Scientist · Analyst · Developer

Mark
Zhang

At the intersection of molecular biology, biopharmaceuticals, and software engineering. From cancer-research benchwork to GMP analytics to clinical NGS accessioning — bridging the bench and the terminal.

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// professional experience

Where I've worked.

EMS · BLS · CPR
Illini Emergency Medical Services Nov 2014 – 2018

Emergency Medical Technician – Basic

Volunteered as a first responder at sporting events and across campus, providing prompt emergency medical assistance. Collaborated with team members during university events and training, and worked alongside paramedics in response to live emergency calls.

EMT-B BLS CPR First Response Triage
USP OCHL OTUB ori 293T
Lin Feng Chen Lab, UIUC May 2016 – Aug 2016

Research Assistant

Designed and constructed DNA libraries of genes encoding ubiquitin-modifying enzymes in the USP, OCHL, and OTUB gene families related to stomach cancer. Designed PCR primers and verified products via gel electrophoresis. Cultured HEK293T cells and performed recombinant plasmid transfections for gene expression analysis. Evaluated library accuracy using DNA sequencing and protein analysis via SDS-PAGE and Western Blot.

DNA Cloning PCR HEK293T Transfection Western Blot SDS-PAGE
VO₂ time
Exercise Neuroscience Lab, UIUC Jun 2016 – Aug 2016

Research Assistant

Conducted in-person interviews with patients to capture habits and physical condition. Administered diagnostic physical tests including the VO₂ Max Test for patients with multiple sclerosis. Organised and analysed patient data in Excel to surface trends in the effect of exercise on MS symptoms.

VO₂ Max Patient Interviews MS Research Data Analysis Excel
0 25 50 75 100 Retention Time (min) mAU 3.2 min 7.8 min
PPD (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) Feb 2020 – Oct 2020

Assistant Scientist – Biopharmaceuticals

Performed sample preparation and HPLC analysis to quantitatively measure biopharmaceutical compounds across formulations for stability and analytical testing under GMP specifications. Reviewed and compiled chemical analysis results against SOP acceptance criteria in collaboration with clients. Cross-trained in QA auditing during the pandemic to maintain timely delivery of Certificates of Analysis. Initiated a lab-wide cleanup after identifying incorrect HPLC waste disposal practices.

HPLC GMP Sample Prep QA Audits SOP Compliance
PAWS Chicago Apr 2023 – Present

Volunteer, Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center

Provide care and socialisation for rescued animals at a non-profit shelter operating under a No Kill mission. Assist potential adopters in finding the right match, answering questions about adoption procedures and the shelter's mission to support successful placements.

Animal Care Adoption Counseling Non-profit Community Service
Tempus AI Jul 2024 – Present

Clinical Lab Associate

Managed receipt and chain of custody for patient tumor, saliva, and blood cancer samples destined for next-generation sequencing (NGS). Verified patient information and sample integrity, recording data into the enterprise LIMS. Conducted peer reviews to ensure ALCOA+ and GCP documentation compliance. Accessioned 800+ FFPE blocks/month at a 0.03% error rate.

NGS LIMS Chain of Custody ALCOA+ GCP

Bench science meets
software.

I'm a scientist and developer with hands-on experience across molecular biology, biopharmaceutical analytics, and clinical lab operations — combined with a genuine passion for building software that makes laboratory and research workflows more efficient.

My career has taken me from constructing DNA libraries and running protein analysis in a cancer-research lab at UIUC, to performing GMP-compliant HPLC assays on drug candidates at PPD (now Thermo Fisher), to accessioning clinical specimens for next-generation sequencing at Tempus AI.

When I'm not at the bench or the keyboard, I'm exploring the intersection of life-science data and code — building tools, automating pipelines, and looking for the next interesting problem to solve.

0
Industry positions
0
FFPE blocks / month
0
Lab disciplines
0
Programming languages

// skills & tools

What I work with.

A hands-on toolkit built across molecular biology research, GMP biopharmaceutical labs, clinical specimen accessioning, and full-stack development. The focus is on roles where regulated science and software meet.

GMP / GLP Compliance
Core
Performed sample preparation and HPLC analysis under GMP specifications at PPD. Currently conduct ALCOA+ and GCP compliance peer reviews at Tempus AI.
QC Analyst LIMS
SOP Execution & Review
Core
Executed sample analysis under SOP at PPD and reviewed analytical results against SOP acceptance criteria in collaboration with clients.
QC Analyst Histotech
Quality Assurance & Auditing
Proficient
Cross-trained during the pandemic to perform QA audits on experiment documentation at PPD, including CAPA follow-through to maintain timely delivery of Certificates of Analysis.
QC Analyst
Chain of Custody & Accessioning
Core
Manage receipt and chain of custody for tumor, saliva, and blood cancer samples destined for NGS at Tempus AI, ensuring proper hand-off into the LIMS pipeline.
Histotech LIMS
Aseptic Technique
Core
BSL-2 aseptic work across UIUC university labs and the Chen Lab, including autoclave operation and sterile HEK293T cell culture during plasmid transfection.
QC Analyst
HPLC
Core
Performed dozens of HPLC analysis procedures at PPD to quantitatively measure biopharmaceutical compounds across formulations for stability and analytical testing under GMP.
QC Analyst
SDS-PAGE & Western Blot
Proficient
Verified DNA library accuracy via protein analysis at the Chen Lab (UIUC), running SDS-PAGE separations and Western Blot detection on expressed ubiquitin-modifying enzymes.
QC Analyst
PCR & DNA Sequencing
Proficient
Designed PCR primers and verified products via gel electrophoresis, with downstream DNA sequencing to validate library accuracy. Currently supporting NGS specimen processing at Tempus AI.
QC Analyst LIMS
Immunofluorescence
Proficient
Hands-on experience with immunofluorescent staining and microscopy through coursework and lab work at UIUC.
Histotech
H&E Staining
Core
Routine and special stains run on the Tissue-Tek Prisma at Tempus AI.
Histotech
Tissue-Tek Prisma
Core
Daily operation and troubleshooting of the Prisma auto-stainer platform at Tempus AI.
Histotech
Dreampath Fina
Proficient
FFPE block storage and retrieval as part of the specimen-processing workflow at Tempus AI.
Histotech
Cryostat & Microtomy
Proficient
Frozen sectioning and block preparation feeding downstream staining and digital imaging pipelines.
Histotech
LIMS
Core
Daily LIMS use at Tempus AI for specimen tracking, accessioning, and result entry.
LIMS
SQL
Proficient
Relational database modeling and query authoring.
LIMS
JavaScript / React / Node.js / Next.js
Proficient
Full-stack projects including Movie Bot and CTA Transit Tracker, demonstrating that the science-plus-code background is backed by real shipped work.
LIMS
// credentials
ASCP HTL Exam planned
BSc Molecular & Cellular Biology, Minor in Chemistry UIUC

// projects

Selected work.

Software

Movie Bot

Discord bot built with Node.js and discord.js that searches the TMDB API and returns interactive poster collage embeds with button-based navigation.

Software

CTA Transit Tracker

Cross-platform Expo app that maps live CTA buses and 'L' trains in real time, with Turf.js dead-reckoning interpolation and a cached Node/Express proxy in front of the CTA APIs.

Research

Ubiquitin Enzyme DNA Library

Designed PCR primers and constructed validated DNA libraries for USP, OCHL, and OTUB gene families at the Lin Feng Chen Lab (UIUC), studying ubiquitin-modification pathways implicated in stomach cancer. Library accuracy verified via DNA sequencing, SDS-PAGE, and Western Blot.

Analytical

Bioanalytical Data Automation

Built Python scripts to automate sample tracking, data reformatting, and report generation from Empower chromatography outputs, reducing manual processing time.

Let's connect.

Open to laboratory scientist roles, research collaborations, and opportunities where bench science meets software. Drop me a message — I try to respond within 48 hours.