Professional Biotech Experience
Research & Development Manager:
Karang Foodie Singapore Jan 2024- present
Currently I am working as R&D Manager at Karang Foodie. We are a young startup still in the stealth stage.
Research & Development Manager:
Insect Feed Technologies Singapore Aug 2022-Feb 2023
Managed the R&D department which consisted of 4 permanent employees and 14 rotating interns
Developed and implemented research goals including a 6-month plan and research direction then oversaw the applicable experiments aimed at increasing black soldier fly production
Directly communicated research goals and progress to investors and key stakeholders
Entomological Market Consultant
Little Fat Worm Biotechnology Virtual June-Sept 2021
Manage import regulations and client acquisition for the sale of dried mealworms raised in China for pet food on US markets. Regulatory agency interactions include the International Trade Commission, Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, & Customs and Border Patrol
Entomological Production Consultant
LIVIN Farms - Vienna, Austria May-Aug 2019
Launched LIVIN Farms' first industrial-scale mealworm breeding facility in Vienna, including assisting with site selection, factory design, equipment selection, technological implementation, and other high-level decisions
Managed R&D projects to develop the feed formulation and breeding routine
Academic Research Experience
Publication List: co-authorship
Losey, John E., et al. “Insects and Spiders on the Web: Monitoring and Mitigating Online Exploitation of Species and Services.” Global Ecology and Conservation, vol. 36, Aug. 2022, doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02098.
Cornell University: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Ithaca, NY
Lab of Dr. Patrick O'Grady Jan-May 2022
Collected and identified mycological field samples for Diptera monitoring and life cycle studies
Lab of Dr. Jennifer Thaler Jan-May 2019
Managed Chrysomelidae colonies to research the evolutionary relationship of host plant chemical defences and their specialist herbivores
Lab of Dr. Elson Shields Sept-Dec 2018
Collect and process 100 laboratory samples per hour for a beneficial nematode research project
Michigan State University Lansing, MI
Lab of Dr. Zachary Huang March-July 2018
Led a small team that maintained 45 honeybee colonies and multiple experiments including a Nosema vaccine trial
Additional Entomological Experience
Entomological Consultant, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Ithaca, NY, 2022
Assisted in the development of a plan for mosquito and tick control in Rockaway Community Park
Butterfly Curator, Dow Gardens, Midland, MI 2016-18
Cared for live lepidopteran adults and pupae of over 100 tropical species
Guided tours of the butterfly house and led local excursions to explore native biodiversity
Beekeeper, Nathan’s Apiary, Breckenridge, MI 2014-18
Maintained 8 hives for the collection & sale of honey, wax, propolis, and pollen; offered swarm removal and pollination services
Other Work
Global Symposium Paper Adjudicator
World Food Prize Foundation Foundation Virtual Jan-Aug 2021
Member of World Food Prize Foundation's Board of Reviewers. Personally mentored and encouraged more than 50 young leaders in the fight to end hunger by writing thoughtful, personalized feedback for students who researched and wrote a paper on global food security challenges for a World Food Prize Youth Institute.
Logistics Assistant Coordinator
Norman Borlaug International Symposium: World Food Prize Des Moines, IA Oct 2019
Personally asked by World Food Prize leadership to help lead the world's largest hunger forum by coordinating transportation for VIP delegates, serving as on-site security officer & VIP guide, and directing a team of logistics specialists for setting up venues, monitoring secessions, and providing logistical support
