Lab Scientist

LifeLabs

Burnaby, BC

Nov., 2021 - May, 2021

- Performed sample preparation and operated GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS to troubleshoot hydrolysis procedure of the assay of steroid profile in urine.
- Optimized the enzymatic hydrolysis and the SPE procedures with the design of experiments approach.
- Transformed a manual SPE process to an automated SPE process and optimized the SPE programs.
- Performed pre-study validation for a bile acid metabolite in serum.
- Streamlined data processing using VBA, PivotTable and R resulting in faster reporting and better data interpretation.
- Made a dashboard of analytical data with Shiny application for quality control purpose.
- Created a dashboard of a whole fleet of mass spectrumetry instruments for effective management.
- Created a proactive instrument maintenance program to prevent from potential instrument down time.

Consultant

Self-employed

Pinawa, MB

Present - May, 2020

- Developed a digital troubleshooting logbook prototype.
- Developed a comprehensive documentation blog on chemical analysis.
- Developed an R web scraping application to download search query results of literature from PubMed.
- Data analysis on air quality and water quality of big data sets.

Chemist

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (formerly AECL)

Pinawa, MB

Oct., 2016 - Oct., 2009

- Responsible for the day-to-day laboratory operation and laboratory accreditation. (4 - 6 staff)
- Reviewed analytical data of inorganic and organic analytes and gross Beta radioactivity of samples meeting compliance requirements of the nuclear industry regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
- Recommissioned GC/MS-Headspace, resumed volatile organic analysis, and passed proficiency tests to ensure business continuity.
- Led the re-validation of ICP-OES for metals, ion chromatography for anions, fluorescence analysis for mercury, and FAAS for metals in environmental samples, significantly contributing to successful lab accreditation.
- Developed a screening program to characterize unknown chemicals in compliance with requirements of hazardous material transportation.
- Developed an analytical method for tritium using a portable Liquid Scintillation Counter.
- Participated in a project of Mo-99 production.
- Involved in revising a lab protocol.
- Developed a screening program and performed ad-hoc testing for waste characterization in compliance with requirements of hazardous material transportation.
- Led the revision and implementation of the lab Quality Plan by collaborating with corporate and local quality specialists resulting in better alignment of the company-wide Quality Manual, the Environmental Program Quality Manual, and ISO 17025; and successful reaccreditation and a company-wide recognition award.
- Addressed non-conformance issues to responding findings of self-assessments and audits.
- Monitored instrumental sensitivity and responses; and led corrective actions on instruments.
- Prepared, reviewed, revised, and/or authorized standard operating procedures.
- Developed some Excel macros to enhance data analysis/processing: review time was cut from three days to a few hours and data accuracy increased from 95% to 100%.
- Enforced requirements of lab accreditation and health and safety through activities, such as observation and coaching moments and monthly lab inspection.
- Conducted monthly safety inspection and mitigated an average of 30 safety hazards annually through cooperating with management, fire department, and site safety committee.
- Contributed to a project of an Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) collaboratively partnering with cross-functional team members across different facilities company-wide.

Instructor

Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology

Kirkland Lake, ON

Aug, 2009 - Dec 2005

- Designed, developed and taught courses of ‘Water Monitoring and Sampling’, ‘Laboratory Analysis’, and ‘Environmental Regulations and Legislation’ for the “Environmental Technician – Water and Wastewater Systems Operations” program.

Chemist/ Quality Manager / Lab Manager

Testmark Laboratories (formerly Accuracy Environmental Laboratories)

Kirkland Lake, ON

Nov., 2008 - Sep., 2004

- Responsible for the quality management system, laboratory accreditation, and routine operation, achieving reduced turn-around-time, improved operational efficiency, compliance with accreditation standard and environmental legislation. (10 staff)
- Developed the laboratory quality management system and maintained the ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation.
- Conducted self-assessment and led the team to create action plans to mitigate audit findings, reducing potential non-compliance and risks.
- Coordinated within the lab and with the lab accreditati on agency to achieve successful audits.
- Operated, maintained, and troubleshot instruments including GC for Tier I petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil matrix, ion chromatography for anions, continuous flow analyzer for TKN, total nitrogen, total phosphorus in water/waste water/sludge/soil samples.
- Overcame technical challenges; and provided end-user support and training in implementing an in-house developed ACCESS-based LIMS at the remote facility, minimizing interruption to the operation, and seamlessly transiting to LIMS.

Chemist

SGS

China

May, 2004 - Oct., 2001

- Customized in-house sample preparation methods for total heavy metals in complex sample matrices, meeting requirements of EU regulations for consumer product safety.
- Commissioning of a new ICP-OES and developed an ICP-OES method.

M.Sc. in Chemistry

Sun Yat-Sen University

China

B.Sc. in Chemistry

Sun Yat-Sen University

China

Note: Canadian equivalent credential evaluation report granted by World Education Services, Toronto, ON

Actinide and Radiochemistry Principles

Larry Burchfield, Radiochemistry Society

Chalk River, ON

2010

Leadership

AECL Leadership Academy and Toastmasters

Pinawa, MB

2010, 2009

Data Scientist with R

DataCamp

Online

2022 - 2019

Design of Experiments

udemy

Online

2022

Voyageur Certificate of Recognition Award

Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL)

Pinawa, MB

2015

Voyageur Certificate of Recognition Award for retaining lab accreditation to the ISO 17025 re-accreditation