Open to opportunities

Caelan Courpalais

@caelancourpalais

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Process Development Scientist | Viral Vector Purification Expert Avid runner and Tri Athlete.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek hands-on roles in viral vector purification or process development where I can lead scale-up, optimize downstream operations, reduce costs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions, as well as customer success roles where I can help others in their roles. I am interested in breakout bioinformatic roles as well.

I am a performance-oriented scientist with deep expertise in purification processes for viral vector gene therapy, having pioneered advanced purification strategies and driven measurable cost reductions at Matica Biotechnology. I led the design and development of purification protocols for AAV8/AAV2, AdV5, HSV-1, Lentivirus, and Gamma-Retro Virus, played a pivotal role in scale-up and technical transfer, and helped increase facility usage and ROI through process optimization.

I bring hands-on downstream processing experience across TFF, chromatography (CIEX, AIEX, AFF, SEC), filter fouling and shear studies, and media adaptation for HEK293/HEK293T systems, along with proficiency in DeltaV, AKTA systems, Pall Allegro/Krosflo TFF equipment, SAP, Trackwise, Blue Mountain, and Veeva. I am motivated by opportunities to design robust manufacturing records, optimize unit operations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, cost-effective bioprocess solutions.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Research Associate

Current

Stealth Mode

Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 4 months)

I push forward projects on the Protein Chemistry team for novel metabolic engineering in plants and protein design. Lab Bench Analysis including but not limited to cell culturing, recombinant protein design/expression, design of in vitro assays, transient expression assays, DoE optimizations, Immunohistochemistry techniques, Confocal Imaging techniques.

Python R Protein Sciences Protein Expression

Scientist I - Viral Vector Purification

Matica Biotechnology

Sep 2022 - Mar 2024 (1 year 6 months)

Spearheaded design and development of purification protocols for AAV8/AAV2, AdV5, HSV-1, lentivirus and gamma-retrovirus, achieving significant cost reductions by improving unit operation efficiency and enabling technical transfer. Led process optimization (TFF, chromatography, buffer formulation) and prepared Batch Production Records and sampling plans for manufacturing.

AAV Lentivirus Purification Process Optimization

Manufacturing Technician III / Team Lead

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies

Aug 2020 - Sep 2022 (2 years 1 month)

Executed clinical-phase drug substance manufacturing for viral vectors and recombinant proteins, leading clarification, TFF/UFDF, formulation and chromatography operations and contributing to over 100% increase in facility usage. Coordinated runs with QC/QA/Materials/Engineering and served as SME for resin/membrane chromatography.

Depth Filtration TFF UFDF CIEX AIEX AFF SEC Chromatography AKTA Pall Krosflo TFF

Lab Manager / Chemist

Advanced Organic Synthesis

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Managed lab operations and executed commercial organic synthesis projects, doubling lab production and delivering up to 600% ROI on select projects through process improvements and throughput increase. Oversaw inventory, shipping/receiving, waste management and routine analytical testing.

Rotary Evaporation Inventory Management