Hello, and welcome To my portfolio.
I am Michelle Freed

I am a scientist in diagnostics R&D with over 15 years of experience, a registered nurse, and a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

About Me

Michelle is a Bay Area native who received her bachelor’s degree in health science from Saint Mary’s College of California and master’s degree in advanced practice nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She holds the Dean’s Medal and School of Science Award from Saint Mary’s for outstanding scientific research and is a member of the Sigma Nu Xi Nursing Academic Honor Society. Michelle was the only nursing student in her class to receive two of two independent honors rotations (pediatric hematology-oncology and urgent care). Michelle was also a Teaching Assistant (TA) for 4 professors, a tutor in all subjects, and started a resource program in the Academic Resource Center for all incoming nursing students. Michelle presented to her university professors and peers on how to interpret basic statistics in scientific literature. Michelle’s master’s thesis paper was the cohort-selected paper by the university for publication submission. 

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Michelle spent the last 15 years as a scientist in molecular research and diagnostics development. She sits on two scientific advisory panels, is an active member of multiple scientific associations, and reviews scientific manuscripts prior to submission for publication on a contractual basis. She is published, has presented nationally and internationally as first author on numerous abstracts, and significantly contributed to many commonly used laboratory tests in rare mutations diseases, oncology, and infectious diseases. 

Michelle’s transition from scientist to nurse practitioner came from a lifelong desire to provide direct patient care. Experiences related to her personal health challenges further confirmed this unwavering desire and also inspired her to pursue advanced practice nursing so she may not only address acute and chronic conditions throughout the lifespan but also provide excellent, evidence-based medicine. Michelle’s professional goal is to manage and influence better patient education, be a policy change advocate, engage in research, leverage professional expertise through care coordination, support holistic and alternative medicine, and purveyor of resources for all patients while embracing their culture and individuality. 

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing in a soccer league, snow skiing, playing the piano and singing in an adult chamber choir, gardening, and traveling.

Education And Training

Formal Studies Undertaken

Samuel Merritt University

MSN — Family Nurse
Practitioner (2023)

Sigma Nu Xi Academic Honor Society
Dean’s list for nursing school
3.95 cumulative GPA

RN License: 95274976

NP License: 95029111

Verify License

UC Berkeley Extension

Post-Baccalaureate Health
Professions Program
Certificate (2019)

Honors Independent Project
at UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute in clinical research

Bay Area Medical Academy

Certified Phlebotomy
Technician – 1 (2012)

CPT-1 License: 00063674

Verify License

Saint Mary’s College of California

B.S. Health Science (2008)

Joseph P. McKenna Medal: Dean’s
Award and Medal from the School
of Science for outstanding scientific research in 2007

Experience And Professional Development

  • St Rose Hospital, Hayward

    April 2024 - Present

    Nurse Practitioner, Hospitalist Group

    • Diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions
    • Conduct rounds and provide updates to the healthcare team
    • Handle admissions from the emergency department
    • Work closely with the interdisciplinary team on plans of care and consult specialists as needed
    • Cover ICU, Med/Surg, and Med/Tele departments
    • Perform bedside procedures
    • Communicate with patients and their families about medical conditions and treatment plans

  • Outpatient FNP training

    Jan 2023-Dec 2023
    • Marina Village Medicine, Alameda: Primary care
    • UCSF Beniof Children’s Hospital, Walnut Creek: Pediatric orthopedics
    • Carbon Health, Berkeley: Urgent care
    • Assessed patient status by obtaining health history through patient/family interviews and chart reviews; assessed presenting illness, risk factors, family history, psychosocial situation, and cultural factors; performed appropriate physical examinations
    • Ordered/performed appropriate diagnostics and procedures; integrate data to determine diagnosis and therapeutic plan, including identification of any health risk
    • Provided patient education regarding medications and treatments, health promotion, illness prevention, and community resources

  • Pacific Heights Surgery Center, San Francisco

    May 2022 - Feb 2023

    Circulator nurse and RNFA trainee

    Volunteered weekly nursing skills in exchange for firsthand training as a circulator nurse and RNFA 

    • Scrubbed and circulated orthopedic cases
    • Prepared OR for procedures, learned how to position and drape the patient and ensured sterile field
    • Dispensed meds as needed for use in the field; helped track supplies and equipment in the field
    • Assisted the surgeon in the operating room by providing exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions according to the surgeon’s directives
    • Accepted into UCLA and NIFA RNFA programs (did not complete due to family circumstances)

  • Inpatient RN training

    Sep 2020-Dec 2022
    • John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek: med-surg, trauma/ICU, neuro ICU, CP-ICU, rehab, L&D, NICU, Orthopedics, OR
    • UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland: acute rehab, general surgery, outpatient infusion/hem-onc
    • Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley: Senior Preceptorship in med-surg
    • Collaborated with patients and caregivers, and members of the inter-professional team in assessing patient needs, setting goals, planning interventions, providing care, and evaluating outcomes
    • Provided education to the patient and support persons about measures that promote, maintain, and restore health or comfort
    • Performed PoC testing and small procedures such as NG intubation, blood transfusions, catheterization, and venipuncture

  • Bio-Rad Laboratories, Pleasanton

    July 2018-February 2023

    Associate Scientist III

    Researched and developed novel assays (diagnostic tests) to detect genomic markers for rare mutations and oncology applications using droplet-digital PCR (ddPCR)

    • Co-designed, evaluated, and launched a Research Use Only assay targeting Microsatellite Instability (MSI), which is a tumor phenotype of colorectal cancer with prognostic and therapy selection value (Keytruda and Folfox pathways); continued pursuit of FDA-In vitro diagnostics submission
    • Supported the design and launch of 3 Emergency Use Authorization assays to detect coronavirus and influenza A/B, RSV; updated assays for SNP mutations and target genes as needed
    • Co-designed (patent-pending) immunoassay detection in fluorinated droplets for use on ddPCR platforms and rare mutations detection applications

  • Grifols (Formerly Novartis) Diagnostics, Emeryville

    May 2008 – May 2012, July 2014-2018

    Associate Scientist II

    Determined expression and performance of antigens through analytical assays for use in blood screening of infectious diseases

    • Re-developed third-generation (Chiron legacy antigens) immunoassays (ELISA, Western Blot, SDS-PAGE, SF-SDS, Pierce, Bradford) to detect Hepatitis, HIV, HTLV I and II, West Nile, Dengue, Zika, and Ebola viruses for the high throughput Erytra EflexisⓇ blood screening platform 
    • Developed infectious disease panels for virion testing and vaccine development; assessed viral loads, immunoreactivity, and antibody titer levels for multiple infectious diseases; qualified and validated assays for FDA submissions

    Co-designed and developed a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) 

    • Senior technical lead; Developed droplet digital PCR assays for estimation of maternal and fetal DNA in maternal plasma & buffy coat using methylation and other biomarkers. Developed DNA sequencing method to characterize very short amplicons.
    • Isolated cell-free fetal DNA from maternal plasma using an innovative technique (now the gold standard; method acquired by Qiagen) 

    Procured (phlebotomy/CPT-1 licensed) maternal plasma at partner clinics, supplied collaborators with processed plasma and DNA quantification, trained procurement sites on sample acquisition and preparation of maternal blood

  • Roche Diagnostics, Pleasanton

    May 2012 – July 2014

    Associate Scientist II

    Lead technical transfer of Novartis-developed Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) to Roche; launched HarmonyⓇ Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT); supported Women’s Health projects for companion diagnostics in oncology

    • Supported the clinical development of the CobasⓇ cervical cancer screening test (14 highest risk HPV strains can be detected from patient cervical swab) 
    • Extracted nucleic acids from tumor tissue biopsies, screened reference genes for use in endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and breast cancer

    Partnered with the Genentech team to trial Antibody Drug Conjugates in development for HER2-positive cancer cells (KadcylaⓇ); tested linker bonds required to join two anti-cancer properties (trastuzumab in Herceptin and chemotherapy agent DM1) agents together

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS, Honors And Awards

  • Presented Bio-Rad oncology MSI posters at 2019 conferences as first author, presented at AMP 2019
  • 5-time Spotlight Award Recipient (2 Bio-Rad, 3 Griffons): An award designed to acknowledge the
contributions of employees who go above and beyond the everyday scope of their responsibilities
  • STAR Award Recipient (2 Novartis): A peer-nominated award for excellent leadership
  • M1-T certified (Novartis): youngest employee ever sent through executive management training, which is a program intended for select, high-potential employees to transition into management roles
  • Published: Holmberg RC, Gindlesperger A, Stokes T, Lopez D, Hyman L, Freed, M, Belgrader, P, Harvey, J. Li, Z. (2013) Akonni TruTip® and Qiagen® Methods for Extraction of Fetal Circulating DNA – Evaluation by Real-Time and Digital PCR. PLoS ONE 8(8): e73068
  • Present NIPT maternal plasma procurement and process method as first author at 2012 conferences
  • Intellectual Property (Novartis): Determined the industry “gold standard” maternal blood sample preparation method, prior to a commercial extraction kit, required to obtain high-yield fetal nucleic acids
  • Green Belt Certified (Novartis) in Design for Six Sigma (analytical statistics and controlling process variation); a year-long rigorous training program for advanced biostatistics and test design personnel

Collaboration

Featured Scientist for International Women’s Day in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rare Mutation Detection

Poster presentation on detecting colorectal cancer from liquid biopsies (blood plasma) using droplet digital PCR, a molecular detection novel laboratory technique.

Podium Talk

Discussion on using liquid biopsy for oncology and rare mutations detection.

Western Blot

I’m performing a western blot, which is a laboratory technique that, in this case, is used to detect infectious disease proteins in patient blood samples.

Conferences

Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC): 2010 to 2019 Annual attendance
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): 2019 – 2 posters accepted
Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP): 2012 – 2018 annual attendance, 2019 – Presenter on liquid biopsy in oncology and 2 posters accepted
Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCRⓇ) Global Symposium in Honk Kong 2018 – Presenter on liquid biopsy assay targeting Microsatellite Instability (MSI)
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): 2018 – Presentation on MSI detection in all stages of Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
Cambridge Innovation Institute (CHI) Immunohistochemistry bioassay summit: 2014 and 2016 attendance

Professional Memberships

Scientific: ACOG, ASCO, AMP, CAP, ACSM

Nursing: CANP, Sigma Nu Xi Nursing Honors Society

 

Certifications

Basic LIfe Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP)

Continuing Education

What Colleagues Say

S. Brush, BSN, RN

Nurse Preceptor in Med/Surg at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley, CA

★★★★★

“Michelle’s charting and patient interactions were beyond most students I have overseen in my past 25 years at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. I think what separates her from her classmates is that she is the first to come and the last to leave because when she starts something, she finished the task with excellent thoroughness. She takes the time to hone her skills and then repeatedly refines them. I think what truly makes her advantageous is her scientific background where she’s been incredibly detail-oriented and well-read on evidence-based practices. Her experiences show how she is constantly thinking of disease processes, her environment, the patient, the care she provides, and how she makes patients and staff feel engaged. She is upbeat and kind - even to the janitors! She is reliable and knowledgeable, and I have come to know her as my colleague. She will make a great asset to your team.”

L. Martin, MSN, RN, CMSRN

Nurse Preceptor in Medical/Surgical and Post-Surgical Units, John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek

★★★★★

I had the honor of precepting Michelle for numerous shifts during her medical-surgical nursing rotation at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California. Michelle’s nursing abilities impressed me immediately. The first thing I noticed about Michelle was her ability to time manage extremely well. She was able to quickly prioritize her assignment practically as it reached her hands. With utmost grace and comfort, Michelle cared for four patients with complex physiological needs all of which required immense charting. Michelle had an inborn intuition that I had never seen in a nursing student. Her ability to promptly analyze, critically think, and clinically reason are skills that typically take years to develop and master. Michelle noticed a patient in the very early stages of sepsis and took prompt action to communicate her concerns to me and the attending. She did so with confidence and offered her impression of the patient. I was very proud of her for this as one of the most challenging traits to develop as a registered nurse is the confidence to clearly present patient scenarios to physicians. Simply put, her communication skills are excellent. Michelle remained humble and asked crucial questions throughout our shifts together. Her priorities were clear: to deliver high-quality, safe patient care on a consistent basis – and, that, she did. Michelle has a beam of energy and light to her that is refreshing and beautiful. Her heart is full of compassion and her brain is constantly functioning to provide care to her patients akin to care that would be given to her own family member. Michelle was able to make connections with her patients with ease. She tailored her communication and care to the needs of the patient. She demonstrated cultural competence and kindness during every patient interaction. This ultimately enabled her to establish a healthy rapport and integrate shared decision making with her patients. Within hours of knowing Michelle, I knew that she would be a tremendous asset to any organization. After working with Michelle, I hoped I could work alongside her one day.

M. Smith, BSN, RN, CNOR

Circulator and PACU nurse III at Pacific Heights Surgery Center, San Francisco

★★★★★

"My experience getting to know Michelle has been very eye-opening. First, she is super humble. She comes to the operating room with zero experience in navigating a surgical center and fully admits she knows nothing but is trainable. We work with some really awesome physicians and one offered to teach Michelle how to suture and first assist (he was her physician when she got injured playing adult competitive soccer years ago, and the two hit it off, naturally!). The physicians at our surgery center are short-staffed so they welcome PA and NP students who want to learn surgical techniques alongside residents and fellows. Michelle not only jumped right into the circulator role, learning the process of clearing patients for surgery, proper positioning of patients for their case, obtaining labs through venipuncture, and setting up the OR (along with many other tasks), but she took criticism like a professional about draping, prepping body parts, sterile fields, gowning, gloving, passing instruments, and addressing matters of safety. We all gave her endless grief for being so green, but she was witty and threw the commentary right back at us like she had been part of the team for years. We have all come to love her, first and foremost, and we love her attention to detail and willing to help out in any way. She is teachable! I cannot emphasize how important this trait is (and we see a ton of residents and visitors!). Her honesty and attitude are refreshingly honest. She is also quite accomplished as a scientist and vocalist, we have come to learn. We came to rely on her in the OR and miss her endless bantering with the anesthesiologists and physicians- making all our cases so much more enjoyable! Don't skip out on hiring her or you'll regret it!

Let’s Work Together!