Work with thought leaders and academic experts from University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Graduate Student Instructor / September, 2016 — December, 2022

Created and taught first-year writing seminar ENG 125: “Writing Climate Change"; Assistant instructor for eight courses in statistical analyses and modeling, primate social behavior, evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, behavioral ecology, and vertebrate evolution

Co-coordinator and research consultant / August, 2011 — August, 2015

Designed and implemented monitoring protocol for African Grey Parrots, including 8 months in the field monitoring populations and establishing community partnerships in and around the Lomami National Park ; Fundraised over $9000 for the project; Fostered collaborations and established partnerships between community members, local and regional governments, and village leadership; Conducted general exploratory bird surveys using song recordings and mist netting

Research Consultant / January, 2015 — March, 2015

Focus on gorilla behavior, captive management, community outreach, conservation education; Contracted research photographer

Research Consultant / January, 2014 — April, 2014

Photographed and recorded behavior of common dolphins and other cetaceans in the Hauraki Gulf for fin identification; Wrangled and managed fin matching database; Assisted in necropsies of common dolphins

Research Consultant / June, 2013 — August, 2013

Designed and implemented camera trap survey of forest cats in the Jama-Coaque Reserve, Ecuador

Research consultant / January, 2012 — December, 2012

Focus on photographing infant and juvenile chimpanzee dentition, recording social behavior; Partnered with Kibale Snare Removal Team to collect illegal snares from the National Park and surgically remove snares from affected chimpanzees

Post Doctoral Researcher / August, 2022 — Present

Graduate Research Assistant / August, 2018 — July, 2022

Post Doctoral Researcher / August, 2022 — Present

Graduate Research Assistant / August, 2018 — July, 2022

research fellow / October, 2018 — Present

Postdoc / September, 2020 — June, 2023

Postdoc / June, 2023 — Present

quantum computing

Ph.D. Production Expert, Coding/Math/Science / February, 2023 — March, 2024

Train a proprietary AI model on the subjects of coding, science, and math.

Postdoctoral Researcher / July, 2018 — November, 2022

Principal researcher for two large international projects. Optimized protocols and pipelines for the sequencing of microbial sequences from mixed trophic aquatic environments. DNA extraction, PCR, molecular methods, NGS, bioinformatic analysis. Analysis and interpretation of targeted metabolomics data using HPLC-UV/Vis and MS. Data storage, organization, and maintenance. Created, organized, and maintained an extensive microbial culture collection. Coordinated international logistics with an inter-disciplinary team. Wrote progress reports and translated official documents between German and English. Presented results to interdisciplinary audiences at the local and international level. Published results in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific research journals. Supervised and trained student interns and technicians. Prepared protocols and materials for a large, tran-Pacific research cruise. Oversaw day-to-day operations, making sure to maintain a high level of quality assurance.

Postdoctoral Researcher / January, 2016 — June, 2018

Designed RNA-Seq experiments to track microbial gene expression in response to environmental conditions relevant to mammalian host infection. Performed RNA extraction protocols. Mapped phylogenetic relatedness of a new subclade of microorganisms using next-generation sequencing methods.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow / September, 2022 — Present

Postdoctoral researcher on the NIH-funded Building Our Bonds Authentically (BOBA) Project (1R01 MH129360-01; mPIs Cindy H. Liu, PhD & Tiffany Yip, PhD), which investigates Chinese American families' experiences of race and identity. Responsibilities entail general project management; data collection, cleaning, and coding; community engagement; staff training and mentorship; and direction of a Youth Advisory Board.

Director, Youth Advisory Board / March, 2023 — Present

The BOBA Project Youth Advisory Board (YAB) meets monthly to directly engage Chinese American adolescents in the research process; promote translation and application of culturally-relevant mental health research to community members; and promote youth agency, empowerment, and self-efficacy. Since 2023, I have partnered with over 40 youth leaders across 15 Boston-area schools. Community-based education initiatives include mental health workshops, partnerships and community psychoeducation with ethnic community organizations, and talks/lectures featuring established scholars and community leaders in the areas of Asian American mental health and anti-racist advocacy.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant / September, 2017 — June, 2022

Through the Underrepresented Graduate Students in Psychology (UGSP) at UCLA, I served as a consultant for the Department of Psychology and the broader Division of Life Sciences. During this time, I lead initiatives pertaining to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention; equity in graduate school admissions; eliminating racial/gendered bias in fellowship funding; promotion of healthy student-faculty mentoring relationships; forging cross-departmental partnerships to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; and COVID-19-related undergraduate and graduate student advocacy. I further engaged in general consulting to support department- and division-initiated DEIJ-related initiatives.

Graduate Research Assistant / September, 2017 — September, 2022

Served as a graduate research assistant on the NIH-funded UCLA Diversity Project (NICHD 1R01 HD059882; mPIs Sandra Graham, PhD & Jaana Juvonen, PhD) – a multi-cohort, longitudinal study of school diversity and adolescent development following over 6,000 California adolescents from sixth grade through early adulthood. I have 5 years of expertise in project and data management as a member of the research team, culminating in my dissertation investigating the peer status and social relationships of immigrant-origin youth (i.e., first- and second-generation) across the three years of middle school.

Teaching Assistant / January, 2018 — June, 2022

Teaching assistant in the UCLA Department of Psychology. Taught 7 distinct courses, across 14 academic terms. Courses include Introductory Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Research Methods in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods in Developmental Psychology, Adolescent Development, Infant/Toddler Care and Education, and Dynamic Perspectives on Parenting.

Research Assistant / August, 2016 — June, 2017

Full-time staff research assistant in the Lumeng-Miller Lab, at the Center for Human Growth and Development

Visiting Associate Professor

Visiting Lecturer

Visiting Associate Professor

Adjunct Associate Professor

Lecturer

Visiting Associate Professor

Visiting Associate Professor

Assistant Professor

Lecturer

Psychology Subject Matter Expert

Senior Development Editor

Research Assistant

Graduate Research Assistant / August, 1999 — February, 2005

- Designed and performed research that revealed key insights into the ubiquitin pathway. - Authored multiple highly cited articles. - Employed techniques including yeast two-hybrid, bioinformatics, mRNA expression analysis, and reverse genetics. - Served as graduate teaching assistant for introductory biology. - Supervised and advised one rotating graduate student and two undergraduate students.

NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow / April, 2005 — August, 2011

- Developed and executed multiple lines of research. - Authored multiple articles describing the roles of lipids in cell polarity and stem cell maintenance. - Awarded competitive NIH NIGMS and NIH NICHD Postdoctoral Fellowships. - Utilized techniques including recombinant protein production, two-phase partitioning, enzyme activity assays, confocal microscopy, and genome mapping. - Reduced research expenses by generating specialized reagents for internal use. - Developed and taught advanced undergraduate and graduate level course, Molecular Basis of Development. - Supervised and trained three graduate students and four undergraduate students.

Associate Scientist / July, 2013 — April, 2015

- Developed novel transformation systems for non-traditional yeasts. - Served as Entrepreneurial Lead for NSF I-Corps team. - Evaluated commercialization potential of bioconversion technologies. - Analyzed product/market fit, which included conducting over 150 customer interviews. - Implemented Lean Startup methodologies. - Presented findings to scientific, business, and investment leaders.

Director of Metabolic Engineering / July, 2013 — November, 2015

- Designed and implemented novel engineering strategies for non-traditional yeasts. - Utilized diverse array of techniques including seamless cloning. - Hired and managed metabolic engineering team. - Instituted standard operating procedures and a central database system. - Formulated and managed budgets. - Reduced costs up to 20% through negotiations with vendors. - Conducted product/market research and implemented Lean Startup methodologies. - Wrote and secured NSF Phase I SBIR grant.

Senior Scientist / May, 2016 — March, 2017

- Designed and developed novel next generation protein and RNA microarray technologies. - Utilized a vast array of cutting edge and novel molecular biology techniques. - Reduced costs up to 20% through negotiations with vendors. - Conducted product/market research and implemented Lean Startup methodologies. - Contributed to SBIR grant submissions.

Director of Research and Development / June, 2018 — March, 2021

- Directed and implemented research and development programs. - Developed proprietary technologies in the areas of drug discovery, assay development, optical imaging, and diagnostics. - Designed research programs and wrote SBIR/STTR grant applications. - Conducted product/market research and implemented Lean Startup methodologies. - Formulated and managed budgets. - Managed product portfolio including marketing and sales. - Designed and managed prior version of corporation website.

Director of Research / April, 2021 — July, 2022

- Led the development of proprietary liver directed AAV based gene therapies for diabetes. - Directed, organized, and implemented research and development programs. - Developed assays including designing and implementing ddPCR and cell culture based assays. - Analyzed existing intellectual property (IP) portfolio and developed and submitted new IP. - Hired and managed research and development staff. - Formulated and managed budgets. - Developed and maintained contractor and CDMO relationships. - Initiated and terminated laboratory operations for company.

Founder and Consulting Scientist / September, 2011 — Present

- Contribute to experimental design and product development. - Scientific project management. - Write and critique scientific manuscripts, grants, and presentations. - Identify funding opportunities. - Conduct market research and present findings. - Provide guidance on implementation of Lean Startup methodologies. - Plan, implement, and manage commercialization strategies. - Design and manage client websites and online presence. - Formulate and manage budgets and Quickbooks for clients.

Research and Development Manager / March, 2023 — Present

- Manage, mentor, and hire neurotherapeutic early development team. - Develop human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapeutics for ocular and neurodegenerative diseases. - Extensive work in the areas of dose formulation and surgical device testing. - Report to and strategize with key internal and external stakeholders. - Experimental design including IND enabling studies. - Resource planning and management.

Professor

PhD Candidate / August, 2021 — Present

Lead graduate student on Supernova Remnants and Proxies for Re-Ionization Testbed Experiment (SPRITE) Cubesat

Mechanical Engineering Student Co-op / May, 2020 — December, 2020

Student Research Assistant / May, 2017 — December, 2019

Summer Research Fellow / May, 2019 — August, 2019

Assistant Research Scientist / July, 2018 — Present