Spotlight on Evon Sai, Research Associate - Laboratory Operations

Spotlight is a series of interviews with DNA Script's employees. Twice a month, learn more about our proud team members. What do they do every day? What challenges do they encounter? What are their perspectives?

This week, we talk to Evon Sai, Research Associate - Laboratory Operations in South San Francisco.

What is your background? What did you do before joining DNA Script? 

Recently, I moved back to the West Coast after spending five years in Honolulu. I tried out many jobs that were a first for me: retail, law, manufacturing, but none of which required the knowledge and application of biochemistry, which is what I studied in college. After my college graduation, I purchased a month-long vacation on the island of O’ahu as a present for myself. During my last week of vacation, I decided I was going to stay in Hawai’i and study for the entrance exam for graduate school in hopes of getting into a marine biology program. So I ended up not taking the return flight back (sorry Mom and Dad!).

Fresh out of college and inexperienced, I worked a variety of odd jobs, and eventually worked my way up to more challenging roles in search of a meaningful career. It was not until I tried out a manufacturing role at a local biotech company that I finally left the world of customer service and entered "biotechnology." At my first startup in Hawai'i, I fell in love with my team’s strong work ethic and insatiable desire to keep learning. There, I rediscovered my original interest in choosing to study biochemistry and made a choice to continue working in science and technology.

I moved back last year to be closer to my family and applied for jobs in the biotechnology field (hello, South San Francisco!) with high hopes of finding a work family and environment like that of my previous employer. I am very fortunate to have found DNA Script because, so far, everything has exceeded my expectations!

What is your position and role today?

I started off as a laboratory technician with the product development team in South San Francisco where I ran preliminary experiments to measure the relationship between different properties of a sample. At the conclusion of every experiment, I wrote laboratory reports and came up with formulas to calculate the quantitative property (value) of a sample given its experimental measurement. Ultimately, my preliminary protocols and experimental data were adapted and applied to the prototype and beta instruments for verification and validation purposes.

 My role within DNA Script has changed quite a bit, and I am currently a research associate — laboratory operations. This means I get to assist different teams with whatever is necessary to complete their assigned tasks or day-to-day activities. Sometimes it can be a simple reagent formulation change to troubleshoot low yield or purity of a product or coordinating with my team members and external test sites for upcoming reagent shipments. But my favorite work task has to do with drafting documents for our Quality Management System. Other enjoyable activities include coming up with cost-efficient ways to ship our product, incorporating environmentally friendly practices and methods to our existing business model, finalizing logistics details for domestic and/or international shipments and designing the label artwork that goes on our reagent bottles. I also help out with inventory management, manufacturing large batches of chemical reagents, training new employees about safe lab practices and acting as the liaison between DNA Script and third party suppliers/vendors. Even though this role may seem overwhelming to some, the fast-paced environment is very stimulating and refreshing to me since I am constantly being challenged (physically and/or mentally) throughout the day. Long story short— this role keeps me on my toes because there is always something to do!

What does a standard workday entail?

I do not have a regular work day schedule since I help out wherever I can. Oftentimes, a seemingly simple task can end up being quite complex due to the unpredictable nature of our initial testing phase. Changes can occur throughout the day or week depending on the supply and demand of the business. My most common daily tasks will include data analysis, reagent manufacturing, quality documentation, setting up and running stability experiments and any other necessary task to support the Product Development team. Luckily, I have a manager who gives me a great deal of autonomy in choosing what I want to do, so I can select the work that I enjoy the most and hopefully pave the way to where I want to end up in my professional career. Even after years of exploring many different career options, I am still not sure what I will end up doing. I am just starting to realize what my passion and interests are.

What are future challenges that you anticipate for your position? How would you like to grow? 

At a start-up, almost every day is a new day of challenge. There are times when my approach or method of solving problems is better than others. Sometimes I try to use my creativity; other times I will follow through with trial and error. But I always try and learn from my mistakes and improve upon what I have done. I have no doubt that while I am on my professional journey I will encounter many hardships and mishaps, but I hope to learn more about resilience and grace whenever I encounter these obstacles. Thanks to DNA Script for always believing in me and providing me with an endless supply of patience.