Hello! I’m Grace Carrell
Come Explore
About
My Background
With my education from Washington State University, I had an unique opportunity to experience academia and industry side-by-side. With a major in microbiology coupled with minors in business and German, I had the perfect opportunity to learn about science, business, and the critical nature of good communication. I decided to continue my education at North Carolina State University and pursue a Master of Microbial Biotechnology and an MBA. With its location in Raleigh, North Carolina and close proximity to Research Triangle Park, NCSU has provided me with excellent opportunities to build a career that utilizes my passions and skills to combine business and science and make the world a better place.
My Career Goals
Growing up in a small, rural town, I understand the importance of resourcefulness. Applying this mindset to science, I believe we can use the tools we already have to help those in need. The inventiveness and innovation that drives research in RTP is invigorating and inspiring. As a team player and strong communicator, I am pursuing a career that allows me to harness the multidisciplinary opportunities the biotech industry offers. Through industry relations and business development, the leap from lab to patient can be achieved.
Part Time Work and Internship
Medicines for Life
I was fortunate to land a summer internship at United Therapeutics where I had an opportunity to establish and launch the PAH Initiative. I was then offered an extended offer through the semester to continue my role as a part time associate.
United Therapeutics
A company centered around Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a rare disease. Founded by parents in need of a cure for their daughter, United Therapeutics is committed to the successful treat and cure of PAH.
PAH Initiative
There is a lack of education surrounding PAH. The complex disease affects both the lungs and the heart making diagnosis difficult and disease progression unavoidable. The PAH Initiative provides unbranded, unbiased disease education to the PAH community to help empower patients and their doctors fight this disease together.
My Role
I helped launch the PAH Initiative at both the RTP and Maryland headquarter offices. I played a key role in the development of educational materials for employees, patients, and doctors, and have gained experience in developing copy and the rigid approval process set by the FDA.
Industry Experience
Consultant, FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies
Investigated the opportunity of entering the Chinese CDMO marketspace. Navigated complex, regulatory landscapes and diverse market segments to ultimately provide a strategic decision.
Fall 2019
Consultant, INDTI
Fall 2019
Helped establish a business plan for up and coming NC State technology. Utilized creative problem solving to identify niche markets for non-destructive testing techniques suitable for this technology.
Consultant, Comparative Medicine Institute
Sought to define the market potential for surgical coagulants. Estimated the marketability of the products and provided suggestions of future directions for the RNA aptamer-based technology.
Fall 2019
Consultant, Omega Organisms
Spring 2019
Led a team to investigate the vast market of terpenes. Identified new market segments microbial fermentation can be utilized to produce terpenes. Research was conducted through interviews with industry leaders and field experts to help advance the business plan of a start up company from NC Sate.
Consultant, Office of Research and Commercialization
Led a team to help assess the market for emerging fungicidal technologies. Investigated market potential for application of novel population genetics approach to control aflatoxin contamination in food suuply
Spring 2019
Consultant, Novozymes
Fall 2018
Investigated the US fats and oils market to better understand the influences affecting sales at Novozymes. Through market research, informational interviews, and literature reviews, the MMB team was able to provide the company recommendations and identify market drivers.
Consultant, LCMS Limited
August 2018-September 2018
Sought to build a foundation for the development of technology to detect accurate levels of therapeutic monoclonal antibody in a patient's blood. Identified similarities in amino acid sequences across multiple FDA approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies as potential target sequences for identification.
Scientific Experience
Biotechnology Certificate
This certificate is awarded after core biotechnology coursework, two specialty labs, and an ethics course are complete. Establishing basics in molecular cloning, DNA extraction, and affinity chromatography provides the framework for further in-depth laboratory work. Specifically, I took Virus Biotechnology and Protein Engineering labs to further my understanding of the use of viral vectors and protein therapeutics in theory and in practice.
Teaching Assistant
Capitalized on scientific knowledge and people skills gained from previous experiences. Instructed undergraduate students in an introductory course covering critical microbiology lab techniques.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Discovery of novel innate immune response pathways in Drosophila melanogaster to West Nile virus. Multidisciplinary techniques to investigate the host-pathogen relationship included cell and tissue culture, viral plaque assays, mortality studies, and bioinformatics were utilized. Application of principles found in immunology, virology, entomology, and epidemiology were employed to accomplish innovative research.
Education
What I’ve Learned
MMB/MBA - North Carolina State University
August 2018 - Present
Pursuing a Master of Microbial Biotechnology and MBA to combine my interests in microbiology, business, and communication. I hope to obtain a career in the biotechnology industry that allows me to foster the relationship between bench science and the business world, as well as collaboration between companies to further advance today's technologies.
BS - Washington State University
August 2014 - May 2018
Majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Business Administration and German allowed me to sample the advancements of science and appreciate the art that enables education and communication of such accomplishments. In addition, as a member of the Honors College and having participated in a Study Abroad program, I was introduced to and immersed in different cultures from all over the world. My experiences at WSU have helped to enrich my understanding of the world and the diverse needs to be met.
MMB Program
North Carolina State University
Bridging the gap between science and business, the Master of Microbial Biotechnology is a 2-year, non-thesis program. Its multidisciplinary coursework and close proximity to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina make the MMB program a unique addition to North Carolina State University.
MBA Track
This track in the MMB program incorporates MBA courses alongside core microbiological classes. Collaborating with the Poole School of Management, this provides students a unique opportunity to expand knowledge of both science and business.
MMB Capstone Project
Establish an unmet need
Assess existing products
Develop product idea
Establish industry contacts
Explore development strategies
Integrate into supply chain
MBA Projects
Venture Opportunity Analysis Analytics
MBA 572
This MBA class focused on student consultation for new and emerging technologies from NC State. Groups of students developed a variety of deliverables to diverse companies to help these startups go to market.
Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization
MBA 576
This course emphasizes the ideation process to bring new products through the commercialization process. Working alongside technologists at NC State, creativity and ingenuity are encouraged to solve unmet needs with emerging technologies.
Teamwork and Communication
Public Speaking
Crimson Award - Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
April 2018
For excellent and promising research in the field of molecular, cellular, and chemical biology. This distinction is given to students whose research and presentation receive the highest scores.
"We only say, 'never' because no one ever has"
