Edina Blazevic

• Developed, maintained, and ran the baseline protocols for the Nanopore Sequencers in order to track and analyze the system performance on a weekly basis.
• Integrated new research advances into the baseline by analyzing raw data, conducting statistical analysis using data software tools (JMP), and presenting analysis reports.
• Collaborated with diverse functional teams and subject matter experts on interdisciplinary projects to optimize sequencing performance.
• Applied advanced technical writing skills to construct SOPs and documentation.
• Processed and prepared necessary equipment and reagents for sequencing experiments using mechanical and chemical/wet lab techniques.

• Developed workflows to support microbial identification in GALT’s array-based technology including the translation, development and validation for a variety of developmental test using GALT’s platform.
• Supported the instrument development of the array-based technology using the Prospector platform and conducted experiments and POP (proof of principle) to ensure prototype viability by verification testing
• Developed and assessed SOPs and maintained document production by completing forms, logs, reports and records of both internal and customer performed tests
• Selected 30 + medically relevant fungi and bacterial strains for the instrument development projects
• Cultured, maintained, and determined growth parameters of microbial strains
• Optimized and tested numerous bacterial nutrient medias to culture unculturable microorganisms
• Managed and maintained BSL-2 laboratory including reagent and consumable inventories for product development testing and production
• Worked with outside vendors/partners to accelerate product development including the standard bacterial and fungal isolation/purification/preservation from environmental samples, culture media preparation, serial dilutions, laboratory stock solution/reagent preparation, aseptic technique and Sanger sequencing library preparation.

• Involved in the space flight experiment on the discovery flight at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
• Conducted experiments that looked for expression level variations in proteins
• Worked on RNA Sequencing, Q-RT-PCR, RNA Isolation, and Northern analysis procedures using equipment such as: Centrifuge, Spectrophotometer, UV cross linker, Autoclave and Q-RT-PCR machines.
• Maintained laboratory stocks and other experimental laboratory solutions.

• Conducted test validations, performance optimization and maintenance of a flow-through sample prep unit in a biological pathogen sensor using several bio-defense pathogens
  
• Appointed as the point of contact person liaising for all collaborative research and development assignments
• Managed the procurement process for biological purchasing, receiving and inventory management for the accounts payable process
• Coached and mentored staff to ensure each project or program was meeting proposal conditions and expectations
• This highly demanding role requires extremely detail oriented, well organized, bright and independent self-starters with solid knowledge of specific biological samples in the air and clinical samples,
• Conduct the PCR cloning successfully on several bio-defense pathogens including Anthrax, human papilloma virus, H1N1 and other forms of the influenza virus.
• Involved in the HTAC testing and performance

• Acquired tumor, tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) and blood samples for analyses and furthered optimized methods for analysis of fresh and archived samples by using the IHC techniques.
• Developed multicolor tissue IHC staining protocols, executed, and analyzed over 100 samples using 3 and 4 color immunohistochemical (IHC) stain panels for maximum recover of all cells from tumor and TDLN specimens.
• Assisted in optimizing the development of custom image analysis software (Gemident) to identify each cell, cell type, location, and relate cell populations by distances and geometric patterns.
• Supervised, mentored, and trained 3 undergraduate and 2 graduate students

• Provided lecture and hands-on training for laboratory exercises relative to in-depth study of blood and blood forming organs including normal and pathological blood forms, developed quizzes and graded assignments for graduate students
• Taught sterile and safety techniques, blood smear preparation, acid-fast staining, microscopy use and cell identification and manual enumeration methods
• Developed strategies, processes, and recommendations by applying principles, methods, and knowledge to develop and meet the overall strategic goals
• Increased overall awareness and education by implementing new programs through workshops, skill enhancement program and team building activities

Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology

(2003) San Jose State University