2/2017 – Present – Research & Development Engineer 4/Dept. Safety Officer
Bioengineering Department, UCSD, La Jolla, CA
Encompasses three areas of responsibilities: 1) Manage and support the instruction laboratory facilities for the Department of Bioengineering. 2) Support departmental facilities and equipment as main contact for emergency repairs, departmental lab and utilities renovation expert, and planning analyst. 3) Implement and manage safety operations for the department as the Department Safety Officer. Title change was caused by a University of California system-wide title normalization project. All duties are the same as previous job. Some new projects completed include the following:
• Provisioned the lab to open for classes less than a month after the ribbon cutting.
• Worked with construction team throughout construction hunting down old plans, initiating and helping to address Requests for Information and Change Orders as problems or opportunities arose. To see the article on the lab opening click HERE.
• Worked with the project team to design to create design documents as department contact. To see isometric renders of the new lab space click HERE.
• Worked with campus Capital Planning to choose basement renovation design team and general contractor.
• Created initial study and provisional layout for new basement instructional lab facilities.
• Provisioned and organized equipment and materials for the implementation of the new BENG 152 Biosystems laboratory class.
• Designed new user interface for main auditorium audio-visual system control.
• Completed major renovations for new faculty members as department renovation design liaison and project manager.
11/2002 – 1/2017 – Senior Development Engineer
Bioengineering Department, UCSD, La Jolla, CA
Encompasses three areas of responsibilities: 1) Manage and support the instruction laboratory facilities for the Department of Bioengineering. 2) Support departmental facilities and equipment as the main contact for emergency repairs, departmental lab and utilities renovation expert, and planning analyst. 3) Implement and manage safety operations for the department as the Department Safety Officer.
Created and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for departmental emergency response and building security system operation. Also cross-trained personnel from other groups such as IT and Finance.
Created and maintain the department continuity plan.
Designed both minor and major lab renovations and was a pivotal liaison for the creation of the Cell Engineering Research Core, a CIRM funded stem cell facility.
Designed fixtures and tooling using ProE and AutoCAD to support new experiments and to replace items that can no longer be purchased.
Created CAD descriptions in ProE and AutoCAD for the existing custom technologies that did not have documentation.
Created and instituted standard document control systems.
Designed and maintain internal department web pages for Facilities and Safety information.
Train students in safety requirements for Instructional Core laboratory use.
Successfully moved and installed the Instructional Core laboratory to a new facility.
Obtain advanced technology and capabilities for the instructional labs at lowest possible cost.
CERT training for Campus Emergency Response Team.
1/2002 – 10/2002 – Consulting Laboratory Automation Engineer
Consulting and contract work for a number of companies.
Reviewed documentation system and content in order to help validate new procedures and assure compliance.
Analyzed and reviewed integrated system designs for economic effectiveness.
Set up a simple compound management system.
Installed and validated new liquid handling and lyophilizing technologies.
Designed a safety enclosure for a novel microarray printer.
4/2000 – 1/2002 - Director, Microarray Automation
Biocept, Inc., Carlsbad, CA
Managed and developed the automated production system for the company's hydro-gel based microarray technology while supervising all of the company’s engineering staff and activities.
Developed validation tests and technology to determine manufacturing protocols.
Led team to develop the automated production system for the company's hydro-gel based microarray technology.
Designed multiple engineering prototype level manufacturing systems (two generations) that allowed us to produce hundreds of arrays a week. These systems required dozens of custom designed parts (Solidworks) and industrial hardware and automation (Adept and Mitsubishi robots). Throughput increased 4x and 8x respectively over the initial process.
Brought in novel off-the-shelf technologies (the first 2 arm Biomek FX shipped post β-testing).
Created a document control system.
Created planning processes (TurboProject) and standard QA/QC (Statistical Process Control) procedures for managing progress and quality.
Directly managed the engineering group and led multi-disciplinary teams for product and process development.
Presented and published about our technology at multiple venues.
Initiated and brought in necessary safety processes and equipment.
(see Presentations & Publications below).
10/1999 - 3/2000 - Senior Staff Engineer
Nanogen, Inc., San Diego, CA
Specifying, integrating, and programming liquid transfer robots in support of an in-house drug-discovery program.
Led the effort to identify and pick liquid handling automation for the project.
Created the custom programming that ran the liquid handling automation.
Created the simple sample tracking database which allowed the first comprehensive analysis of partner performance on the project.
Designed custom fixtures and tooling to integrate liquid handling with a plate stacking robot (Solidworks).
7/1995 ‑ 9/1999 - Senior Systems Engineer/Senior Staff Engineer
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (fka Sequana Therapeutics, last known as Celera Therapeutics), La Jolla, CA
Responsibilities included designing electromechanical hardware, software (custom schedulers) and graphical user interfaces for integrating the automation and implementing protocols, along with conducting research into new technologies that might be applicable to the needs of the business.
Automation team took throughput from 125,000 to 1,000,000 microsatellite marker genotypes per year.
Led the group and teams that enabled additional throughput gains from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 microsatellite marker genotypes per year.
Created the document control system.
Created validation and QA/QC tests for the automation systems that allowed us to achieve industry leading utilization of our automation (14hr/day).
Designed, specified, and integrated liquid handling automation for genetic/biochemical research in a mass production environment.
Designed custom electromechanical hardware, software (custom schedulers) and graphical user interfaces for integrating the automation and implementing protocols. Many applications were novel and were presented at national and international forums for the industry.
Conducted research into basic technologies that might be applicable to the needs of the organization in the future, such as piezo-electric non-contact dispensing and microarray printing.
Managed a staff of three, composed of engineers and technicians.
Worked in widely diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
To see images of the robots and software click HERE.
3/1992 - 7/1995 - Product/Project Engineer
New Image Industries, Inc., San Juan Capistrano, CA
Duties included research, design and drafting in support of product development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, radiation safety and marketing/sales efforts for a dental endoscope manufacturer.
Implemented formal production target tracking and performance metrics.
Created manufacturing documentation and assembly drawings for intra-oral camera manufacture.
Performed critical quality control procedures on camera electronics.
Trained our Japanese supplier on QC procedures in Japan.
Designed changes needed to meet various regulatory requirements of different nationalities (different power ports, ventilation slot sizes, special transformers).
Sourced regulatory testing services.
Created documentation and managed the submissions for new designs and product to the regulatory and safety review agencies. This included UL 544, CSA C22.2 No. 125, IEC 601-1 (pre CE mark) and FDA requirements. I created the submission packet for all of the FDA released products.
Achieved a UL 544 mark in three weeks post a novel power switch design change.
Created the Service Manual for each of our systems.
Designed the X-Ray testing bench for our filmless dental X-Ray product. This included sourcing the equipment.
Served as the company Radiation Safety Officer (X-Ray systems).
Investigated new technologies for applicability for either manufacturing or licensing.
Performed human factors design studies for the filmless dental X-Ray product including live testing of model sensors.
To see images of New Image's product lines, the AcuCams, please click HERE.
5/1989 – 12/1990 - Research Assistant
U.C. Santa Barbara, Dept. of Mechanical & Environmental Engineering
Research activities centered on implementation of an experimental three-fingered end-effector for manufacturing use.
Created wiring designs and diagrams.
Created the integrated robotic system to carry the hand and control multiple robots (1 Seiko Accusembler, 2 Panasonic Panarobos).
Developed and created the novel optimal force control algorithms and software using simplex method optimization.
To see images of the research work cell click HERE.
Oracle Financial Cloud, Concur Travel & Expense
CAD - AutoCAD, Alibre Design, SolidWorks, TurboCAD
Microsoft Office applications including Access
1/2014 – SLAS2014 – San Diego, CA – One day short course
1/2012 – SLAS2012 – San Diego, CA – One day short course
1/2011 – LabAutomation2011 – Palm Springs, CA – Two, one day short courses
1/2010 – LabAutomation2010 – Palm Springs, CA – Two, one day short courses
1/2009 – LabAutomation2009 – Palm Springs, CA – Two, one day short courses
1/2008 – LabAutomation2008 – Palm Springs, CA – Two, one day short courses
1/2007 - LabAutomation2007 – Palm Springs, CA – One day short course
1/2006 - LabAutomation2006 – Palm Springs, CA – One day short course
Liquid Handling Boot Camp
A hands on introduction to robotic liquid handlers and automated pipetting techniques. The first third of the course is an introduction to terminology, components, pipetting theory (focusing on air gaps, speed and viscosity issues), validation/QC testing and decontamination. The remaining two thirds of the class are hands on set-up and practice on actual liquid handling robots based on pre-designed exercises. The students use scientific dyes in water, white vinegar (to simulate DMSO) or with glycerol. This course does not cover ink-jet type spotting/printing systems.
1/2006 - LabAutomation2006 – Palm Springs, CA – One day short course
1/2005 - LabAutomation2005 – San Jose, CA – One day short course
2/2004 - LabAutomation2004 – San Jose, CA – One day short course
2/2003 - LabAutomation2003 – Palm Springs, CA – One day short course
Economic Justification of Lab Automation
This course is designed for anyone interested in analyzing the costs and justifications of laboratory automation, from lab scientist or manager to financial officer needing an introduction into laboratory financial issues. The goal of this course is to introduce the students to the terminology and methods used in the economic analysis of laboratory automation. Various automation hardware options will be discussed in detail, concentrating on the strengths and weaknesses of each. Students will also learn the basic methods necessary to perform economic analysis with specific application to the drug discovery/biotechnology environment. Real- world current pricing and costs on equipment and reagents will be used to illustrate the topics discussed. Case studies from industry will be shown (with company names removed). For a copy of the spreadsheet template, click HERE
9/1998 - 12/1998
9/1999 - 11/1999 - UCSD Extension
Drug Discovery: Laboratory Automation and Economic Justification
UCSD Extension - Division of Science, Engineering and Environmental Studies, UC San Diego, CA
Developed the curriculum, taught and graded the class. Classes met Thursdays from 7 to 10pm. The goal of this course was to introduce the terminology, hardware (i.e., robots), and economic justifications of laboratory automation. Various automation hardware options were discussed in detail, concentrating on the strengths and weaknesses of each. Students were also taught the basic methods necessary to perform economic analysis with specific application to the drug discovery/biotechnology environment. Real-world current pricing and costs on equipment and reagents were used to illustrate the topics discussed.
UC Santa Barbara, Dept. of Mechanical & Environmental Engineering.
Dynamic Systems, Controls and Robotics
M.S. Mechanical Engineering
OPTIMAL FORCE CONTROL USING LINEARIZED FRICTION CONE CONSTRAINTS
To see the Thesis click HERE.
UC San Diego, Revelle College, Dept.of Applied Mechanics & Engineering Sciences
B.S. Engineering Science
ASME-The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
SLAS-The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening, ALA division, Program Chair LabAutomation2006, Executive Editor JALA 2007 & 2008
LRIG-The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group – First Executive Chair of San Diego Chapter
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS:
October 1996 - Poster, “Gene Hunting with Robotic Assistance”, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Timothy R. Walker, Nance Hall, Michael J. Kealy, Andy R. Watson, Poster, 8th International Genome Sequencing and Analysis Conference, Hilton Head, South Carolina
To see the poster abstract click HERE.
January 1997 - Poster, “A Custom User Interface for Packard MultiPROBETM Robots”, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Gary V. Millard, Andy R. Watson, LabAutomation 97, San Diego, CA
To see a PDF of the poster click HERE and click on the LabAuto1997.pdf file.
January 1997 - Presentation, “Automation for Genotyping and Sequencing at Sequana Therapeutics”, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Barbara Armstrong, Marcos A. Piani, Michael Stewart, Petar D. Stojadinovic, Lois C. Tack, Timothy R. Walker, Andy R. Watson, LabAutomation 97, San Diego, CA
To see the presentation abstract click HERE.
January 1997 - Presentation, “Automated Retrieval of Clone Libraries Utilizing the Biomek®
2000 Robotic Workstation”, Petar Stojadinovic, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Andy R. Watson, LabAutomation 97, San Diego, CA
To see the presentation abstract click HERE.
March 1997 - Poster, AUTOMATED MULTIPLEXING OF MICROSATELLITE MARKER PCR PRODUCT, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Timothy R. Walker, Andy R. Watson, AMS 97, Heidelberg, Germany
To see a PDF of the poster click HERE and click on the AMS1997.pdf file.
October 1997 - Poster, HIGH‑THROUGHPUT GENOTYPING: A COMPLETE SYSTEM, E. Nanthakumar, W. Cunha, G. Ederer, C. Manaster, A. Roter, D. Gurevitch, A. Watson, R. Idury, L. Cardon and J. Hall., ASHG 97
To see the poster abstract click HERE.
January 1998 - Poster, “The Integrated Sequencing System at Sequana Therapeutics”, Mike Stewart, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Barbara Armstrong, Yalin Wei, Daniel Stih, Timothy R. Walker, Lin Zuo, Andy R. Watson, LabAutomation 98, San Diego, CA
To see the poster abstract click HERE.
October 1998 - Presentation, PIEZO-ELECTRIC BASED SAMPLE DISPENSING FOR DNA MICRO-ARRAYS AND OTHER APPLICATIONS, D. N. Gurevitch, C. W. Kincade, D. Seidenspinner, A. R. Watson, P. Wiktor, AMS 98, St. Louis, MO
To see a PDF of the presentation click HERE and click on AMS1998.pdf file.
February 1999 - Poster, “Robotic Plate Replication for Combinatorial Chemistry Using Unique Plate Storage Methods”, Douglas N. Gurevitch, Brett A. Williams, Nathan Collins, LabAutomation 99, San Diego, CA
To see a PDF of the poster click HERE and click on the LabAuto1999.pdf file.
September 1999 - Poster, “SNP Genotyping Using Liquid Arrays”, B. Armstrong, A. Nanthakumar, M. Stewart, Y. Tran, K. Ware, D. N. Gurevitch, A. Mazumder, AMS 99, The Sanger Centre, Hinxton, UK
To see a PDF of the poster click HERE and click on AMS1999.pdf file.
October 2000 - Presentation, “A Robotic System for the Robust Production of Hydrogel Based Genetic Microarrays”, D. N. Gurevitch, P. Roycroft, P. Tsinberg, S. Hahn, Biocept, Inc., EuroLabAutomation 2000, London, UK
To see a PDF of the presentation click HERE and click on EuroLabAuto2000.pdf file.
January 2001 - Poster, “Experiences Using the MultiPROBE II HT(R) from Packard Biosciences”, Douglas N. Gurevitch, John C. Brugger, Roger C. Tim, Doug Brooks, Biocept, Inc., LabAutomation 2001, Palm Springs, CA
To see a PDF of the poster click HERE and click on LabAuto2001.pdf file.
September 2001 - Publication, “A Novel Three-Dimensional Hydrogel-Based Microarray Platform”, Douglas Gurevitch, X. Fan Dong, Tony J. Pircher, Sandra S. Matsumoto, Pat Roycroft, Pavel Tsinberg, Yehudit H. Falcovitz,
Soonkap Hahn, JALA, Volume 6, Number 4, pages 87-91.
To go to the JALA Online web site see a PDF of the article click HERE.
January 2002 - Presentation, “MicroArray Capture Probe Design: An Integrated and Automated Approach Through Informatics”, Douglas Gurevitch, Doug Brooks, Roger Tim, Bart Wanders, Biocept, Inc., LabAutomation2002, Palm Springs, CA, USA
To see a PDF of the presentation click HERE and click on LabAuto2002.pdf file.
June 2003 – Book Chapter, “Microarrays Methods and Applications”, Chapter 2 “Laboratory Automation For Microarray Experimentation”, Editor Gary Hardiman, DNA Press, Eagleville, PA.
February 2004 – Publication, “JALA Tutorial: Economic justification of laboratory automation”, Douglas Gurevitch, JALA, Volume 9/ Issue 1, pp. 33-43
To go to the JALA Online web site and see a PDF of the article click HERE.
November 2007 – Publication, “Robotics in the laboratory: where we have been and where we are going”, Gurevitch, Douglas, Medical Laboratory Observer, November 1st, 2007.
To see a PDF of the article click HERE and click on RoboticsInTheLab.pdf.
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Updated 12/4/2025