This document summarizes the experience and qualifications of Steven Brown, including over 7 years of experience in petrochemical and biopharmaceutical industries as a research scientist and project manager. He has strong technical skills in fermentation science, experimental design, automation, and analytical techniques. Brown is currently pursuing his PhD researching engineering carbon metabolism in yeast. He aims to develop an industrial yeast that can increase the product portfolio of cellulosic ethanol plants.

1. BROWN – page1
A highly motivated and innovative research scientist with over 7 years’
experience in the petrochemical and biopharmaceutical industries.
An efficient project manager and excellent communicator, who values
collaborative relationships with both scientists and other professionals.
Possessing technical competencies, including fermentation and data
science, allowing delivery of detailed and reproducible scientific
research. Passionate about bringing new scientific discoveries to an
industrial setting where they can have greatest societal impact.
Enthusiastic in facilitating team development (both technically and
interpersonally) and elevating a work culture that positively impacts on
productivity and the implementation of health and safety best practices.
Currently, I am writing my doctoral research project at the University of Exeter. I am able to relocate within the
U.K. and have a full, clean driving license. Skill sets include:
 Project management
 Fermentation science
 Design of Experiments (DoE)
 High-throughput automation
 Mass spectrometry
 Mutant characterisation
 Supervisor and mentor
 Technology transfer
 Milestone validation
 Recombinant DNA techniques
 Flow cytometry
 Media development
 Risk Assessment / COSHH
 Laboratory commissioning
 Yeast and bacterial genetics
 Analytical chromatography
(GC & HPLC)
 Enzyme assay & kinetics
 Successful engineering of an industrially relevant yeast strain generating an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
perturbation library (64 genotype combinations). Supervised a laboratory technician in order to maximise
productivity of the research project (complete library validated within 13 months).
 Empirical modelling (DoE methodology) of environmental impacts and heterologous gene expression using
the ADH perturbation library, providing detailed (multi factorial) understanding within rigid time and cost
constraints.
 Validation of automated analytical techniques and manufacture of a bespoke fermentation system (ministats)
enabling high-throughput and statistically robust experimental designs and analysis.
 Selected speaker, guiding an international audience through my research in a session entitled
“Understanding & Engineering Biological Complexity” – SEB Prague 2015.
 Invited speaker, presenting my research at a symposium aiming to inspire biologists and mathematicians
promoting cross-disciplinary interaction – Imaging to Mathematical Modelling Symposium (Exeter, 2014).
 Awarded second place for oral presentations during the Carl Singer Foundation session – British Yeast
Group 2014. Presentation of poster providing constructive discussions and the opportunity to network with
several prominent yeast geneticists – Yeast 2015 (27th
ICYGMB).
 In addition to my own postgraduate research, I have successfully supervised three undergraduate research
projects. Establishing research aims, providing technical training and scheduling of equipment resources
ensured all projects delivered valuable data.
January 2012 – Present PhD in Biological Sciences Universityof Exeter
An Experimental Design Approach for Engineering Carbon Metabolism and the Production of Petroleum
Replica Fuel Molecules in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Industry-led split-site research collaboration with Royal Dutch Shell and the University of Manchester;
developing an industrial yeast biocatalyst capable of increasing the product portfolio of existing cellulosic
ethanol biorefineries.
Steven
Richard
Brown
3 Dulings Meadow, Copplestone,
Devon, EX17 5PE
(07985) 308888; (01363) 85699
Steven.R.Brown@hotmail.com

2. References avaliable on request
BROWN – page2
May 2006 – October 2008 Process Development Scientist COBRABiomanufacturing PLC
A process development team member at a contract manufacturing organisation developing pre-clinical and
clinical pharmaceuticals. I developed customer fermentation processes and provided technical transfer and
support applications for the manufacturing (GMP) department, including a scale-up study comparing the 5 L
R&D vessels with the 200 L manufacturing vessel. This ultimately reduced batch variation during manufacture,
providing customers’ material in specification, on time and within budget.
 Enjoyed volunteering for the staff committee, liaising with colleagues on issues including staff handbook
updates and grievances. I also formed a sub-committee designated to analyse and implement practices,
which would decrease the company’s carbon footprint and have a positive impact on efficiency (such as
waste management).
June 2005 – August 2005 Senior Technical Officer Universityof Hertfordshire
Demonstrating my technical ability during my undergraduate research project led to a fixed term technical role
in which I supervised the development of students’ skill sets in the field of fermentation, as part of their MSc
qualification.
Sept. 2001 – June 2005 Universityof Hertfordshire and Oklahoma State University
Applied Biology with a year in North America.
1st
class BSc Final year: Advanced Biochemistry; Immunology; Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
Project: Lactococcuslactis IO-1 productivity in chemostat culture
Contributed towards a technology group delivering innovative biotechnology solutions to all of Shell’s global
businesses. My driven nature and professionalism impacted the development of my role within the
fermentation department and I was rewarded with a promotion within 18 months of employment.
October 2008 – July 2013 Fermentation Technician Royal Dutch Shell (Innovation Biodomain)
 Optimised the fermentation and media conditions of an oleaginous yeast of interest, resulting in a lipid
accumulation value higher than that of the published literature (72 % of the theoretical maximum).
 Supported a host characterisation project performing detailed growth assessments of E. coli, S. cerevisiae,
B. subtilis, L. lactis, K. marxianus, P. stipitis and Y. lipolytica cultures leading to the patent: A method for
on precursor.
 Successfully integrating within a multi-disciplinary team ensured I was able to quickly adopt and proactively
develop the best practices and culture of the business, which included establishing a practical spill kit
training exercise which became part of the department’s standard Health and Safety training. Additionally, I
volunteered to become a trained departmental COSHH and risk assessor.
 Oversaw validation of project deliverables involving a technology developed by a research collaborator based
in Hungary. Building relationships, sharing best practices and generating accurate documentation enabled
me to transfer the novel technology to my employer, ensuring comparable and reproducible performance.
 2013. Selected as a hard-working and resourceful member of a project team involved in decommissioning
the UK laboratories and subsequent relocation to a bespoke facility in America, which I helped to design. My
adaptability allowed me to effectively communicate with professionals with a range of technical and cultural
backgrounds, ensuring efficient delivery of my final project for Royal Dutch Shell.
 2008. Took a lead role in the commissioning of equipment within a specialised GM laboratory, including co-
ordination of 6 suppliers and associated contractors creating a novel data acquisition system (SCADA), used
to streamline activities within the fermentation department.
I actively pursue the development of my technical capabilities in order to improve my analysis, support and
troubleshooting of research and project issues. Attending advanced courses at the University of Delft:
A method for converting a carbon source into a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon precursor.
- Downstream Processing (2010) - Microbial Physiology and Fermentation Technology (2011)