Research Scientist/Synthetic Biologist / October, 2022 — October, 2023

Started a new microalgal metabolic engineering project from scratch, working with non-model species. Established a platform for microalgal cultivation. Developed genetic manipulation tools, novel transformation methods, algal bioprospecting assays. Designed and carried out complex cloning strategies including Golden Gate, Gateway, seamless, and restriction enzyme-based cloning. Mapped RNA-seq data to reference genome, built gene models.

Postdoctoral Associate / January, 2019 — October, 2022

Identified genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis of the emerging model microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica. Used homology searches to identify candidates, RNA-seq to build gene models, and CRISPR-Cas9 to generate gene knockout lines. Identified N. oceanica insertional mutagenesis loci using NGS resequencing data analysis. Developed a high throughput mutant screen for carotenoid biosynthesis defects in N. oceanica. Developed a mutant screen for defects in stomatal responses to light intensity changes in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana and identified several candidate genes for the signaling pathway. Demonstrated that a predominant hypothesis about the stomatal light response signaling pathway appears to be incorrect by using physiological (Li-Cor) measurements of wild-type and mutant A. thaliana.

Freelance Consultant/Contributor (Training AI) / March, 2024 — Present

Using expertise in biology to train AI models. Creating challenging prompts and evaluating AI model responses. Evaluating the prompts created by others and providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.