Ashma Gautam

Experienced Laboratory Operations Manager with a strong background in leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and ensuring regulatory compliance in laboratory environments. Proven success in spearheading high-impact initiatives, such as collaborating with Mom’s Across America (MAA) to launch a nationwide testing program on food safety. Skilled in conducting internal and external audits, revising standard operating procedures (SOPs), and improving operational efficiencies.

Expertise in handling clinical and environmental samples and delivering accurate reporting to government agencies. I am a strong communicator and problem-solver advocating for continuous improvement in operations and management

Laboratory Operations Manager / Health Research Institute Laboratories  08/2021 – 06/2024

• Led cross functional team of scientists in collaboration with Mom’s Across America (MAA) to initiate an extensive testing program on the top 20 fast food brands and school lunches from all 51 states in America to raise awareness on the harmful effects of pesticides in our food system.
• Created Certificate of Analysis (COA) to report data and findings to EPA and congressional legislatures. 
• Led internal and external audits to document and report non-conformances, revised and standardized the SOP’s, and ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Collected, inspected, processed, and reported clinical (hair, urine, blood) and non-clinical (environmental) samples in adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensured proper handling and transportation of samples to third-party laboratories, achieving a record of zero contamination incidents.
• Implemented ISO 17025, CLIA ‘98, state/federal guidelines, to improve operational compliance, laboratory efficiencies, and resulting in 50% reduction in turnaround time. 

Assistant to the Director of Development - promoted to - Major Gift Officer/ Maharishi University of Management  03/2019 – 07/2021

• Raised over $1.2 million in philanthropic funds through individual major gifts, securing donations from corporations and private foundations.
• Built relationships with key partners and developed donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Generated personalized communications and oversaw engagement with the highest yielding donors.

Program Administrator / Foodpanda India  06/2016 – 11/2018

• Designed and implemented a customer-centric, data-driven project strategy increasing the company’s brand awareness by 50% and website traffic by 30%.
• Led various projects facilitating effective communication across various stakeholders, and vendors to ensure smooth project execution.
• Proactively resolved issues and minimized delays, consistently meeting project timelines and maintaining high quality standards.

MBA : Sustainable Business  05/2021

Maharishi International University, USA

B.Sc. (Hons.) : Agriculture 05/2016

Allahabad Agricultural University, India

Certifications

• Standard Operating Procedure Writing Guide 

HACCP International • 2023

• ISO 17025:2017

Labtech Institute • 2022

• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science • 2022

• Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach 

National Academy of Sports Medicine • 2024