Analytical Chemistry & Quality Control
Minal Patel
Currently working as an analytical chemist, I am very passionate about working in fast-paced environments where I am able to think outside of the box and combine my analytical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills in order to work towards a shared goal!
- Currently
- Scientist I, Analytical Operations · Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Focus
- Analytical testing · Method validation · GMP documentation
- Based in
- Toronto, Ontario
01
About
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, I work on analytical testing for clinical trial material, stability studies, and commercial pharmaceutical products. I also help coordinate and conduct laboratory investigations for out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), and unexpected results (UR), following proper documentation and laboratory protocols. I also contribute to root-cause analysis and compliance reporting under GMP requirements in an ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 laboratory environment. My industry experience also includes instrument calibration and troubleshooting, particularly HPLC and LC-MS performance.
Previously, at Bio Agri Mix, I developed and validated an FTIR identification method that supported regulatory approval for a veterinary product, and performed HPLC assays for potency and impurity profiles. My chemistry degree and independent research at the University of Waterloo gave me a foundation in instrumental analysis, scientific investigation, and interpreting experimental results.
Outside the laboratory, I have served as a Team Captain and In-Game Leader in the Valorant Draft Circuit since April 2022. I lead practices, coach players, and coordinate team communication and strategies during matches. This involves making real-time decisions, adapting to the opposing team's play, and helping teammates stay organized and focused in a fast-paced environment.
I am interested in opportunities across chemistry, laboratory research, and quality control, where careful experimentation and reliable measurements help solve practical problems. I enjoy both the science behind a reliable method and the documentation, coordination, and careful follow-through that make a laboratory's results useful to its clients.
02
Experience
Regulated testing, method development, and reliable laboratory operations.
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Scientist I, Analytical Operations
Thermo Fisher Scientific
- My work at Thermo Fisher involves testing clinical trial materials, stability samples, and commercial pharmaceutical products. I use Vanquish UHPLC systems and Empower 3 for assay, related-substance, and release dissolution testing in a laboratory that follows GMP, ISO 17025, and ISO 9001 requirements.
- I troubleshoot HPLC and LC-MS performance and help keep laboratory equipment working reliably. This includes calibrating and troubleshooting analytical balances and pH meters.
- I help coordinate and carry out investigations into out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), and unexpected results (UR), following established laboratory protocols. I also retest finished products for stability investigations, look into root causes, and prepare GMP compliance reports.
- I maintain laboratory notebook documentation and analytical records in line with ALCOA++ guidelines.
- I coordinate testing schedules for client projects across multiple chemists, keeping shared instrument availability and project deadlines in mind.
- To make it easier for chemists working on the same project to stay aligned, I introduced a shared test tracker. It gives the team one place to follow planned testing activities and a clear roadmap for the work ahead.
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Quality Control Chemist
Bio Agri Mix
- I independently developed and validated an FTIR identification method for piperazine dihydrochloride, starting with the experimental design. This work followed US Pharmacopeia (USP) requirements and supported regulatory approval for a veterinary product's Canadian market launch.
- I used Waters HPLC systems and Empower 3 to measure and report the potency and impurity profiles of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
- I tested raw materials, finished products, soluble powders, and premixes using chemical and physical methods, checking the results against quality control specifications.
- I also troubleshot HPLC and LC-MS systems and calibrated laboratory equipment, including analytical balances and pH meters.
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Project Lead
Leasi
- At Leasi, I defined the product strategy for an early-stage rental marketplace and put together a sequenced roadmap. The priorities came from recurring gaps in the rental experience and the needs of the people using the product.
- I spoke with users and stakeholders, then turned what I learned into clear requirements for the engineering team. I also wrote measurable acceptance criteria so the team had a shared understanding of what each feature needed to do.
- When deciding what to build, I weighed feasibility, development time, cost, and likely impact. I worked with engineering, design, and ownership to agree on the requirements.
- I applied Lean Six Sigma to simplify workflows, reduce handoffs, and automate repetitive tasks. I tracked cycle time and defects to understand how the changes were working.
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Assistant Manager
BBQ Village
- I was promoted to Assistant Manager within two months on a front-of-house team of at least 15 people. I trained and mentored new colleagues, helping them learn our service procedures and standards.
- I handled end-of-day cash reconciliation and closing procedures, balancing accurate records with service quality and the demands of a busy restaurant.
03
Method development
An FTIR identification method, from development to validation.
Identifying piperazine dihydrochloride with FTIR
Bio Agri Mix · Quality Control Chemist
The analytical task
Develop and validate an identification method for piperazine dihydrochloride to support the Canadian market launch of a veterinary anthelmintic product. The experimental design, method development, and validation work was carried out in accordance with US Pharmacopeia (USP).
My contribution
- Experimental design and independent development. Designed experiments and led the development of the FTIR identification method from the initial analytical requirement through validation.
- Validation against a quality specification. Took the method through validation so its identification capability met the product's regulatory needs.
Outcome
The validated method supported regulatory approval for the product's Canadian market launch. This work brought together instrumental analysis, method development, validation, and attention to an external quality specification.
Applied here
- FTIR
- Experimental design
- Method development
- Method validation
- US Pharmacopeia (USP)
04
Case study
Leasi: product planning and process improvement.
Leasi
Project Lead
The problem
Leasi was an early-stage Canadian rental marketplace that needed a defined product scope and development priorities. Existing platforms left renters and small landlords managing inconsistent listing information, repeated questions, and fragmented inquiries across several sites.
My contribution
- User research and roadmap. Interviewed prospective users and industry professionals to identify recurring problems and distinguish routine friction from barriers to completing a rental transaction. Used these findings and business goals to develop a sequenced product roadmap.
- Requirements and alignment. Translated stakeholder ideas into written engineering requirements with measurable acceptance criteria. Coordinated reviews across engineering, design, and ownership to reconcile user needs, business goals, and technical constraints before development.
- Feature prioritization. Assessed candidate features by feasibility, development time, cost, effort, and expected impact. Focused priorities on the listing-to-inquiry workflow and documented the user problem and cost considerations behind each decision.
- Process improvement. Applied Lean Six Sigma to map workflows, reduce unnecessary steps and handoffs, and automate repetitive tasks. Tracked cycle time, defects, and customer satisfaction to assess improvements and guide further changes.
Outcome
The work established a documented, sequenced, and testable scope for the product. Engineers could build against agreed requirements and acceptance criteria, while feature priorities could be traced to research findings and feasibility assessments. This gave the team a clearer basis for planning and reviewing development.
Applied here
- User research
- Roadmapping
- Acceptance criteria
- Lean Six Sigma
- Stakeholder alignment
05
Quality in practice
Careful analysis, useful records, and dependable delivery.
Start with the method and specification
My current laboratory work takes place within GMP, ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 quality systems. I work against defined test requirements and acceptance criteria so each result answers the analytical question the work was designed for.
Investigate unexpected results
I help coordinate and conduct laboratory investigations for out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), and unexpected results (UR), following proper documentation and laboratory protocols. My experience also includes stability investigations, product retesting, and root-cause analysis.
Make technical records useful
I maintain analytical documentation in accordance with ALCOA++ guidelines. GMP compliance reports and shared testing records explain the work, communicate its findings, and help colleagues coordinate the next step.
Improve the way the lab works
I introduced a combined test tracker at Thermo Fisher and bring experience applying Lean Six Sigma to workflows. Clear priorities and shared information help a team deliver accurate work against competing deadlines.
06
Technical background
Industry analytical work
- Vanquish UHPLC systems
- Assay / Related Substances
- Dissolution of Release
- HPLC & Empower 3
- FTIR identification
- HPLC & LC-MS troubleshooting
- ICP-MS, GC-MS & LC-MS sample preparation
- Potency & impurity analysis
Methods & quality
- Method development & validation
- Experimental design
- GMP / GLP
- ISO 17025 & ISO 9001 environment
- ALCOA++ documentation
- US Pharmacopeia (USP)
- Stability testing
- OOS / OOT / UR investigations
- Root-cause analysis
- Technical reporting
Data & scientific tools
- Statistics & data analysis
- Microsoft Excel
- Fluorescence polarization research
- Scientific documentation
Instruments & laboratory operations
- Analytical balance calibration
- pH meter calibration
- Instrument troubleshooting
- Testing schedules
- Shared test tracking
- Lean Six Sigma
- Team collaboration
Education
B.Sc. Honours Chemistry, University of Waterloo, September 2020 – April 2025. Coursework included Analytical Instrumentation, Statistics for Scientists, Computer Science, and Miniaturization and Nanotechnology, including AI in Analytical Chemistry. Analytical Instrumentation included hands-on coursework with GC-MS and LC-MS.
Independent research
Spent eight months investigating specific and non-specific binding properties of streptavidin and green fluorescent proteins using fluorescence polarization, independently under Professor Juewen Liu. The project strengthened my experience in scientific investigation and interpreting experimental results.
Sample preparation
At Sigma Analytical Services, my work included sample and solution preparation for ICP-MS, GC-MS, and LC-MS. This adds preparation experience to my background in chromatographic analysis and quality control testing.
07
Collaboration & mentorship
At Thermo Fisher, I coordinate testing across chemists and help keep project progress visible through a shared tracker. At BBQ Village, I trained and mentored new colleagues on procedures and standards after being promoted to Assistant Manager.
Outside work, I have served as a Team Captain and In-Game Leader in the Valorant Draft Circuit since April 2022, leading practices, coaching players, and coordinating team communication. These experiences have taught me to explain expectations clearly, support teammates, and make considered decisions under pressure.
08
Let's talk chemistry
I am interested in chemistry and laboratory opportunities in Toronto, including analytical testing, research, method development, and quality control. Get in touch to discuss how my experience in laboratory testing, scientific investigation, and technical documentation could contribute to your team.