Admasu Melake Berhan

Curriculum Vitae | Research Scientist

Germantown, MD 20874
Phone: (301) 5156475 Cell: (240) 4811192
Email: am_berhan@yahoo.com

Summary: Professional with over 10 years of animal and plant molecular biology research experience.
Experienced in molecular biology, genomics, biochemistry, plant and animal cell culture techniques and
methods.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Ke'aki Technologies, LLC | United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases
(USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, Maryland 01/2013 07/2014
Research Technician
Conducted basic and applied research genotyping Non-Human primates (NHPs)
Extracted DNA and RNA, synthesized cDNA, run PCR, qPCR, emulsion PCR and gel
electrophoresis
Ran Next Generation Sequencing on 454 and Illumina platforms
Designed and optimized assays
Operated genetic analyzers, Bio-Rad thermo cyclers, Bio-analyzers, and QIA symphony robots
Conducted all experiments in Bio-Safety Level 2 containment facility
Complied with laboratory regulations and Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 11

J. Craig Venture Institute, Rockville, MD 10/2005 01/2013
Associate Research Scientist
Conducted basic and applied research on transformation of yeast cell with synthetic gene clusters, to
develop novel cells that have the potential to synthesize new pharmaceutical and/or industrial
products
Conducted genotyping of bacteria, fungi and eukaryotic genomes using different molecular markers
Participated in writing, editing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Kept accurate database of specimens collected and stored in repository
Utilized Microsoft Office and other programs for data and statistical analysis
Trained new employees and interns

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) 03/1998 07/2004
Molecular Biologist | Biotechnologist
Showed the advantages of molecular markers for screening large segregating populations
Wrote grants and obtained funds for new research projects and prepared budgets
Supervised laboratory and field technicians
Served as Project Coordinator for five years, and successfully led an interdisciplinary team of
scientists to devise an integrated management practice that greatly helped pest management and
improved farmers yield
Identified and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with biotic and biotic stress resistance
Saved the Institute hundreds of thousands of Dollars in research funds by in-house producing
critical enzymes and reagents
Trained graduate students and supervised thesis projects





EDUCATION
Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

PhD in Biology
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Ababa University, Ethiopia

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Experienced in preparation of laboratory media, formulation and preparation of different buffers and
reagents
Experienced in extraction of nucleic acids and proteins and in genotyping prokaryotic and eukaryotic
genomes
Excellent knowledge of FDA and ICH rules, regulations and guidance
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of HIPAA, animal and human research protection and
informed consent
Trained and knowledgeable about Good Clinical Practices (GPCs), and current good manufacturing
practices (cGMP) of drugs/ biologics
Experienced in document preparation; writing and editing of SOPs, annul reports and journal articles
Experienced in searching and locating relevant regulatory and guidance information in FDA and
other International regulatory agencies database
Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and multitasking skills
Holding public trust clearance
Proficient in Microsoft Access, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other software programs