Project Manager

Jennifer M. Michaux

**** ******* **. *******, **. 27613

919-***-**** **********@*****.***

Objective

To obtain a research position that allows for continued growth and use of acquired scientific skill sets in a laboratory setting.

Summary

Self-motivated, organized and goal oriented individual seeking continued growth in life science research. Project leadership, internal and external collaborations and gaining buy-in from key role players have groomed my interpersonal communication and relationship management skills in order to complete objectives within set deadlines. Working on multiple diseases and organ types has fed my hunger to learn and succeed at new subjects and technical skills. The mastery of these skills has resulted in several awards for superior performance as a top achiever. I find working on the early research end of the product development spectrum to be very compelling and exciting.

Laboratory Skills

- Primary Human Stem Cell Isolation and Purification: Cord Blood, Bone Marrow and Placenta

- Mammalian cell/tissue culture both primary and established cell lines

- Human primary cell differentiation, expansion and characterization

- Human Primary Hepatocyte Culture

- Human Primary Hepatocyte isolation

- Human Retina dissection

- Human Islet isolation and culture

- Sterility and Aseptic Technique

- Assay Development

- Process Development

- Biolistic Transfection

- Magnetic Bead Cell Enrichment

- Flow Cytometery

- Elisa

- Protein Isolation

- Western Blotting

- Bacterial Transformation

- cDNA library preparation

- Animal Dissection and Recovery Surgery

- Light and Fluorescence Microscopy / Imaging

- Immunohistochemistry

- Immunocytochemistry

- RNA isolation

- Molecular Cloning

- DNA plasmid purification

- Restriction Enzyme Analysis

- Handling hazardous agents

- Viral Production and Infection

Education

Meredith College - Raleigh, NC

Bachelors of Science in Biology, 1997

Experience

Cytonet LLC Process Development

Scientist

9/2011 – Present

Cytonet has offered several new challenges and opportunities for my continued development on the isolation and culture of new cell types. I was tasked with multiple projects in a cGMP like environment.

Projects:

1. Process Development

I became a member of a team which analyzed and discovered methods and techniques to increase the post cryogenic viability of human hepatocytes. I quickly learned the process and gave in-put to design of experiments to evaluate the effect of these changes on the process.

2. Assay Development

I worked independently on the development of new assays and optimization of current assays used to provide predictive in-vivo engraftment performance of transplanted hepatocytes. I created a new assay for cell attachment as a measure of cell quality with in a time frame of three months. This required the testing and analysis of a multitude medias and cell plating surfaces.

Becton Dickinson Technologies (BDT) / Diabetes and Cell Therapy

Scientist

9/2003-8/2010

My seven years at BDT were instrumental to my career development. Working as a critical member of several teams both large and small enhanced my ability to work productively and efficiently with many different personality types. Project leadership roles helped me to develop skills in making key decisions on next steps to keep the project(s) on target. I have become a proficient communicator due to continual reporting on project scope, progress and end summaries by both oral and written presentations. I acquired numerous technical skills to help me progress and effectively contribute to project goals. My skill sets acquired at BDT include Immunohistochemistry, Cell culture (primary cells and stem cells), Flow Cytometery, Microscopy, animal surgery, and ELISA. I have a firm grasp on diabetes and pancreatic cells from early cell development to clinical efficacy of insulin on blood sugar levels.

Projects:

1. Cell Isolation from Cord Blood and Bone Marrow

I was responsible for developing protocols to isolate a small sub set population of hematopoietic stem cells from Cord Blood and Bone Marrow. After collecting the white blood cell population, I utilized the Miltenyi Auto- macs to positively select cells using an indirect labeling method to achieve the first concentration of the desired cell population. Further isolation was acquired by using the FACS Aria to perform a single cell sort. These cells were then used in experiments on producing insulin producing cells. I created and optimized this protocol to increase cell yields and viability that in turn allowed the forward progression on projects with in specified timelines.

2. Cell Isolation of Crypt Stem Cells from Human Duodenum

In an effort to discover unique stem cells sources, I was asked to develop a method to isolate and culture the stem cells found in the crypts of the duodenum. This project was particularly challenging because crypt cells are programmed to die. I developed methods for isolating these cells successfully. The culturing of crypt cells proved to be more challenging. While I had some success the cell survival percentage was still very low. I was successful in optimizing the sectioning and staining of the crypt cells within the duodenum tissue with several markers.

3. Human Islet Isolation and Expansion

Currently it takes between two or three pancreata to isolate enough islets to provide a curative effect in a transplant patient. To address the problem of insufficient islets from one isolation, I was asked to explore the potential for human islets to expand in culture. After assisting my team with the islet isolations, I would culture the islets in several different growth factors and environments known to induce expansion. I developed and validated an assay to assess population expansion by using several markers on the FACS Aria.

4. Proprietary Mesenchymal Stem Cell Analysis for Differentiation Potency

BD negotiated a research contract to use proprietary mesenchymal stem cells from an outside source. I was tasked with assessing the cell’s differentiation potential into osteoblasts, adipocytes and hepatocytes. To tackle this, I familiarized myself with the proper environments to allow for differentiation into each desired cell type. I also developed staining methods to assess cell progression towards each desired target. Each cell type required a set of three stains. I successfully optimized each of these immunocytochemistry staining methods and was able utilize these methods to analyze cell progression towards each desired cell type.

Cogent Neuroscience Inc. / Neuroprotection Characterization

Associate Scientist

6/2000-10/2002

Cogent was an ever expanding start-up biotech company that provided me with the experience of building several teams. I was responsible for training new hires the techniques required to participate in team based screening efforts. I utilized exceptional organizational skills to ensure a fully supplied laboratory and successful scientific experimentation. Working at a start-up research organization has taught me the value of working as a team to achieve a goal.

UNC-Chapel Hill Cystic Fibrosis Center

Research Technician III 6/1998 - 6/2000

UNC-Chapel Hill Dept. of Cell Biology and Anatomy

Research Technician III 8/1997 - 6/1998

Colleague Feedback

Sharon Presnell

Director of R&D, Becton Dickinson (Manager)

“Jennifer joined our team at BD Technologies to accomodate expanding technical needs in support of a growing diabetes research team. She was a joy to work with and a highly productive member of the team throughout my tenure at BD. Jenn was always willing to try new things and actively applied new knowledge towards achieving the goals for which she was responsible. One of the qualities that always impressed me most about Jenn was her ability to innovate to solve specific problems and challenges that arose in our daily work. For example, when we once found ourselves in need of a way to generate uniform tissue slices without the purchase of sophisticated equipment, Jenn designed and made a simple tool to accomplish this task -- it was simple but effective and I have continued to use that tool in my laboratory with very little modification! Jenn has many positive qualities -- she is tenacious, creative, hardworking, and of highest integrity. I would welcome the opportunity to have Jenn as a member of my team again!”

Mary Beth Thomas

Assistant Director, Neuroprotection program, Cogent Neuroscience (Manager)

“I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer at Cogent Neuroscience. I found Jennifer to be a very hard working and motivated scientist who was always willing to give the extra effort to get her work done and to help others on her team. Jennifer had minimal experience in the platform technology that was utilized at Cogent - but she was exceptional at picking up new scientific techniques and made significant impact on her projects in a very short timeframe. Additionally, Jennifer has a great sense of humor that really added to the Cogent team.”

Bryce Chaney, MBA

Scientist/Platform Technology, BD Technologies (Teammate)

“During our time working together at BD's stem cell technologies group, we relied upon Jen to generate stem cells from a vast array of different tissue types - ranging from placenta, intestines, liver and pancreas. Each tissue type required specific digestion techniques, specific enzyme cocktails and specific handling requirements. Jen routinely generated novel extraction methods to deliver the requisite cell types. She is a wonderful team member and always found ways to make us smile or laugh regardless of the circumstances surrounding a project.”

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