Jr Salazar

Experienced chemist with 17 years of professional work experience in academia and water industry. Highly specialized in laboratory management, scientific equipment, research operations, and safety compliance. Possesses a strong analytical mindset coupled with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Recognized for the ability to lead and manage across multiple departments and achieving target goals and objectives.

Instructional Support Technician II – Chemistry Stockroom Manager - California State University at San Bernardino - San Bernardino, CA

(2014-07)

• Manage daily laboratory operations for the chemistry department and instructional laboratories.
• Perform chemical and reagent preparation for instructional laboratories per the University's teaching curriculum of courses.
• Perform operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation within the chemistry department.
• Procurement of laboratory chemicals, materials and equipment for course needs.
• Assist with the proper collection and disposal of hazardous waste from instructional & research laboratories in accordance with state and local governing agencies.
• Manage and monitor chemical inventories within the department via the RSS system.
• Supervise student assistants with laboratory prep work and experimental set-up.
• Serve as committee member of new hires as needed.

Associate Manager of Research Operations - Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences - Claremont, CA

(2012-06 - 2014-07)

• Developed and conducted training for the Institute's biosafety program and chemical laboratory safety.
• Served as departmental contact for issues related to laboratory safety, facility operations, vendor relations, and equipment/instrument maintenance.
• Assisted on contractor bids and supervised construction duties that pertained to laboratories.
• Conducted laboratory safety inspections and wrote corrective action reports for laboratories with high-risk violations.
• Assisted with maintaining school records and documentation pertaining to student safety, medical waste, hazardous waste manifests, SDS, and equipment certification.
• Managed the chemical inventory of all research laboratories via Vertere, including registered controlled substances.
• Performed training of instrumentation for graduate students in the Bioengineering program.

Research Associate - Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences - Claremont, CA

(2008-10 - 2012-06)

• Managed the Marsh A. Cooper Bioengineering Laboratory with laboratory operations and research.
• Performed various studies on PCR amplification techniques/Isothermal amplification (EXPAR).
• Performed studies that involved DNA extractions of Bacillus subtilis via mechanical cell lysis techniques.
• Performed design of experiments (DOE) and assay development.
• Performed lyophilization studies of dry sensitive reagents for an early handheld prototype device at the point-of-care.

Analytical Chemist - Test America, Inc.

(2006-09 - 2008-10)

• Performed drinking water and soil extractions using EPA methodologies.
• Performed routine maintenance/calibration of GC, GC/MS, and HPLC.
• Used LIMS software to coordinate projects and deadlines for sample batches, document preparation, data entry, and record keeping.
• Reviewed and implemented changes to standard operation procedures (SOP's) as needed.

Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry – Biochemistry Option - California State University at San Bernardino (2006-12)