Laboratory Management

John Wesley Kavanaugh, Ph.D.

*** ******* ** ***: 434-***-****

Odenton, MD 21113 Email: ****.*.*********@*****.*** Summary of Qualifications

• A PhD molecular biologist with experience in both clinical diagnostics and R&D laboratories.

• Experienced in implementing large-scale data management solutions, LIMS, new laboratory processes, and SOPs.

• Previous experience as a Clinical General Supervisor/ Lab Manager for CAP/CLIA certified NextGen Sequencing laboratories. Responsible for up to 10 direct reports, overseeing daily operations, ensuring department goals are achieved, adherence to quality standards of governing institutions, and implementing continuous improvement plans.

Work Experience

ProPharma/ AstraZeneca Gaithersburg, MD

Senior Program Manager Oct 2022- Present

AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg MD- Business Analyst R&D IT

• Implementation of a new global data management system ensuring the principals of F.A.I.R. data, with multiple integrations including ELN, Gene Data Biologics/ Screener, Empower, Cytiva Unicorn.

• Lead a core team of analysts to gather and anticipate business needs, mitigate potential conflicts, be proactive in solutions development, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Gather and deliver necessary information for business stakeholders ensuring project pipeline and team milestone goals are met.

• Liaising between business and scientific stakeholders to elicit, analyze, and document different levels of business requirements and technical specifications.

• Drive change management and user adoption of data management tools. Gather and define requirements from end-users to improve operability. GeneDx Gaithersburg, MD

Lab Manager/ General Supervisor- NextGen Sequencing Nov 2020- Oct 2022

• Manager/ general supervisor for the NextGen Sequencing lab overseeing 20 technologists daily with 10 direct reports.

• Ensuring labs are in compliance with CAP, CLIA, New York State, and quality systems standards.

• Perform robotic library prep multiple on automated systems and NextGen sequencing on HiSeq & NovaSeq 6000 instruments from human samples.

• Lead and engage in meetings with management, scientist, and technician.

• Develop new lab processes/ techniques with lab management and Quality Systems. Author, edit, and review clinical SOPs.

• Validate and onboard new software and instruments. Molecular Genetics Laboratory Supervisor- DNA Extraction Lab Oct 2018- Nov 2020

• Supervisor for two clinical labs for DNA extraction and sample normalization and distribution with a varying number of direct reports between 3 and 10.

• Robotic extraction of DNA from multiple sample types on Hamilton liquid handler systems as well as multiple manual extraction methods.

• Teaching new employees lab methods and performing bi-annual and annuals comps for techniques.

• Developing protocols, SOP reviews, reagent and consumables validations.

• Tracking of metrics and laboratory conformance to CAP/ CLIA/ NY State/ and internal standards. Department of Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA Research Assistant/ PhD Student-Candidate/ Lab Manger Aug 2011- Dec 2017

• Became an expert in the scientific literature on the topic and learned the intricacies of mass spectrometry analysis of the post-translational modification acetylation.

• Organized a labor intensive and complex mouse study to better understand how mammalian skeletal muscle metabolism adjust in the face of over consumption of energy in the form of a high fat diet.

• Analyzed and interpreted several hundred thousand data points, developed unique statistical methods for mass data sets.

• Test new molecular techniques for the laboratory and validate old methods. Department of Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA Research Faculty- Research Associate/ Lab Manager Oct 2009- Aug 2011

• Planned and executed the technical implementation of accumulation of amyloid beta protein, through viral and non-viral transfection, associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in muscle wasting.

• Investigation of TLR4 inflammatory response through LPS induction on mammalian skeletal muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function using RNA and protein from cell culture and whole muscle. RT-rtPCR, immunoblot, and Seahorse Flux Analyzer were the main methods of analysis.

• Planned and implemented a study of the timing response of MyD88 dependent and MyD88 independent pathways in an inflammatory environment via RT-rtPCR in myoblast cell culture.

• Acting laboratory manager; trained students in molecular techniques, SOP development, chemical and biological safety officer, lab accounting, ordering/receiving. Intrexon Corporation Blacksburg, VA

Research Associate II- R&D Lab June 2007- Oct 2009

• Involved in the production of plasmid vectors for human therapeutics.

• Utilized molecular cloning skills for all stages of plasmid production for gene therapy including fragment ligation, PCR, extraction, purification, insertion into backbone, transformation into bacterial host, bacterial cell culture, and DNA extraction.

• Sequencing (Sanger) of plasmid DNA.

• Responsible for executing and tracking multiple projects simultaneously.

• Training new staff in molecular cloning techniques, plasmid validation, and laboratory procedures. Education

Doctor of Philosophy: Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise- Cell and Molecular Track Graduated October 2017

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA

Bachelor of Science: Biological Science with an option in Business Management Graduated May 2007

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA

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