Alexandra Crook, PhD
A PhD Analytical Chemist passionate about the intersection of science, technology, and operational efficiency.
About Me
I am a detail-oriented and innovative PhD Analytical Chemist with a passion for optimizing laboratory environments. My background isn't just in rigorous scientific research; it's in making the science happen more efficiently. I thrive on identifying operational bottlenecks, designing automated workflows, and implementing robust systems that empower research teams to focus on what they do best.
With hands-on experience in project management tools like ClickUp, survey and data platforms like Qualtrics, and creating powerful automations with Power Automate, I bridge the gap between the laboratory bench and operational excellence. My goal is to leverage this unique blend of scientific and technical skills to contribute to innovative and efficient scientific environments.
Core Expertise
Lab Operations & Management
Inventory management, SOP development, equipment maintenance scheduling, and laboratory safety compliance.
Workflow Automation
Designing and implementing automated workflows using Power Automate to reduce manual tasks and increase data accuracy.
Project Management
Utilizing ClickUp for task management, project tracking, and team collaboration to ensure milestones are met on time.
Analytical Chemistry
PhD-level expertise in method development, validation, and operation of various analytical instruments.
Data Systems & APIs
Experience with APIs for system integration and using Qualtrics for complex data collection and analysis.
Technical Communication
Translating complex scientific and technical concepts to diverse audiences, from stakeholders to bench scientists.
Key Projects
Automation of Lab Equipment Monitoring
Developed a Power Automate flow that parsed daily equipment diagnostic emails, extracted key performance indicators, and logged them into a centralized SharePoint list. This created a real-time dashboard of instrument health, reducing downtime by 15%.
Research Project Management with ClickUp
Implemented ClickUp to manage a multi-faceted research project involving three collaborators. Built a system for tracking experiments, sample status, and data analysis pipelines, which improved project clarity and led to meeting publication deadlines more effectively.
Qualtrics-Based Sample Submission Portal
Designed and deployed a dynamic Qualtrics survey for sample submissions, using conditional logic to capture precise metadata. Integrated with Power Automate to create trackable items in SharePoint, eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors by 25%.
Standardized Data Analysis Templates
Authored a suite of standardized data processing templates for common analytical techniques. This initiative streamlined the data analysis workflow, ensuring consistency across projects and reducing new team member onboarding time significantly.
Certificates & Awards
ClickUp Certified Professional
ClickUp University | 2023
Official certification for advanced proficiency in ClickUp for project management.
Power Platform Fundamentals
Microsoft | 2022
Official certification for core understanding of Power Platform, including Power Automate.
Excellence in Graduate Research
University Department | 2020
Awarded for outstanding contribution to analytical chemistry through innovative research.
Best Poster Presentation
National Symposium | 2019
Recognized for clear communication and impactful findings on novel separation techniques.
Conference Talks
From Lab Notebooks to Live Dashboards: Using ClickUp
Lab Operations & Management Summit | 2022
Shared best practices on transitioning a research group's project tracking from traditional methods to a digital system.
Automating Lab Workflows with Low-Code Solutions
Annual Conference on Scientific Computing | 2021
Presented a session on leveraging Power Automate to streamline data collection and instrument monitoring.
Novel Approaches in Mass Spectrometry for Metabolomics
International Mass Spectrometry Conference | 2020
A presentation of key findings from my dissertation research, focusing on method development for complex samples.
Recent Publications
Delayed blastocyst development is associated with altered metabolism and proteome in male and female bovine embryos
Fresa, K. J., Cheng, M. H., Larson, K. Y., Crook, A. A., Saviola, A. J., Gonzalez-Castro, R. A., ... & Carnevale, E. M.
Biology of Reproduction, 2025, Vol. 112(6), pp. 1072-1085.
View Publication →Best practices in NMR metabolomics: Current state
Powers, R., Andersson, E. R., Bayless, A. L., Brua, R. B., Chang, M. C., Cheng, L. L., ... & Quality Control Consortium.
TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 2024, Vol. 171, 117478.
View Publication →Mitochondrial metabolism in astrocytes is essential for their survival against neurotoxic electrophile exposure
Crook, A. A., Rose, J., Anandhan, A., Brian, C., Powers, R., & Franco, R.
Journal of Neuroscience Research, 2023, in revision.
(Link not available for in-revision articles)
Histidine enhances the anticancer effect of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer via disruption of amino acid homeostasis and oxidant-antioxidant balance
Kumar, N., Rachagani, S., Natarajan, G., Crook, A. A., Gopal, T., Kaushal, J., ... & Saraswathi, V.
Cancers, 2023, Vol. 15(9), pp. 2593.
View Publication →Get In Touch
I'm always open to discussing new projects, collaborations, or ideas at the intersection of science and technology. Please feel free to reach out.