Erika Headrick, MS

• Built and maintained strategic product roadmaps using ProductPlan to guide development of new software platforms and modules in the genomics space. • Collaborated cross-functionally to develop detailed User Requirements Documents (URDs), incorporating market segmentation, user personas, and technical/commercial requirements; aligned stakeholders across product, R&D, and commercial teams. • Led the end-to-end launch of a novel cloud-hosted genomics software platform for structural variant detection—transforming internal research scripts into a commercial-ready product. • Designed and implemented a ground-up feature development framework for commercial bioinformatics software in partnership with software engineering leadership. • Directed performance testing initiatives to ensure software quality, reliability, and readiness for customer-facing applications. • Led go-to-market (GTM) strategy and developed commercial training materials to drive successful adoption of new products. • Established standardized processes for software deployment and versioning, supporting smooth rollouts and consistent user experiences. • Built the infrastructure for Software Customer Solutions, including custom support case types, escalation protocols, and customer-facing IT documentation. • Led a cross-functional project to define success criteria for input data by linking sample QC metrics to analysis outcomes—resulting in actionable tools for internal teams and customer optimization. • Researched and evaluated adaptations of existing computational pipelines to accommodate new data types, broadening the scope and value of the software platform. • Provided technical leadership for the Human Chromosome Explorer, shaping product requirements and expanding core functionality to enhance customer interpretation of structural variants.

Customer Engagement and Leadership: • Led frontline customer support activities for software product implementation, adoption, validation, and collaboration, contributing to a 72% increase in product usage in 2023, reduced TAT for customer samples, and an increase in customer's achieving approved LDTs. • Developed and launched a comprehensive customer training workflow for genome mapping software, Bionano Access and Bionano Solve, reaching 300+ users worldwide. • Trained a team of 10 genomic data scientists to deliver harmonized customer trainings, leading to enhanced learning outcomes and increased use of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) in the field. • Managed IT integration projects across 100+ sites globally, and vetted infrastructure design against International Information Security regulations, providing enhanced supportability, flexibility, and scalability of software and hardware products. • Collaborated with leadership to scale a customer training product for indirect customers or customers of research core laboratories. • Cooperated cross-functionally with development team members to resolve case escalations and managed internal and external messaging to provide status updates. • Engaged on-site with global customers and distributors, as Field Applications Scientist, delivering comprehensive sample preparation and instrument operation training. Product Development & Design Core Teams: • Trended support cases to translate user needs into software design inputs and increase efficiency in incorporating customer requirements in future software releases. • Led technical aspects and project management of Alpha, Beta, and Early Access product initiatives, including the release of troubleshooting guides for Copy Number Variant calling and the placement of over 10 First Access high-throughput Stratys instruments in Q1 2024. • Enhanced user experience between two software platforms, Bionano Access and VIA, impacting over 200 users through effective VOC engagement.

• Delivered 90+ remote and in-person workflow trainings across global customer sites, directly enhancing user competency and experience. • Trained customers as Field Applications Scientist through on-site end-to-end workflow trainings in the US, Japan, India, Brazil, and Canada. • Deployed 8 versions of OGM software products, Bionano Solve and Bionano Access, in addition to 2 versions of VIA software, which leverages NGS, OGM, and microarray data in one platform. • Solved 470+ customer complaint cases and 680+ inquiries through software quality analysis, bug remediation, bespoke scripting solutions, and escalation. • Managed IT integration projects across international sites enhancing global research collaboration. • Led product improvement projects with a focus on customer satisfaction, analyzing data from 100+ complaints to identify impactful solutions during escalation.

• Collaborated with clinical research teams to build a database of enhancer-associated genomic regions with mutagenic potential to model relationships between long G4-rich sequences and tumor tissue, expanding the work of Williams et al. 2020, Nucleic Acids Research. • Researched and developed methods for measuring microbial bacterial production in sub surface soil samples using radioisotope incorporation to enhance genomics studies planned for Antarctic and International Ocean Drilling Program cruises. • Researched microbial community antibiotic resistance and toxin systems employing metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis from the oceanic deep sub-surface by data mining Census of Deep Life (CoDL) records. • Won a competition for developing the most innovative novel research proposal along with a dynamic team of co-authors. Our proposal was centered around increasing effective detection of organisms using eDNA and in situ ultrafiltration methods.

• Directed and mentored undergraduates on research projects, primarily focused on expanding a Gulf of Mexico Time-series, incorporating 16S and 18S NGS (short-read sequencing) data with bacterial and primary production, total and dissolved available nutrients, and other abiotic parameters in the Gulf of Mexico at Pensacola Beach. • Taught students to conduct bioinformatic analysis of whole microbial communities, design experiments, win grant funding, conduct experiments, model findings and prepare presentations of data. • Designed novel primers and experimental methods using qPCR for the in-situ detection of 3 nitroaromatic compound degraders involved in the same pathway.

• Researched interplanetary space conditions and synergism thereof on microbial spores, leading to improved methods of ground simulation. • Published ground simulation methods in Schuerger and Headrick, 2023. Methods have been integrated into the works of the planetary protection research community. • Built data visualizations and prepared statistical analyses using machine learning algorithms in R.

• Researched and presented optimized wet lab conditions for low-level waterborne pathogen detection as part of the Environmental Microbiology group within the WASH lab (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). • Aimed research efforts at controlling for NGS sequencing bias and accurately representing microbial community data through Bioinformatics and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD).

• Conducted independent research on microbial inhibition and microbial community succession induced by phototoxic crude oil components. Strong emphasis on culture-independent methods (short read sequencing), bioinformatics, and data modeling. A portion of this research is published in Headrick et al., 2023. • Impacted an additional 7 research projects with 6 different PIs on subjects ranging from estuarine pathogens to microplastics, artificial reefs, and seagrass health. Employed skills in microbiology, molecular biology, biogeochemistry, and primarily, bioinformatics. • Mentored undergraduate students through their own research projects from project conception, grant application, experimental design, wet lab or field work, and data analysis.

• Independently Taught Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab MCB 1000L (2 sections), Microbiology Lab MCB 3020L (2 sections), and Biochemistry Lab BCH 3033L (2 sections) • Enabled teaching in laboratories as teaching assistant for Biochemistry Lab BCH 3033L (3 sections), Microbiology Lab MCB 3020L (2 sections), General Chemistry I Lab CHM 2045L (2 sections), and General Chemistry II Lab CHM 2046L (1 section).

• Built and managed a team of trained laboratorians producing high quality growth and differential media. • Developed, with credible reproducibility, high quality aseptic microbial cultures for use in Microbiology laboratories. • Wrote Standard Operating Procedures and Lab Protocols and managed document revision as needed. • Reduced waste and built out lab spaces to optimize production and reduce costs.

• Prepared teaching laboratories with needed equipment. • Facilitated student learning during class and by tutoring students through completing assigned work. • Graded student work and provided actionable feedback to improve student learning outcomes. • General Chemistry I Lab CHM 2045L (2 sections), and General Chemistry II Lab CHM 2046L (1 section)

• Managed and trained a team of associates on general sales, general store maintenance, and specialty product features. • Assisted customers in finding the appropriate items for their needs. • Optimized use of store point-of-sale software and improved inventory management.

Applying a situational approach to leadership; Instruction focused on pros and cons of Directive, Transformational, Transactional, Empowering, and Aversive Leadership, and often emphasized a dual approach. Instruction on what motivates teams, how to effectively lead a team and earn trust, and how to keep a high performing team engaged and on target.

Microbial ecology and inhibition, phototoxicity, hydrocarbon chemistry, molecular biology, metagenomics, biostatistics, computational biology.