Project Management, Product Management

Strategic Planning ~ Lean Processing ~ Cross-functional Team Leadership

Qualifications Profile

Results-driven and innovative professional, with extensive experience in research and development in molecular and cellular biology as well as biochemistry; complemented with proven skills in project management. Adept at executing instrumental biological/chemical analysis as well as troubleshooting, development, validation, and transfer methods with consistent results. Articulate communicator and team player; equipped with analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving aptitudes essential in formulating solutions to complex situations.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry, May, 2013

Boston University, Boston, MA

President of the Biology Graduate Student Association

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, May, 2004

University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

Create Your Own Story” Leadership Award, Student and Academic Services and the UNH Parents Association

LeaderShape Institute

Alpha Chi Sigma, Professional and Academic Chemistry Fraternity

Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program

Essential Skills for Supervisors Certificate, Mar, 2016

North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA

Professional Experience

LGC Genomics Beverly, MA

Senior Project Manager, Genotyping and Custom Assays Oct 2015–Present

Supervise three laboratory technicians, which include conducting monthly reviews and monitoring their daily activities to optimize project turnaround time

Work collaboratively with laboratory supply representatives in choosing and purchasing high-quality yet low-cost products to control laboratory costs

Optimize workflow and production by identifying laboratory areas which can be reorganized

Assume project manager duties including administering all facets of the project, from inception to successful completion as well as equipment repairs and preventative maintenance

Researched and purchased racking systems to condense and reduce the number assay and oligo boxes, while designing and implementing the system which provided extra space in the walk-in freezer

Drove efforts in generating savings by streamlining process using smaller amount of assay per plate of DNA

Project Manager, Genotyping and Custom Assays Jan 2015–Oct 2015

Provided keen management to all phases of the project, including the following:

oUtilization of management software for project monitoring and execution, including the internal LIMS system, LeanKit, SharePoint, SmartSheet, MS Excel, and DropBox;

oFacilitation of SNP genotyping experiments through automated platform, such as liquid handlers, assay dispensers, and hydrocyclers;

oAdministration of multi-level data checks to guarantee the delivery of highest quality product to the customer;

oCoordination with the Sales and Customer Service teams to deliver the appropriate service and ship custom assays; and

oClose interface with domestic and international customers to ascertain accuracy of project details, respond to all questions and concerns, and send notifications on completed projects

Spearheaded equipment repair and preventative maintenance, which involved assessment and communication of equipment failures to field service engineers; alignment and calibration of equipment; and scheduling and implementation of monthly preventative maintenance

Research Experience

Agios Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, MA

Associate Scientist Contractor, Rare Genetic Diseases (RGD) Biology Nov 2013– Dec 2014

Structured the methods of assessing glycosylation status and expression of RGD biomarkers, which involved the following initiatives:

oCell-based assays for in vitro assessment of pathway activity in patient fibroblasts; and

oMouse-model plasma sample analysis for disease characterization

Worked collaboratively with CROs in overseeing multiple projects for monoclonal and polyclonal antibody development to identify glycosylation specific forms of a protein of interest; which included the key functions:

oPreparation of sample shipment schedules, while ensuring alignment with all project timelines;

oStrict compliance of project documentation with the laboratory protocols; and

oCreation of in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for final antibody material validation

Took part in executing due diligence process for a compound utilized to treat an RGD and other potential indications by evaluating current medical and scientific peer-reviewed literature, which included performing the following functions:

oAnalysis of biological basis for the use of the compound in an RGD, while providing comparisons of competitive approaches from other companies;

oAssessment of feasibility of the key compound in other hard to treat diseases; and

oPresentation of findings to scientific and management teams

Infinity Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, MA

Research Contractor, Molecular Pathology Jun 2013–Nov 2013

Designed a robust cell-based assay to characterize the sensitivity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines to PI3K inhibitors (IPI-145 and other proprietary compounds) through calculation of IC-50s and combination indexes and identification of the commitment of cells to apoptosis in response to single agent and combined compound treatments

Collaborated with bioinformatics researchers to predict DLBCL subtypes from published microarray and RNAseq data.

Boston University Boston, MA

Mentor: Dr. Thomas D. Gilmore, Department of Biology

Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Student Sep 2007–May 2013

Took charge of characterizing the DLBCL cell lines sensitivity in culture to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and a BH3 mimetic (BCL-2 antagonist) by performing the following:

oElucidation of BCL-2 proteins involvement in HDACi-mediated apoptosis in DLBCL; and

oDevelopment of HDACi-resistant cell line through repetitive treatment cycles while describing the mechanism of the induced HDACi resistance

Handled the dissection of molecular events of a NF-kB miR-155 PU.1 CD10 pathway in B-lymphoma cell lines through the following:

oCreation of a mechanism action by generating retro-virally transduced cell lines, activation of immune responses with LPS and TNFa, and evaluation of cell response

oMapping of the transcription factor response elements (NF- B and PU.1) in the BIC and CD10 promoters

Trained undergraduate and new graduate students on techniques and project design

Administered laboratory activities including purchasing and safety regulations coordination with the Laboratory Safety Department

Participated at regular departmental meetings to present posters at two major conferences and served as speaker at Hematology Program Seminar Series at Boston University Medical School

Joslin Diabetes Center Boston, MA

Mentor: Dr. Alessandro Doria, Section on Genetics and Epidemiology

Research Assistant Jul 2004–Aug 2007

Conducted in-depth investigation on new genes which brought maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) through targeted gene sequencing and analysis with Sequencher software

Conducted population genetics studies through restriction enzyme digestion and single-base extension as well as fluorescence polarization toward the examination of sequence differences associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Held responsibility in processing clinical blood sample and assessing genetic sample for the Advanced Genomics and Genetics Core through extraction of DNA, genotyping, and DNA sequencing for Joslin Diabetes Center accredited laboratories; as well as planning and execution of the DNA sample distribution to external consortiums

Awards and Honors

Boston University Teaching Scholarship, 2010–2013

Boston University Medical School NIH T32 Institutional Training Grant (Hematology), Ruth L. Kirschstein

National Service Research Award, 2008–2010

Boston University Teaching Scholarship, 2007–2008

First Parish Church Scholarship, 2001

Wentworth Douglas Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship, 2001

Cabletron Systems Inc. Scholarship, 2001

Activities

Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award and held highest leadership roles

Boston Ski and Sports Club (BSSC), Soccer player

United States Soccer Federation. Grade Eight Certified Soccer Referee

Technical Acumen

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

NetPrimer Sequencher ImageJ Graph Pad Prism 6 CalculSyn LIMS Systems (StarLIMS and Kraken)

LI-COR Western Analysis SoftMax Pro UCSC Genome Browser NCBI

Articles

Borowiec, M., Liew, C.W., Thompson, R.C., Boonyasrisawat, W., Hu, J., Mlynarski, W.M., … and Doria, A. (2009). Mutations at the BLK locus linked to maturity onset diabetes of the young and beta-cell dysfunction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(34), 14460-5.

Borowiec, M., Thompson, R.C., Powers, C., Xu, R., Dickey, T., and Doria, A. (2007). Mutations in the SLC30A8 gene are not a major cause of MODY or other forms of early-onset, autosomal dominant type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia, 50(10), 2224-6.

De Cosmo, S., Minenna, A., Zhang, Y.Y., Thompson, R.C., Miscio, G., Vedovato, M., … and Trischitta, V. (2009). Association of the Q121 variant of ENPP1 gene with decreased kidney function among patients with type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 53(2), 273-80.

De Cosmo, S., Minenna, A., Zhang, Y.Y., Thompson, R.C., Miscio, G., Vedovato, M., … and Trischitta, V. (2010). Association of the Q121 variant of ENPP1 gene with decreased kidney function among patients with type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 55(3), 616.

Garbati, M.R., Thompson, R.C., Haery, L., and Gilmore, T.D. (2011). A rearranged EP300 gene in the human B-cell lymphoma cell line RC-K8 encodes a disabled transcriptional co-activator that contributes to cell growth and oncogenicity. Cancer Letters, 302(1), 76-83.

Gilmore, T.D., Thompson, R.C., and Faber, A.C. (2010). Cyclins D3 and E go hand in hand with Cdk4/6 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cell Cycle, 9(3), 448-9.

Menzaghi, C., Coco, A., Salvemini, L., Thompson, R.C., De Cosmo, S., Doria, A., and Trischitta, V. (2006). Heritability of serum resistin and its genetic correlation with insulin resistance-related features in nondiabetic caucasians. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 91(7), 2792-2795.

Thompson, R.C., Herscovitch, M., Zhao, I., Ford, T.J., and Gilmore, T.D. (2011). NF-kappaB down-regulates expression of the B-lymphoma marker CD10 through a miR-155/PU.1 pathway. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286(3), 1675-82.

Thompson, R.C., Vardinogiannis, I., and Gilmore, T.D. (2013a). Identification of an NF-- B p50/p65-responsive site in the human MIR155HG promoter. Molecular Biology. MBC, 14(1), 24.

Thompson, R.C., Vardinogiannis, I., and Gilmore, T.D. (2013b). The sensitivity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines to histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced is modulated by BCL-2 family protein activity. PLoS One, 8(5), e62822.

Zhang, Y.Y., Gottardo, L., Thompson, R, Dickey, T., Helen, K., Nolan, D., … and Doria, A. (2006). Genetic variability at the visfatin/PBEF locus is association with risk of type 2 diabetes and inflammatory markers. Obesity, 14(12), 2119-26.

Presentations

Conference Paper

Chan, B., Clasquin, M., Smolen, G., Histen, G., Powe, J., Chen, Y., … and Jin, S. (2016). A novel knock-in mouse model that recapitulates pathobiology of human PMM2-CDG disease. Paper presented at the Human Molecular Genetics.

Conference

Thompson, R.C. (2009). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and NF- B activation via CARD11 signaling. Hematology Training Program Seminar, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Thompson, R.C. (2010). NF- B-dependent gene regulatory networks in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Hematology Training Program Seminar, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Thompson, R.C. (2011a). NF- B down-regulates expression of the B-lymphoma marker CD10 through a miR-155/PU.1 pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Biology Department Seminar, Boston University, Boston, MA.

Thompson, R.C. (2011b). Regulation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma markers and implications in disease. Biology Department Seminar, Boston University, Boston, MA.

Thompson, R.C. (2012). Molecular control of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma markers and resistance to HDAC inhibitors. Biology Department Seminar, Boston University, Boston, MA.

Poster Presentation

Thompson, R.C., and Gilmore, T.D. (2009). Effects of expression of lymphoma-specific CARD11 mutants on B-cell growth in vitro. Poster session presented at the Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Thompson, R.C., Herscovitch, M., Ford, T.J., Zhoa, I, and Gilmore, T.D. (2010). Expression of the CD10 gene is negatively regulated in B-lymphoma cells by an NF- B->miR155->PU.1 pathway. Poster session presented at the Keystone Symposium, NF- B Inflammation and Disease, Santa Fe, NM.

Campbell, V.T., Thompson, R.C., Villegas, V., Proctor, J., McGovern, K., Kutok, J.L., and Stern, H.M. (2013). The potent PI3K-d,g inhibitor IPI-145 exhibits differential activity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines. Poster session presented at the American Society of Hematology, Annual Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, LA.

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