ACCOMPLISHMENTS * In my present position as a Physical Scientist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency ( "http://www.dtra.mil/" DTRA), I manage grants and contracts, develop topics, and compete for research and development funding by generating and defending research topic ideas to DTRA senior management. DTRA is the official DoD combat support agency for countering weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) as well as funding/supporting comprehensive research and development in counter chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) technologies. Based upon my efforts, I was the FY17 third quarter nominee from DTRA's Data Integration and Analysis Department ( "http://www.dtra.mil/Research/Data-Integration-Analysis/" RDIA) for the Mission Support award for the Research and Development Directorate (RD). * While attending Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), I researched the use of a miniaturized, battery-operated lysis device for nucleic acid testing for point-of-care settings. * Proved that a very small battery operated disposable bead blender can lyse Mycobacterium cells with the same efficiency as an industry-standard benchtop bead beater. * Developed protocols to extract and purify nucleic acids from Mycobacterium cells in sputum using a small disposable bead blender for downstream analysis. * Determined that a related device can disrupt mycobacterial cells and perform solid-phase extraction of nucleic acids from DNA-spiked sputum samples. * Published results in "http://jcm.asm.org/content/49/7/2533.full" Journal of Clinical Microbiology (first author) and contributed to improvements in Claremont Biosolutions' existing product line (OmniLyse). * Hired as Researcher (paid role) to conceive, produce, and test new proprietary lysis device in support of DARPA's "http://archive.darpa.mil/DARPATech2005/presentations/spo/mccreery.pdf" Handheld Isothermal Silver Standard Sensor Program (contracted to KGI through Northrop Grumman) later on for "http://www.kgi.edu/academic-programs/master-of-business-and-science-(mbs)/team-masters-project/tmp-search/novel-sample-preparation-technologies-for-rapid-identification-of-pathological-organisms" Northrop Grumman-sponsored Team Masters project, conducted research and development as well as business and IP research and reported findings on the market potential for such a device. * As a KGI doctoral candidate, designed, built, and tested a volatile organic chemical (VOC) sampling device for a NIH-funded project to collect VOCs from bacteria known to cause ventilator-associated pneumonia. * For a group project at KGI, we completed IP research and devised a business plan for a startup company regarding the potential for a cochlear implant device to treat tinnitus.

Highlights:

• HTTPs
• Chemistry
• MBS
• Publications
• Research
• Management
• Research and Development
• Transitions
• Audit
• Defense
• Program manager
• Dod
• Point of need