Riccardo Mele
Scientist / Analytical Development, Lab Automation
Lausanne
Summary
Communicative Scientist proficient in Analytical chemistry. Talented individual educated in GMP procedures, technical troubleshooting and laboratory automation. Responsible and accountable, I leverage exceptional technical knowledge and attention to the detail to better satisfy customer needs.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
SCIENTIST ANALYTICAL OPERATIONS AND QC
MERCK SERONO SA
05.2023 - Current
- Set up of GMP processes for new QC Laboratory: GMP sample management, control samples and reference standard management
- Set up of analytical strategy for Protein content release assay: CQV/CSV validation of a UV Plate reader, documentation management, validation of formulas, integration with SDMS (Nugenesis)
- Acted as QC SME during Swiss Medic inspection for GMP licensing of new facilities - achieved in November 2023 with no observations for the topics I presented.
- Training of staff members and technical review of data
PROJECT ENGINEER - ROBOTIC PLATFORM & AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS
MERCK SERONO SA
11.2022 - 04.2023
- Provided technical expertise throughout all phases of the project (design, FAT, SAT, CQV), ensuring accurate execution of designs and specifications.
- Developed detailed project plans to ensure timely completion and deliverables were met.
- Identified risks and implemented mitigation strategies, minimizing potential issues during the project lifecycle.
- Monitored installations and equipment for compliance with drawings and specifications. Assessed change order requests in response to out-of-scope activities.
ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST - ANALYTICAL DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
MERCK SERONO SA
05.2021 - 11.2022
- Developed and validated analytical methods to ensure accurate results in various assays (LC, UV-VIS spectroscopy)
- Enhanced team productivity by streamlining workflows through process improvements, laboratory automation and digitalization solutions
- Coordinated and managed laboratory projects and experiments.
- Authored technical reports and manuscripts, clearly communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- Performed scientific review of results and technical troubleshooting, supporting laboratory staff to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
- Provided support and guidance to junior lab staff.
ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER - ANALYTICAL DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION, TECH TRANSFER
MERCK SERONO SPA
04.2019 - 05.2021
- Physico-chemical method development and validation for determination of various CQAs in Biotech Injectable products, in compliance to guidelines (ICH, FDA, JP)
- Life-Cycle management and support to existing methods of marketed products (e.g. alternative LC column validation)
- Technology transfer to QC sites: GMP documentation drafting, statistical evaluations, schedule timelines, personnel training
- Remote and on-site troubleshooting for analytical issues to QC laboratories
- Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary CMC teams to address complex questions (e.g. supporting investigations on process/formulation)
- Assist regulatory document drafting for Phase 1 submissions and Biosimilarity assessments
Junior Researcher - Analytical Development
Merck Serono SPA
09.2017 - 03.2019
- Collaborated with researchers and scientists to design and execute experiments.
- Analyzed results using analytical software and created reports.
- Demonstrated adaptability by flexibly adjusting to changing project requirements and evolving research objectives.
- Consistently met deadlines for project deliverables while maintaining high standards for quality control checks on collected data.
JUNIOR DMPK SCIENTIST
IRBM SCIENCE PARK
10.2015 - 09.2017
- HPLC and UHPLC/UV invitro assays (Kinetic solubility, log D) to support drug discovery research
- Quantitative determination of biomolecules in cell extracts via HPLC/MS/MS (QQQ)
- Metabolite ID of small molecules and peptides in biofluids such as liver microsomes, plasma, urine, and brain extracts with LC-HRMS analysis (Q-exactive Orbitrap)
- Directly reporting to customers, propose CRO services for the isolation and characterization of metabolites of interest from biofluids following Pharmacokinetics, in collaboration with other departments (e.g
- NMR and LAR).
Education
Master of Science - Chemistry
University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
Rome, Italy 05.2013 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
Rome, Italy 05.2010 - 05.2013
Skills
Project Management
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/01/1991
- Nationality: Italian
- Driving License: B
Publications
- Reactions of the Cumyloxyl Radical with Secondary Amides. The Influence of Steric and Stereoelectronic Effects on the Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactivity and Selectivity, 2014, M. Salamone, R. Mele, M. Bietti (Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 24, 6444–6447)
- An efficient liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry approach for the optimization of the metabolic stability of therapeutic peptides, 2017, S. Esposito, R. Mele, E. Monteagudo, L. Orsatti (Anal Bioanal Chem 409, 2685–2696, 2017)
- Fatty acid acylated peptide therapeutics: discovery of omega-n oxidation of the lipid chain as a novel metabolic pathway in preclinical species, 2023, S. Esposito, L. Orsatti, R. Mele, S. Mallart (J Pharm Biomed Anal . 2023 Apr 1:227:115256)
Interests & hobbies
I outdoor sports, and football is my passion. I manage a football team competing in an amateur league in Lausanne since 2022.
I am interested in technology, PC building, and gaming
When I am on the train, I love listening to podcasts about history.
Timeline
SCIENTIST ANALYTICAL OPERATIONS AND QC
MERCK SERONO SA
05.2023 - Current
PROJECT ENGINEER - ROBOTIC PLATFORM & AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS
MERCK SERONO SA
11.2022 - 04.2023
ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST - ANALYTICAL DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
MERCK SERONO SA
05.2021 - 11.2022
ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER - ANALYTICAL DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION, TECH TRANSFER
MERCK SERONO SPA
04.2019 - 05.2021
Junior Researcher - Analytical Development
Merck Serono SPA
09.2017 - 03.2019
JUNIOR DMPK SCIENTIST
IRBM SCIENCE PARK
10.2015 - 09.2017
Master of Science - Chemistry
University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
05.2013 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
05.2010 - 05.2013
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