Vanessa Apkenas

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT VANESSA APKENAS

I am a well-versed biologist, science communicator and exemplary writer, with a strong technical background and a natural talent for originality and creative thinking. Currently working within Water\'s Biosciences team (formerly BD Biosciences) as a Research Reagent Specialist where I will be facilitating the research of customers in academic, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to this role, I managed a multi-million dollar territory across SoCal as a Life Science Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, supporting over accounts and two teams of representatives. I consistently surpassed forecasted goals and earned 100% Achievement Awards. Before this, I managed a $12 million+ account at UCLA as an Account Manager for Fisher Scientific.I have an extensive academic and professional background in the life sciences and have contributed to multiple research projects centered around population genetics and genomics. As a postgraduate I taught biology to undergraduates at the New York Film Academy in Burbank, CA.In addition to this, I graduated from UCLA with a Master of Science in Biology and have been fortunate to study diversification dynamics in African mammals.SUMMARY OF SKILLS: • High achieving account manager - dedicated sales representative with thorough proficiency in account managing tasks, opportunity and lead captures, customer communication, and portfolio presentation• Experienced researcher – adept at managing projects from conception to completion with publishable results• Skilled molecular technician – extensive knowledge of genetic laboratory workflows and efficient laboratory supervision• Advanced writing ability – adept at articulating ideas and big picture concepts into words • Proficient technical communicator and instructor – skilled at presenting and explaining complex topics in relatable narratives and training others on detailed protocols• Exceptional people skills – adept at customer support and meeting customer needs• Detail-oriented – dedicated to producing the highest quality of work with meticulous attention to detail • Visually perceptive and artistically minded – can balance informational accuracy with visual ease • Creative and innovative thinker – self-directed and eager to formulate new projects • Reliable multi-tasker – able to maintain organization, prioritize, and handle high volumes of pressing tasks efficiently in order to meet all deadlines• Collaborator and team player, both in the US and internationally, for 10+ years• Highly science literate – educated in both biological and physical sciences for 8+ years