

ADECCO TEMPORARY SERVICES, INC. – Lawrence, KS October 2010 – April 2011

L aboratory Technician Analytical

Worked with senior scientists to provide lab support, including extruded product testing, sample preparation, handling and

cataloging, data compilation and qualitative analysis, product database maintenance, and instrumentation maintenance.

Delivered 100% increase in sample throughput by identifying and capitalizing on opportunity to develop sample

handling method / procedure for degree of gelatinization analysis.

Doubled throughput, standardized lab practices, and boosted efficiency of new hire onboarding / training by

developing and implementing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) for three distinct analyses.

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS – Lawrence, KS June 2009 – May 2010

U ndergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Molecular Biosciences

Supported Principal Investigator (PI) by performing PCR, real-time PCR, southern blot gel electrophoresis, and DNA sample

preparation/storage. Graded and analyzed impulsion and aggression questionnaires; correlated data with individuals’ genotype.

Conducted data compilation and qualitative data analysis.

Contributed to preparation and analysis of DNA samples from convicted female population in two correctional

facilities. Study led to submission of article, “Investigation into the role of Monoamine Oxidase, A Low-Activity

Alleles, in Female Violent Behavior,” to peer-reviewed journal.

EDUCATION

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS – Bachelor of Science in Biology and Genetics

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS – Research Experience Program Certificate

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Helping Hands Habitat for Humanity

Contact this candidate