EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MATTHEW A. HELD, PhD
Research Scientist II, R&D
How long have you been with MMQCI and how did you first learn about our company?
I’ve been with MMQCI just over 2 years now. I first learned of the company when I moved to Maine almost 8 years ago. At that time, MMQCI wasn’t as big as it is now and I’ll shamefully admit that I had very little idea as to what they did! I was in academia doing oncology and hematology research, but over the years became serious about a transition into industry – and a desire to stay in Maine. The watershed moment for me was when I learned that MMQCI had moved to a new, bigger facility in Saco, had more people joining them, and I discovered what their R&D actually did, which was developing medical diagnostic control products for oncology & hematology, plus infectious and inherited diseases. The scientific and business approach of it was definitely something I could get behind, and yet because I was deep in academic research, the path was something that just never occurred to me. A couple years before I joined, I was actually thinking of applying for a position, but the timing wasn’t ideal for me, and then SARS-COV2 hit the country like a hammer and nearly everything became uncertain. Later, after the dust settled, I revisited the possibility of joining MMQCI, but this time applied, and after being invited to interview, I got to meet all the immensely talented, hard-working and supportive people here. That played a big part in cementing my decision to join shortly thereafter.
What are your primary responsibilities?
I think of my primary scientific roles here like a microscope with 3 objective lenses. The lowest magnification lens puts my focus on the overall design, feasibility & initial development studies to bring a new product into our pipeline. It requires a good deal of foresight, planning, and expertise in microbiology and molecular genetics, among other scientific areas. The medium magnification lens lets me see closer into the development side where I advance these new products (some of which are complex) by optimizing their compatibility with the specific medical diagnostic assay they are being constructed for. Finally, I get to switch to the highest mag lens where, with greater granularity, I flesh out the entire process of testing and transferring a manufacturing methodology to scale up the product for eventual validation and commercialization. Beyond this, I also train employees, assist with troubleshooting for our products, plan & coordinate (nearly daily) with other R&D scientists, as well as our scientists in manufacturing, QC, and Technical Operations, and advise on or assist in the implementation of new technologies and internal assays for the company. I am also tasked with occasionally providing comic relief.
What do you like best about MMQCI?
Watching it grow and evolve. And being a part of that. I’m really excited about all of the new paths the company is taking and the real need for our products in the medical diagnostics space. It is such a unique company, with uniquely designed innovative products. I also love the consistently welcoming vibe among my colleagues here.
How would you describe your team?
My coworkers are among the most hard-working, driven, yet chill human beings I’ve ever interacted with. We have such a diverse team of scientists, from brilliant recent graduates, to seasoned veterans – we all chip in to help solve problems no matter the complexity, and are pleased to do so. We all share the same professional perspective – to be supportive of one another so that we and the company improve and succeed. So, in short they are simply incredible – but mark me, I will not hesitate to annihilate them all in poker.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen since joining MMQCI?
There have been a substantial number of new employees joining the company since I came on board, especially so in R&D. Our team in particular has tripled in size. This has enabled us to take on more and more projects and even reinvigorate older exciting projects that had to be put on the back-burner due to a lack of hands. We also have a new Discovery department that is bringing new life to innovative product pipelines. The space of MMQCI grew practically 50% in the first few months I was here – and then a brand-new adjoining facility was constructed, that has more than doubled our square footage. The projected design of the new upstairs working space also looks quite impressive and we’re all extremely excited for it to be completed in the near future.
What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
The biggest challenge has been trying to predict the future. I’m sure the vast majority of scientists, and clinicians the same, would love to have insurance covered FDA- approved diagnostic tests for every pathogenic organism and mutation out there. The real trick from a company standpoint is figuring out how best to supply a control product for those assays that are approved, are not yet approved, or are still in conceptual phase, and how to balance all that with the company’s logistics. But MMQCI’s founders and department managers have the keen ability to hoist the R&D scientists up from ground level so we can see the high view of these things when necessary. For research scientists without previous industry experience, it can sometimes take a bit for that mentality to habitualize. That, and understanding how the company works interdepartmentally takes a while, but for me it was a genuine pleasure to learn about. There is a ton to absorb when first coming on board, but you get through it and you feel empowered afterwards.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to decompress with exercise and music whenever I can. I am also (more recently) a fervently practicing Buddhist, and like to meditate on kindness and compassion often! I also practice a style of Okinawan Karate called Isshinryu, that I started in my teens and have recently taken up again!
Where is your happy place in Maine?
Needless to say, all places are happy in Maine, so long as all of those places are a lake or a beach. But actually, we have the Eastern Trail right behind our company (a serene 22-mile route that goes from S. Portland to Kennebunk) and I go there whenever the weather is cooperating to take a meditative break. Its reviving.
What are your secret talents that most people don’t know about?
I’m actually a decent artist, musician, and voice impersonator when I practice hard enough.
What’s one thing that’s on your “Bucket List”?
I want to visit New Zealand and build a hobbit home for myself. But I’d settle for the iconic circular door on my current house.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
“Short squeeze investment… GameStop… January 2021.”
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in NJ and I hope that’s not used against me. I like to think I was reborn and reraised in VT during grad school, which was an eye-opening time of my life thanks to my wonderful friends, professors and my amazing mentor there at UVM.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations?
Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk… Oh, you mean not literally the biggest… Ok, …then Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk.
What’s one thing that surprised you about your current role?
Cleanliness is next to Godliness here. I had experience working with BSL2 agents in academia, but I have to say working in an ECA (environmental control area) is next level. It was shocking at first how clean our practices are, but it makes perfect sense given our company makes the highest quality control products out there. Now, cleaning is rote and I actually find it very Zen when I’m doing it.
What’s the last song you listened to?
It was certainly not ‘We Built This City’, by Starship, no matter what they say… Ok it was, and the lyrics are genius! I don’t care what you think, next question.
What is something about you that most people don’t know?
I once caught a fly with chopsticks on my first attempt. Yes, I have witnesses.
What best advice can you give someone who might be interested in joining R&D here at MMQCI?
I firstly want to place emphasis on the fact that what we do here is critical for ensuring the highest quality performance of molecular assays. If you are a scientist with a relaxed, respectful attitude, a good work ethic, and like the idea of making truly meaningful contributions to global medical diagnostics, then there is no other company in the world like this one for you, I guarantee it.
That said, job searching for good scientist positions is far from easy these days – we all recognize this and most of us in R&D have been through it more than once. If you think you want an R&D job we have available, then you should prepare yourself as best as you possibly can before applying. Technically speaking, you should be comfy with molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, math (including basic statistics) and have academic or industry lab experience using all of these disciplines (the more experience, the higher the R&D rank generally speaking). With respect to how you interview, try to be relaxed with yourself during the process! Remember that if we reached out to call and/or invited you to interview, we see a potential fit which is great. Make sure you can answer all general interviewing questions and can speak about every technical skill we are looking for, or at the very least try to convince us that you could perform them based on related experiences. Finally, remember that not getting an offer likely means we believe more relevant experience/training is needed first. It is not a ‘forever rejected’ stamp on your forehead. If you’re serious about joining us, seek out those experiences you are lacking as best you can. Then apply again in the future!