EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
LAUREN COOPER
R&D Scientist I
How long have you been with MMQCI and how did you first learn about our company?
I have been working at MMQCI since February 2023. I initially saw a posting for an open position on the BIOME job board and was connected to my current manager to discuss potential roles.
What are your primary responsibilities?
In R&D, my day-to-day can look quite different depending on what state of development my projects are in. I support a range of projects aiming to formulate controls for anything from newborn genetic screening, respiratory infections, or even oncogenic prognosis tracking. In this work, I perform testing on in-house and commercial assays, help troubleshoot and analyze data, and contribute to marketable product builds.
Describe MMQCI in three words:
Technical, collaborative, and unique.
What do you like best about MMQCI?
I most enjoy my coworkers, in my own department and across the company. Not only are they hard workers always looking to help out, they are the kind of people who celebrate each person’s wins as heavily as their own.
How would you describe your team?
My team is supportive and eager to learn as well as teach. They’re always open to new ideas and usually scrambling to be the first to jump on board whenever assistance is needed.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen since joining MMQCI?
I have gotten to see growth not just in the personnel but the working space. Our expanded upstairs office area has made room for more lab-based employees and given our administrative teams a much-deserved expanded area where we previously resided. The building is well designed, inside and out.
What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
Being my first role in industry research, I had a lot to learn about regulations and the lingo involved. Luckily, I am not still as confused by all the acronyms as I was on week one.
What has your experience been with our company culture?
In my experience, our employees have been carefully screened to ensure they fit the desired culture. This means they are all dedicated, intelligent individuals who bring their best to work every day.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am lucky enough to live within driving distance of many beaches, which I try to take advantage of both in the summer and during colder months—even just to sit and eat dinner in my car while listening to the waves.
Where is your happy place in Maine?
Acadia National Park is one of my favorite places to be. The proximity of the ocean to the mountains makes the views nearly unbeatable.
What’s one thing that’s on your “Bucket List”?
Despite a slight problem with heights, I would love to sky-dive someday.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
I enjoy the variety of work I get to be involved in. My role allows me to work side-by-side employees from other departments and despite my length of employment, I learn new things most days.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Bangor, ME and grew up in a small, nearby town called Corinth. Think cow farms, everyone knowing who your parents are, and friendly strangers — that’s the picture.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations, and why?
My undergraduate research advisor, Dr. Kristin Burkholder, is the reason I am proud to call myself a scientist. She took me on in her lab without hesitation, always encouraged me to make my work my own, and indulged my every question with returned curiosity. Along with her, I pull my dedication to this work from the late Dr. Adam Lauer, who was my family's physician. He instilled in me the importance of helping patients access resources and answers that allow them to maintain their own health, which is what I hope my work here helps do.
How have you grown professionally since you’ve joined the MMQCI team?
My coworkers have helped me to apply my previous skills to my lab work and aided me in expanding my knowledge of the scope of disease testing. I have learned more about cross-departmental teams and how to best communicate work across them to ensure timing of work aligns efficiently.
What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading?
I haven’t been watching too much recently (I am more of a movie person) but have been enjoying the ACOTAR series in my spare time, at the behest of some of my coworkers.
What is something about you that most people don’t know?
One thing that may not be extremely common knowledge at work is how much I enjoy being outside. Growing up in Maine, skiing, hiking, kayaking, and gardening have been some of my top hobbies.
What best advice can you give someone who might be interested in joining us here at MMQCI?
Take the time to explore the website and learn the roles of different departments. Each position is different and vital for the way our company operates.