ROSEMARY VASSALLO NELSON, M. S.

Millbury ● MA ● *1527

508-***-**** (H) ● 508-***-**** (C)

pjivwg@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemaryvassallonelson

SUMMARY

Molecular Biologist with extensive experience in the Biotechnology industry. TECAN Specialist for the last 12 years in the automation of ELISAs, DNA, and RNA diagnostic assays. Skilled in process enhancements in CLIA, cGMP, and cGLP environments. Expertise in a variety of laboratory techniques, including:

• TECAN EVOware Plus and Standard, Gemini, FACTS, and Magellan development, programming, and automation for clinical molecular assays.

• Development and automation of Immunogenicity ELISAs.

• Automated liquid handling and filtration in microtube, 96-well, and 384-well formats for multiplexed PCRs, Sequencing, and Southern Assays.

• Research and development of process improvements in CLIA-regulated Assay, QC, and Development Labs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STRYKER BIOTECH, HOPKINTON, MA

Senior Automation Associate II – Bioassay Development 09/08 – 10/11

• Designed, developed, and validated TECAN-automated immunogenicity ELISAs.

• Developed automated aliquoting and cherry-picking processes for clinical specimens.

• Co-developed and administered a customized OTS LIMS for tracking and managing clinical samples.

GENZYME GENETICS, WESTBOROUGH, MA

Staff Scientist I – R&D 05/03 – 08/08

• Designed and transferred TECAN-automated PCR and sequencing-based clinical assays and methods to molecular diagnostic groups.

• Automated processes for array-CGH methods (including slide handling steps).

• Assisted in the development of LIMS-directed automation processes for molecular assays (e.g., p53, KRAS, LSD, and SMA).

• Developed and automated DNA and RNA isolation methods from whole blood, buccal swabs, bloodspots, mouthwash, and urine.

• Optimized multiplexed PCRs for the Cystic Fibrosis 86-Mutation Assay.

• Resolved clinical assay and sample discrepancy issues.

Principal Research Associate – R&D 05/99 – 05/03

• Designed rescue protocols for critical low-volume (e.g., prenatal) clinical samples.

• Developed multiplex methylation-specific PCR assay for Prader-Willi/Angelman Syndromes.

• Supported Marketing Department in the creation of promotional literature for new product offerings.

GENETICS INSTITUTE, CAMBRIDGE, MA

Associate Scientist – DiscoverEase, Production/Inventory Team Leader 07/98 – 05/99

• Administered the Third Party Clones Inventory System for the DiscoverEase Protein Development Program.

• Submitted patented clones to ATCC.

Associate Scientist – DiscoverEase, Enrichment Team Leader 12/96 – 07/98

• Led the Enrichment/Full Length Cloning Team in the isolation of full-length clones of novel human proteins using RecA methodology.

• Solved problematic cloning runs.

CAMBRIDGE BIOTECH CORPORATION, WORCESTER, MA

Research Associate II – Product Development 07/95 – 12/96

• Designed and optimized clinical diagnostic immunoassays (ELISA, Latex Agglutination, and Western Blots) for HIV 1/2, Clostridium difficile, and Lyme disease.

• Developed, trained and monitored a clinical trial for a C. difficile Latex Agglutination assay.

GENE-TRAK, ATC DIAGNOSTICS, INC., FRAMINGHAM, MA

Technical Service Representative – Sales and Marketing 03/94 – 06/95

• Created and approved technical marketing materials for a $1MM cell lysis disruption instrument.

• Managed technical support and research applications for internal and external customers.

• Trained future customers on protocols and applications.

Associate Research Scientist – R&D, Sample Processing 08/90 – 03/94

• Designed and optimized assays and procedures for the liberation and detection of nucleic acid targets from viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens (including BL3-level organisms) from various human source material.

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, WORCESTER, MA

Laboratory Consultant – Biology and Biotechnology Department 09/88 – 01/89

• Designed and implemented protocols for hands-on experiments for introductory Biology/Biotechnology courses.

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Vassallo, R., The ORF1 gene of Herpesvirus saimiri strain 484-77: codes for a collagen-like protein, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Master's Thesis).

Bachelor of Science with High Distinction (summa cum laude), Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

PUBLICATIONS

Medveczky, M., et al., Expression of the Collagen-Like Putative Oncoprotein of Herpesvirus saimiri in Transformed T Cells, Virus Genes, Springer Netherlands, Vol. 7, No. 4, December 1993, p. 349-365.

An, Q., et al., Infection with a Plasmid-Free Variant Chlamydia Related to Chlamydia trachomatis Identified by Using Multiple Assays for Nucleic Acid Detection. Vol. 30, No. 11. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Nov. 1992, p. 2814-2821.

ABSTRACTS

Ross-Wiley, S., et al., Genzyme Genetics, Westborough, MA. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting AGT Poster Session (2005). A Comparison of Southern Blot Analysis and Methylation- Specific PCR in Diagnosing Prader-Willi/Angelman Syndromes.

Chan, T, et al., Cambridge Biotech Corp., Worcester, MA. Poster presented at Abstracts from the General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology. (1996) (abstract no. V-1). Preliminary results from newly developed recombinant HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA assay capable of HIV Group-M variant detection.

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