At YEEO Eco-Safe Inc., we are driven by a mission to protect public health with safe, effective, and environmentally friendly insect control.

We develop sustainable solutions for global pest management using patented Yeast-Encapsulated Essential Oils (YEEO). YEEO combines Essential Oils, the all-natural insecticides plants produce to protect themselves, with an innovative yeast encapsulation technique. Mosquito larvae ingest the yeast bait, triggering a rapid release of oils that quickly kill these vectors without harming beneficial species.

We have successfully completed the required field trials (it really works!), and are in the process of finalizing our EPA application package. Our lab is currently working on understanding how to scale up from kilograms to tons, while obtaining the final data necessary for a successful application.

About the position:

We are looking for a Biotechnology R&D Intern to work at our laboratory in Albuquerque. You will be mentored by Dr. Michael Workman, who has a PhD in nanoscience and microsystems engineering and background in materials synthesis and analysis. In addition to standard lab equipment, we have an HPLC and a pilot scale spray dryer. We have multiple projects; you may engage with one or more during your time here:

Laboratory focus:

• HPLC sample prep and instrument operation – this is our primary analytical method to evaluate experimental results
  • Sample preparation including extractions and serial dilutions
  • Instrument operation including setup, sample entry, and method selection
  • Advanced users can assist with new method development as needed
• Larvicidal assay (kill curve) – how we ultimately assess performance
  • Become familiar with larval rearing procedures for the desired genus
  • Rear larvae to the desired maturity, count into dosing cups, calculate volumes and dose larvicide, then count resulting mortality

Literature focus:

• Survey of existing technologies to dry viable yeast
  • Our product contains no viable yeast, but these technologies may provide insight on how to maximize the integrity of our dried product
  • Spray drying should be one of these technologies
    • This can be extended to an experimental project by applying literature suggestions to our process
• Analysis of degradation pathways in dried yeast products
  • Initially a literature search for existing information on how dried yeast products break down over time
  • Once potential pathways are identified, determine what experiments/analyses will allow us to measure this degradation in our product
    • If it is not a capability we have in-house, determine where we can do the analyses, i.e. user facilities or companies we can pay to do them
• Formal writeup of procedures
  • We have most of our procedures written in laboratory notebooks, with only a few transcribed digitally
  • Observe and understand our procedures so you can create written instructions (standard operating procedure documents)

Even split:

• Identification and incorporation of alternate preservatives
• The preservative we are currently using is on the EPA Inert Ingredient list, but they are considering removing it
• Initial literature search to find compatible preservatives that are on the EPA Inert Ingredient list

• Once one or two are identified, experimental project to incorporate preservative into our synthesis method
• Additional experimental project to develop HPLC method to measure preservative concentration

About you:

You should be able to locate relevant journal articles or online texts to support your research; wizards at this art strongly desired. Prior study/research on yeast, mosquitoes, or preservatives is a plus, but not at all required.

We are a small lab staffed by only two; you will be the third in our little group. So, the most important thing is you finding something here you want to do. We are happy to answer questions, show techniques, and provide guidance to help you be successful in whichever project(s) interest you. We don’t have a pre-set curriculum, which provides you both the responsibility and freedom to choose what you will do during your time with us. If this sounds interesting to you, please apply!