Nichole L. Cremers
South Saint Paul
Summary
Experienced laboratory manager specializing in microbial identification and diagnostic procedure enhancement. Led the development of standard operating protocols and utilized MALDI-TOF technology to improve laboratory workflows. Fostered team collaboration to drive advancements in veterinary diagnostics.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Infectious Agent Repository Manager
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul
09.2021 - Current
- Managed the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Infectious Agent Repository.
- Managed all equipment, developed and maintained standard operating procedures, enhanced isolates retained in the repository, marketed and distributed samples to clients, performed material transfer agreements, and collaborated with the office of technology to finalize MTA agreements.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory operated in an AAVLD-accredited environment.
Health Care Professional 3-Clinical Lab Science
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul
10.2016 - Current
- Assumed full responsibility for maintenance and independent troubleshooting of MALDI-TOF Biotyper.
- Communicated with the vendor, Bruker, and built the MALDI-TOF Biotyper database for use.
- Building the database includes adding specific bacteriological organisms for analysis.
- Perform identification of bacterial pathogens.
- Perform multistep culture setup of specimens including tissues and milk.
- This is a critical procedure that must be done very accurately as this could affect what is reported to the client.
- This will be an ongoing task as we continue to find organisms that are not already in the database.
- Developed and implemented new lab procedures to enhance efficiency.
- Actively assists in research efforts by performing new methods for diagnostic testing.
- Coordinated laboratory functions, regulated workflow, spot-checked findings, and directed laboratory personnel in testing and observations during absence of section head.
- Primary trainer for the bacteriology lab.
- I provide senior level knowledge to coworkers.
- Other coworkers come to me for troubleshooting or guidance on a regular basis.
- Evaluated laboratory practices and recommended improvements for procedures, methods, facilities, and equipment.
- Member of the Employee Engagement Resolution team.
- Former Chair, current member, of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Advisory Council: assist the VDL Director with other members of the VDL in improving and implementing new procedures.
- LEADS course Graduate: Leadership course through the University of Minnesota; completed Summer 2020.
- Administer and Perform Midwest Bug Exchange-proficiency testing program with 5 other diagnostic labs in the mid-west.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, an AAVLD-accredited environment.
Assistant Scientist
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul
01.2009 - 10.2016
- Perform identification of bacterial pathogens from diseased tissues from many different species of animals.
- Perform multistep culture set up of specimens including milk samples.
- Handle and process diagnostic specimens in a BSL2 environment.
- Report results for aerobic culture (E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Actinobacillus species, Pasteurella multocida, etc), anaerobic culture, Salmonella species culture, and Brachyspira species culture using a laboratory information management system.
- Analyze and interpret results of MALDI reports.
- Troubleshoot and maintain equipment.
- Create, review and edit standard operating procedures.
- Control documents for distribution.
- Perform quality control on sensitivity panels and in-house culture media.
- Review results of other technicians.
- Coordinated inter-laboratory efforts to enhance sample sharing and collaboration.
- Train new employees and graduate students.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, an AAVLD-accredited environment.
- Achieved NPIP certification for expertise in Salmonella isolation techniques.
- Contributed to Employee Engagement Team to enhance workplace morale.
- Managed documentation processes to ensure accurate record-keeping.
- Performed making media for bacterial culture and enrichment.
- Explored applications of MALDI-TOF protein analysis for bacterial toxin typing and serotyping.
- Co-Author on 'Short communication: Iodine concentrations in serum, milk, and tears after feeding Ascophyllum nodosum to dairy cows—A pilot study' U. S. Sorge, M. Henriksen, A. Bastan, N. Cremers, K. Olsen, and B. A. Crooker. J. Dairy Sci. 99:8472–8476. 2016.
- Acknowledged and lead technician in 'Assessment of in vitro oxalate degradation by Lactobacillus species cultured from veterinary probiotics' Jenny G. Cho, Connie J. Gebhart, Eva Furrow, Jody P. Lulich. AJVR Vol. 76 No. 9. September 2015.
- Aided iron study that generated preliminary data for research award evaluating related products in vivo in pigs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Minnesota
Twin Cities, MN12-2009
Skills
- MALDI-TOF
- Microbial identification
- LIMS
- Aseptic technique
- Media preparation
- Culture setup
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Team-oriented
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Infectious Agent Repository Manager
University of Minnesota
09.2021 - Current
Health Care Professional 3-Clinical Lab Science
University of Minnesota
10.2016 - Current
Assistant Scientist
University of Minnesota
01.2009 - 10.2016
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Minnesota