TYLER BEST
Wake Forest
Summary
Professional Leader with over 7 years of experience working in GLP/GMP-regulated laboratories across pharmaceutical and public health environments. Known for building strong teams, improving lab operations, and leading complex microbiology work from startup through routine production. Hands-on leader with deep experience in sterility, endotoxin, bioburden testing, audits, investigations, and training. Passionate about developing people while keeping quality, compliance, and efficiency front and center.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Group Leader / Supervisor, QC Microbiology (Contract)
EUROFINS PSS
10.2024 - Current
- Lead the day-to-day work of 14 QC Microbiology staff across three departments, making sure testing stays on schedule and meets GMP expectations
- Serve as the go-to technical contact for microbiology questions, issues, and escalations
- Build training plans and development paths that help team members grow their skills and confidence
- Work closely with clients and leadership to solve problems, prioritize work, and meet deliverables
- Support Performance Qualification (PQ) planning and execution for client laboratories
- Prepare presentations and updates for site and global leadership
- Help keep the lab audit-ready by supporting documentation control and compliance efforts
- Developed and implemented process improvement strategies, resulting in increased operational efficiency.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance project delivery timelines and improve client satisfaction.
Microbiologist (Contract)
ACTALENT
10.2022 - 10.2024
- Helped develop and support a new GMP validation laboratory from early setup through routine operations
- Develop 5s plan for new GMP validation laboratory
- Led the transition of endotoxin testing from Gel-Clot to Kinetic methods, improving efficiency and throughput
- Wrote and updated SOPs, validation documents, and technical reports for sterility, BET, and bioburden testing
- Supported method validation for drug products and substances, reducing turnaround times by about 10%
- Took part in investigations, audits, and CAPAs, helping ensure compliance and continuous improvement
Associate Scientist, QC Microbiology
CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS
04.2021 - 10.2022
- Performed routine QC Microbiology testing including sterility, bioburden, growth promotion, and method work
- Helped design and implement a new inventory system for the microbiology lab, reducing expired media being put on test by 90%
- Wrote, reviewed, and peer-checked GMP documentation and SOPs
- Improved sample turnaround time from two weeks to one week by refining testing schedule workflows and communication
Lead Laboratory Technologist (Contract)
UNC COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE LAB
12.2020 - 05.2021
- Supervised and scheduled a team of 6 laboratory analysts during high-volume COVID testing
- Redesigned sample flow and staffing patterns, increasing productivity by 50%
- Wrote and updated SOPs to support rapid scale-up
- Trained and mentored junior staff on laboratory techniques and equipment usage.
Microbiology Laboratory Technician
NC STATE LABORATORY OF PUBLIC HEALTH
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Helped launch a new PCR testing program for Legionella, increasing departmental revenue by 30%
- Performed water and milk microbiological testing under regulatory requirements
- Reviewed and improved SOPs for water microbiology labs
- Maintained and calibrated laboratory equipment to ensure accurate test results.
Microbiology Resource Analyst
JLA INTERNATIONAL
09.2018 - 04.2019
- Performed routine microbiological testing of food, environmental, and water samples
- Conducted pathogen testing including E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria
- Trained new analysts on lab techniques, equipment, and SOPs
Scientist I
PATHEON
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Supported QC microbiology testing in a GMP manufacturing environment
- Performed environmental monitoring, air sampling, and microbial identification
- Gained hands-on experience with aseptic techniques, GLP, and GMP expectations
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology and Philosophy
East Carolina University
Greenville12.2017
Skills
- QC Microbiology Operations
- Team Leadership & Supervision
- GMP Compliance
- Sterility, Bioburden & Endotoxin (BET)
- Method Validation & Tech Transfer
- Audits, Deviations & CAPAs
- SOP Writing & Review
- Training & Mentorship
- Continuous Improvement & Metrics
- Laboratory Startup & Readiness
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Websites
Certification
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Lean White Belt
- National Society of Leadership and Success
- Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society
Timeline
Senior Group Leader / Supervisor, QC Microbiology (Contract)
EUROFINS PSS
10.2024 - Current
Microbiologist (Contract)
ACTALENT
10.2022 - 10.2024
Associate Scientist, QC Microbiology
CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS
04.2021 - 10.2022
Lead Laboratory Technologist (Contract)
UNC COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE LAB
12.2020 - 05.2021
Microbiology Laboratory Technician
NC STATE LABORATORY OF PUBLIC HEALTH
04.2019 - 04.2020
Microbiology Resource Analyst
JLA INTERNATIONAL
09.2018 - 04.2019
Scientist I
PATHEON
03.2018 - 04.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology and Philosophy
East Carolina University