Jennifer Ness (Fed)

Jennifer came to NIST from the Biotechnology industry with a background in molecular biology, evolution, and population biology. She is a member of the Biospecimen Science Group which operates the NIST Biorepository located at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. The NIST Biorepository collects, maintains, and processes samples from a variety of projects ranging from marine mammals to bi-valves. This contributes to retrospective studies investigating levels of exogenous contaminants in addition to banking for emerging contaminants or analytes of interest. This group is also responsible for the production of a number of reference materials that require specialized cryogenic equipment or the use of cleanrooms.

Jennifer has been participating in international standards development through her work with The International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Committee 276 on Biotechnology. Here she has represented NIST and the United States, particularly in the area of biobanking and bioresources. The unique expertise of the Biospecimen Science Group in managing the NIST Biorepository enables NIST to lead in the development of biobanking best practices and standards, globally.

Past research has leveraged archived samples using molecular biology techniques to determine sample suitability for important "-omics" analysis. Data from genetics (metagenomics, genomics, eDNA, population genetics, etc.), proteomics, and metabolomics can provide important information on the effects contaminant exposure have temporally and geographically.

Research Interests:

• Expanding leadership in the development of international standards and best practices
• Technology transfer related to biobanking to elevate biospecimen science essential to ensuring high quality and reproducible research
• Laser diffraction particle size analysis on SRMs and other samples
• Exploring novel uses of banked samples
• Expanding biomolecular use of biorepository samples in the NIST Biorepository