Professional Journey
2024 - Present
Principal Scientist, In Vitro Research
Octavian Solutions- Direct laboratory-based R&D for non-invasive optical diagnostics.
- Built and launched a fully operational research laboratory (>$200k capital spend).
- Manage laboratory operations, budgeting ($100k annual), and team training.
- Developed company-wide OSHA- and FDA-aligned safety programs.
2019 - 2024
Research Assistant
UCLA, Department of Bioengineering- Led research on hydrogel wound dressings with controlled drug delivery.
- Designed a drug-releasing stent for black rhinoceros conservation.
- Engineered a low-cost, paper-based HIV-1 point-of-care diagnostic.
- Mentored 12+ researchers, resulting in 20+ publications.
2021 - 2024
Outreach Coordinator
SERVES — East Los Angeles College- Designed federally funded outreach program for Veteran retention in STEM.
- Developed 5-week internship curriculum and mentored 10 participants annually.
Summer 2022
Parasitology Intern
Zoetis, Veterinary Medical R&D- Developed and validated quantitative diagnostic assays in regulated R&D environment.
- Generated reproducible data supporting internal drug-development decisions.
2020 - 2022
Course Facilitator
UCLA: “Targeted Drug Delivery”- Facilitated graduate instruction on drug delivery and pharmacokinetics.
- Applied mathematical modeling to system optimization.
- Instructed on FDA regulations (21 CFR Parts 210 and 211).
2016 - 2019
Research Assistant
University of Utah, Biomedical Eng.- Conducted preclinical biocompatibility studies (ISO 10993-4).
- Authored regulatory documentation for translational research.
- Contributed to grant proposals totaling $25,000 in funding.
2016 - 2018
Ambassador
University of Utah, Engineering- Supported departmental communication and collaboration initiatives.
- Independently established textbook share for equitable access.
Summer 2016
Research Assistant
University of Cambridge- Collaborated on design of leptospirosis diagnostic test.
- Supported protocol compliance and technology transfer to commercial production.
2013 - 2014
Outreach Instructor
SciTrek, UC Santa Barbara- Designed and delivered hands-on science modules on experimental design.
- Supervised a team of 7 students conducting independent experiments.