Ana Lucía Meléndez Munoz
Boston
Summary
Microbiologist with 6+ years of experience in experimental workflows, microbial production, and laboratory operations. Experienced in preparing cultures, formulations, and samples, performing quality-control testing, managing materials and inventory, and standardizing laboratory and production workflows. Skilled at translating experimental methods into practical, repeatable processes, with a strong interest in applying this background to beverage product development.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant II
Mass Eye and Ear
Boston
12.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented a standardized broth microdilution workflow, improving consistency across antimicrobial susceptibility testing of approximately 198 clinical bacterial isolates.
- Execute detailed laboratory workflows involving media and solution preparation, stock calculations, serial dilutions, sample standardization, 96-well plate setup, quality-control testing, and documentation.
- Prepared, processed, and tracked cultures and experimental samples, coordinating diverse preparation, incubation, and testing requirements to maintain workflow efficiency.
- Operate specialized laboratory equipment, troubleshoot difficult or contaminated samples, and refine protocols to improve consistency across the research team.
Laboratory Technician
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Barcelona
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Supported laboratory-scale product-development research on PHB bioplastic production using cyanobacteria-rich microbial cultures and photobioreactors.
- Developed a fluorescence-based screening method that reduced initial PHB assessment from approximately two days to about one hour.
- Optimized culture conditions in laboratory-scale photobioreactors, achieving 10% increase in biomass concentration over previous project results.
Production Manager
Noble Biolabs
Guatemala
10.2020 - 09.2022
- Performed and coordinated hands-on production of seven microbial products based on 11 bacterial and fungal strains, from culture preparation through filling, labeling, sealing, packaging, and storage.
- Standardized production procedures and prepared biological formulations, enhancing consistency across product batches.
- Planned production based on demand, capacity, inventory, microorganism viability, and product shelf-life; managed materials, reserve stock, and finished-product inventory.
- Monitored batch quality and product viability through contamination and concentration checks, training four laboratory technicians in production procedures and quality checks.
Laboratory Technician
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Guatemala
08.2019 - 09.2020
- Prepared culture media and experimental materials and performed aseptic tissue culture, explant handling, subculturing, and routine culture monitoring.
- Evaluated three media formulations and identified the condition retained as the project's working protocol.
- Maintained organized laboratory workflows and documented culture conditions and experimental observations.
- Trained the incoming laboratory technician on established procedures and project workflows.
Undergraduate Researcher
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Guatemala
06.2017 - 11.2018
- Developed and validated a primer set for molecular characterization of the doublesex gene in Anopheles albimanus.
- Performed RT-qPCR and documented experimental findings across multiple developmental stages.
Education
M.Sc. - Advanced Microbiology
University of Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain01-2023
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Microbiology
Universidad Del Valle De Guatemala
Guatemala City01-2019
Skills
Laboratory Operations: Sample and formulation preparation, media and solution preparation, laboratory equipment operation, aseptic technique, quality-control testing, contamination assessment, Antimicrobial testing
Product and Process Development: Method development, workflow execution, process standardization, workflow optimization, troubleshooting, laboratory-scale process support, SOP development
Production and Inventory: Demand-based production, materials and finished-product inventory, shelf-life monitoring, filling, labeling, sealing, packaging, batch-quality monitoring
Documentation and Coordination: Experimental documentation, technical reporting, work prioritization, cross-functional communication, technician training and supervision; Microsoft Excel
Languages
- Spanish, Native
- English, Professional working proficiency
- German, B1 certified; coursework through B2
Publications
PHB bioplastic production using cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes, Science of the Total Environment, 2024, Co-author
Timeline
Research Assistant II
Mass Eye and Ear
12.2024 - Current
Laboratory Technician
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
01.2023 - 07.2023
Production Manager
Noble Biolabs
10.2020 - 09.2022
Laboratory Technician
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
08.2019 - 09.2020
Undergraduate Researcher
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
06.2017 - 11.2018
M.Sc. - Advanced Microbiology
University of Barcelona
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Microbiology
Universidad Del Valle De Guatemala