Alumni Highlight: Lauren Spitz Poster ’07

When Lauren Poster ’07 appears again on her time at Ithaca College, she remembers a path formed by science, creativity, and a deep connection to the pure world. As an Environmental Studies main with a minor in Still Photography, she discovered methods to discover each her scientific curiosity and creative perspective—pursuits that may proceed to affect her profession lengthy after commencement.

After graduating in 2007, Lauren returned residence to Philadelphia, the place she labored as an environmental scientist at an environmental consulting agency. She additionally accomplished a year-long internship on the Morris Arboretum, researching the native flora of Pennsylvania, and continued pursuing images via part-time work as a marriage photographer.

Her curiosity in crops and ecology ultimately led her west to start a PhD program in plant physiology on the University of California, Santa Cruz. She transferred to Rutgers University, the place she accomplished a grasp’s diploma in plant systematics and went on to earn a PhD learning the ecological genetics of native blueberry populations.

After finishing her doctorate, Lauren spent a yr instructing as an adjunct college member at The College of New Jersey, Rider University, and the College of Staten Island, providing programs in biology, plant ecology, and associated topics. She then transitioned into business, becoming a member of Biomeme, Inc. in Philadelphia as a Quality Control Specialist.

At Biomeme, she helped develop high quality management methodology and procedures for testing and releasing molecular diagnostic merchandise, together with a conveyable, battery-powered handheld real-time PCR thermocycler and a wide range of companion diagnostic exams manufactured on website. Seven years later, she now serves as Senior Quality Manager, overseeing the corporate’s high quality division, together with each high quality management and high quality assurance for its GMP manufacturing facility.

Her work spans doc management, audits, coaching, non-conformance and CAPA administration, change management, grievance dealing with, danger administration, receiving inspection, high quality management testing, and extra. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Biomeme manufactured a SARS-CoV-2 PCR take a look at and supplied testing help for a variety of film and tv productions, together with Hustle, Servant, Stranger Things, and one of many Spider-Man movies. The firm has additionally manufactured diagnostic exams for healthcare functions, environmental monitoring, and bacterial, viral, and toxin detection.

Although her present function typically includes desk work and time within the lab, Lauren’s love for the outside stays central to her life.

“You can usually find me hiking or camping with my kids,” she says, “or in the yard tending to my native plant gardens or vegetable garden.”