Malena Ruiz

Malena Ruiz is the Senior Operations Manager for the Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS site in Washington, DC. To ensure a successful opening of the site, Malena will confirm that all equipment is installed as per the SOWs and upon occupancy, will ensure the site is ready to onboard its future Licensees.

Malena served 10 years in the U.S. Army at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Washington, D.C. She was exposed to laboratory/facilities design and installations, furnishings, equipment/systems acquisition, and maintenance, as well as the importance of maintaining systems and information, which allowed for an easy transition to the biotech industry. For the last 20+ years, Malena has assisted start-ups and a variety of companies to successfully design and implement their laboratory/facilities infrastructure. While directing the laboratory operations life-cycle, she was also responsible for establishing Operations, Environmental Health and Safety requirements.  She managed security, hazardous waste programs, property procurement, contracts, certifications, installations, preventive maintenance, repairs/restorations, decommissions, dispositions, and surrender plan executions. Malena prepared and conducted training, performed benchmark assessments, and conducted program audits. She recommended and implemented solutions following GLP guidelines for audit findings (external/internal) in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and local municipalities mandates and standards.

Malena holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, a Masters in General Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland University College Park (now University of Maryland Global Campus) and is an OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer.