Michele Wich
Eureka
Summary
Determined and well-rounded individual with over 25 years of experience working as a Scientist/IHC specialist within industry and clinical laboratories. Sharp and focused professional offering skills in assay development and troubleshooting. Positive and analytical, bringing solid foundation in scientific research and keen ability to adapt to new challenges. Well-versed in laboratory techniques, contributing effectively to research projects and experimental design.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist I Mechanistic Pharmacology & Toxicology
Inotiv
01.2024 - Current
- Conduct in vitro laboratory assays utilizing cell culture, ELISA, PCR, and other techniques to evaluate biomarkers or other MP&T endpoints.
- Assist in the performance and analyses of flow cytometry studies.
- Assist in evaluation of new instrumentation and technologies.
- Design experiments using appropriate controls and variables,
- Generate study results and reports within client timelines, ensuring that analyses and reporting are accurate.
- Perform quality control (QC) reviews of in vitro results as requested.
- Prepare project-based cost estimates for reagents/supplies, ordering reagents/supplies, and scheduling projects in consultation with assigned study director/project lead/scientists.
- Use scientific or technical resources such as scientific literature, vendor technical services, professional contacts, continuing education, etc. to maintain currency of established methods and explore and develop new methods and techniques.
- Perform complex troubleshooting and assist in initiatives to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
- Assist in the general maintenance of major equipment, including monitoring and calibration of laboratory instruments used for MP&T, IHC, ISH, IF, and special techniques.
- Document study and laboratory activities as required for compliance, and maintain study data files and samples/specimens in an organized and confidential fashion.
- Understand and comply with all established SOPs and applicable regulations and environmental health and safety procedures.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of relevant computer systems.
- Mentor, train, and offer technical supervision for colleagues as appropriate.
- Support Histology/IHC/Pathology lab as necessary
Scientist I IHC&Histology Special Techniques Lead
Inotiv (formerly Seventh Wave Laboratories, LLC)
04.2016 - 01.2024
- Developed and implemented routine and non-routine IHC, ISH, and IF assays for non-regulated (non-GLP) studies using automated and manual staining techniques including method development, method optimization, method confirmation, and/or sample analysis.
- Prepared project-based cost estimates, ordered reagents/supplies, and scheduled projects in consultation with assigned study/project pathologist and/or scheduling personnel.
- Used technical resources to maintain currency of established methods and to troubleshoot, explore and develop new methods and techniques.
- Wrote and reviewed SOPs, laboratory methods and reports documenting procedures or study-related activities in accordance with SOPs, study protocols, and business practices.
- Maintained equipment and developed programs for monitoring and calibration of laboratory equipment used for IHC, ISH, IF, and special techniques.
- Provided timely communication to assigned Study/Project Pathologists, Principal Investigator, or Study Director (as applicable) of any protocol or significant SOP deviations.
- Documented all study and laboratory activities as required for compliance and maintenance of study data files and specimens.
- Demonstrated understanding and compliance with established environmental health and safety procedures.
- Simultaneously managed several complex projects, meeting all pertinent milestones.
- Provided mentoring, training, and technical supervision to colleagues as appropriate.
- Supported the Mechanistic Pharmacology & Toxicology lab as necessary.
Histology Technician III
Seventh Wave Laboratories
03.2015 - 03.2016
- Responsible for all previous tasks assigned as Histology Technician II
- Developed new procedures/techniques and wrote methods and SOPs.
- Executed preventative maintenance, monitoring, and calibration of laboratory equipment and documented activities.
- Provided technical input in a pro-active manner.
- Trained colleagues at the Technician Assistant or Histology Technician I/II level and provided technical supervision.
Immunohistochemistry Technologist
WCP Laboratories
07.2013 - 03.2015
- Responsible for automated IHC, ISH, IF staining of clinical specimens
- Method development and implementation of IHC/ISH assays.
- Performed instrument programming, maintenance and troubleshooting
- Worked in accordance with CAP guidelines and participated in periodic CAP reviews
- Ordered supplies and maintained inventory
- Assisted histology team with routine sectioning as needed
- Mentored junior team members to enhance their technical skills and improve overall team productivity
Provisional Histology Technician II
Seventh Wave Laboratories
07.2013 - 03.2015
Histology Technician II
Seventh Wave Laboratories
05.2007 - 03.2013
- Responsible for performing all histopathology tasks including specimen receipt and handling, necropsy, tissue trimming, processing, embedding & sectioning and routine and special staining
- Operated and maintained laboratory equipment for GLP animal toxicology safety studies and non-regulated research and development projects
- Performed immunohistochemistry procedures and method development
- Performed alternate histology techniques such as resin embedding and sectioning and cryosectioning
- Executed Quality Checks including QC of slides and data packages and responding to QC audits
- Documented activities and performed duties in accordance with study protocols and/or facility Standard Operating Procedures
- Trained colleagues and provided technical supervision
Immunocytometrics Technologist
WCP Laboratories
12.2005 - 03.2007
- Conducted automated/manual IHC, ISH and IF staining of clinical specimens; programming and maintaining various automated stainers.
- Assisted in sample preparation and performance of flow cytometry
- Imaged stained slides for diagnostic assistance and reporting
- Assisted in antibody workup and staining protocol design
- Maintained detailed procedure manuals of laboratory tests performed and daily maintenance charts and service logs on all laboratory equipment
- Purchased supplies and maintained inventory
- Assisted the histology lab with sectioning and special staining when needed
Histotechnologist
Ameripath-Denver
08.2001 - 12.2004
- Performed general histology duties including embedding, trimming, and H&E staining in addition to special stains and immunohistochemical procedures
- Maintained maintenance records for laboratory equipment and hazardous waste management
- Purchased and received supplies for the histology and gross laboratories and maintained supply and equipment inventories
Grossing Technician/Histotechnician
Unipath, LLC
09.1999 - 08.2001
- Accessioned, grossly dictated and cut-in tissue biopsies for processing.
- Embedded specimens and cut slides for clinical diagnosis.
Medical Research Technician
Washington University Medical School
05.1989 - 07.1998
- Duties included the set up and running of all biochemical assays relevant to research projects, statistically analyzing and graphing data, maintaining records of experimental procedures and results, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and assisting in the writing and editing of protocols, journal publications, federal grants.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Psychology
University of Missouri St. Louis
St. Louis, MOSkills
- Highly organized and detail orientated
- Ability to multitask and work independently
- General Microsoft Office Skills and ability to learn new laboratory software
- Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with laboratory science team members, pathologists, and other staff members
- Strong work ethic and positive attitude while working towards or under a given deadline
- Ability and desire to learn new methods or workflows
- Ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting and problem-solving
- Research and experiments
- Safety processes and procedures
- Assay development
Timeline
Scientist I Mechanistic Pharmacology & Toxicology
Inotiv
01.2024 - Current
Scientist I IHC&Histology Special Techniques Lead
Inotiv (formerly Seventh Wave Laboratories, LLC)
04.2016 - 01.2024
Histology Technician III
Seventh Wave Laboratories
03.2015 - 03.2016
Immunohistochemistry Technologist
WCP Laboratories
07.2013 - 03.2015
Provisional Histology Technician II
Seventh Wave Laboratories
07.2013 - 03.2015
Histology Technician II
Seventh Wave Laboratories
05.2007 - 03.2013
Immunocytometrics Technologist
WCP Laboratories
12.2005 - 03.2007
Histotechnologist
Ameripath-Denver
08.2001 - 12.2004
Grossing Technician/Histotechnician
Unipath, LLC
09.1999 - 08.2001
Medical Research Technician
Washington University Medical School
05.1989 - 07.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Psychology
University of Missouri St. Louis