People Are our Chemistry
At Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing, we believe that our people provide our strength. Their dedication to quality, team work, and customer satisfaction are the key elements in the company’s success. In this regular feature, we introduce you to some of the people who have helped make Eurofins an industry leader.
Bringing 30 years of QA, R&D, and microbiology testing expertise to EBPT Portage’s Microbiology Team, Nate Lewis thrives on a good client challenge. “One of my most satisfying roles is when a client has a project quandary,” says Nate, Principal Microbiologist. “The collaboration and troubleshooting among clients and my colleagues is brilliant. We have such great teamwork in helping clients get past the hurdles and advance their products safely. It’s also an exciting place to work as we are always growing and currently expanding our laboratory space and service capabilities to include Sterility, Endotoxin, and Microbial Limits Testing.” Read more about Nate:
What does your current job entail?
My primary focus in my current job is Disinfectant Efficacy Testing (from talking to the customers needs, quoting, protocol writing, testing, and report writing). Other tasks that I have a hand in are Antimicrobial Efficacy Testing (AET), procedure/protocol writing/updating, endotoxin testing, and technical review.
Why should clients trust us with their projects?
Our clients keep their trust in us by our keeping an open line of communication. We take the time to listen to their needs, come up with a plan, and execute it. I believe the fact that we have had many repeat clients proves our trustworthiness and the results we have given on their previous projects.
Given all of your responsibilities, how would you describe a typical workday?
The fact is that there is no typical day is the fact that I love my job at Eurofins. There are days I can be doing testing in the lab all day. I can spend time on a call with a client figuring out their needs and then turn around and come up with a method/testing scheme to meet their needs. I can be planning the next project, from protocol, to media and consumables needed, along with timing and scheduling. And sharing knowledge and experience gained over the years with other Eurofins employees through training is rewarding.
How would you characterize your leadership style?
I like to lead by example and consistency. My parents worked very hard and have instilled that in me. I also like to give others the chance to figure things out with little guidance. Teach them, show them, let them try, and then let them advance comfortable with their abilities. My wife is an elementary school teacher, and it is amazing some of ways she teaches lessons that resonate through all age groups.
What kind of volunteer activities have you been involved with?
Outside of work I have been in Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association, a group that helps handicapped individuals, from physical to mental challenges, get out on the slopes and ski. I have also helped with many of our kids’ sports. I belong to Trout Unlimited and enjoy the opportunities to help outside and give the next generations the chance to get out and fly fish.
And when you’re not working?
I enjoy watching my kids’ sporting events. When not traveling around with them, and there is some free time, I enjoy fly fishing. I try to tie as many flies as possible during the winter to make it through the rest of the year. I have recently started going old school and listening to music on vinyl while tying flies.