Experience

Fate Therapeutics Inc

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Associate Director

  • Jan 2023 - Present

• Principal Scientist

  • Jan 2022 - Jan 2023

  Cellular Reprogramming and Engineering, iPSC Science and Manufacturing • Recruit and establish a dedicated R&D and Process Development team (6 FTEs) within iPSC Science and Manufacturing Department • Manage R&D activities related to iPSC platform and technology development including T cell and fibroblast reprogramming, iPSC engineering via novel multiplex CRISPR engineering strategies, iPSC cell line development, and validation of iPSC quality • Oversee process development and tech… Show more Cellular Reprogramming and Engineering, iPSC Science and Manufacturing • Recruit and establish a dedicated R&D and Process Development team (6 FTEs) within iPSC Science and Manufacturing Department • Manage R&D activities related to iPSC platform and technology development including T cell and fibroblast reprogramming, iPSC engineering via novel multiplex CRISPR engineering strategies, iPSC cell line development, and validation of iPSC quality • Oversee process development and tech transfer activities to facilitate manufacture of cGMP iPSC master cell banks (MCB) • Author and review documents for IND filing • Lead recurring interdepartmental meetings to collaborate and advance joint research initiatives • Present project objectives, deliverables, and data to external corporate partners and senior leadership

• Senior Scientist

  • Jul 2020 - Dec 2021

  • Led a team of 3 PhD-level direct reports in the development of fibroblast- and/or iPSC-derived NK product candidates including R&D, IND-enabling activities, and iPSC MCB derivation • Project lead for FT536 and FT579 iPSC MCB generation, overseeing activities and presenting results to management and cross-functional teams • Presented project workflow, timelines, and data to project group and wider matrixed research organization to advance project milestones and product development •… Show more • Led a team of 3 PhD-level direct reports in the development of fibroblast- and/or iPSC-derived NK product candidates including R&D, IND-enabling activities, and iPSC MCB derivation • Project lead for FT536 and FT579 iPSC MCB generation, overseeing activities and presenting results to management and cross-functional teams • Presented project workflow, timelines, and data to project group and wider matrixed research organization to advance project milestones and product development • Draft quality and regulatory documents for IND-filing

• Scientist

  • Jan 2019 - Jun 2020

  • Project lead for FT576 iPSC MCB generation • Implemented and tracked progress across cross-functional teams for the validation of large banks of independent clonal master engineered iPSC lines post-cryopreservation and cell banking for iPSC-derived NK and CAR-T cell product candidates • Optimized cellular reprogramming of somatic cells and genetic engineering of stem cells to accelerate the company’s off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy products



Genea Biocells US, Inc.

• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Scientist

  • Feb 2017 - Dec 2018

  Modeling muscular dystrophies in vitro using a human pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle platform for drug discovery • Led CRO projects in experimental design, troubleshooting, execution, and presentation to external partners • Managed collaborations with industry partners to expand Genea’s human skeletal muscle platform, including projects to establish an in vitro neuromuscular junction model using stem cell-derived motor neurons and skeletal muscle and develop high… Show more Modeling muscular dystrophies in vitro using a human pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle platform for drug discovery • Led CRO projects in experimental design, troubleshooting, execution, and presentation to external partners • Managed collaborations with industry partners to expand Genea’s human skeletal muscle platform, including projects to establish an in vitro neuromuscular junction model using stem cell-derived motor neurons and skeletal muscle and develop high throughput functional assays to accelerate drug discovery • Accelerated internal satellite cell platform development by optimizing myogenic differentiation protocols, integrating new technologies, developing assays, and adapting stem cell-based models to meet industry needs • Researched and proposed new candidate diseases for pipeline project evaluation to management team, presenting project hypotheses, feasibility, timelines, and resources required to achieve project milestones • Mentored undergraduate CIRM interns in independent projects Show less Modeling muscular dystrophies in vitro using a human pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle platform for drug discovery • Led CRO projects in experimental design, troubleshooting, execution, and presentation to external partners • Managed collaborations with industry partners to expand Genea’s human skeletal muscle platform, including projects to establish an in vitro neuromuscular junction model using stem cell-derived motor neurons and skeletal muscle and develop high… Show more Modeling muscular dystrophies in vitro using a human pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle platform for drug discovery • Led CRO projects in experimental design, troubleshooting, execution, and presentation to external partners • Managed collaborations with industry partners to expand Genea’s human skeletal muscle platform, including projects to establish an in vitro neuromuscular junction model using stem cell-derived motor neurons and skeletal muscle and develop high throughput functional assays to accelerate drug discovery • Accelerated internal satellite cell platform development by optimizing myogenic differentiation protocols, integrating new technologies, developing assays, and adapting stem cell-based models to meet industry needs • Researched and proposed new candidate diseases for pipeline project evaluation to management team, presenting project hypotheses, feasibility, timelines, and resources required to achieve project milestones • Mentored undergraduate CIRM interns in independent projects Show less



UC San Diego

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD Student, Biomedical Sciences

  • Sep 2010 - Nov 2016

  Advisor: Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, Ph.D. Thesis: Elucidating Amyloid Precursor Protein Function in Human Astrocytes Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells • Optimized and validated a novel astrocyte differentiation protocol from PSCs using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and cell-based functional assays • Utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic stem cells and document disease-relevant phenotypes in Alzheimer’s disease astrocytes and neurons, expanding on the field’s… Show more Advisor: Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, Ph.D. Thesis: Elucidating Amyloid Precursor Protein Function in Human Astrocytes Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells • Optimized and validated a novel astrocyte differentiation protocol from PSCs using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and cell-based functional assays • Utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic stem cells and document disease-relevant phenotypes in Alzheimer’s disease astrocytes and neurons, expanding on the field’s predominantly neuron-only “disease in a dish” model • Identified a role for astrocytic Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) in cholesterol homeostasis and amyloid clearance • Mentored an undergraduate bioengineering student in an independent project to target and generate an allelic series of isogenic stem cell lines differing at the Alzheimer’s risk gene APOE

• Teaching Assistant

  • Sep 2012 - Dec 2012

  BICD 100 - Genetics: Clarified relevant topics in a genetics course for science majors by preparing weekly lectures, worksheets/quizzes in two one-hour discussion sections; assisted students in weekly office hours; graded midterm and final exams.



Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Research Intern

  • Jul 2009 - Jul 2010

  Therapeutic Gene Regulation Group: • Studied zinc-finger-mediated genome editing as a potential therapy and novel technology for Parkinson’s disease research by screening for the activity of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) and nucleases (ZFNs) and cloning donor constructs • Collaborated with other scientists to explore a novel neurotrophic factor-based therapy by generating zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) to activate the expression of the endogenous GDNF… Show more Therapeutic Gene Regulation Group: • Studied zinc-finger-mediated genome editing as a potential therapy and novel technology for Parkinson’s disease research by screening for the activity of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) and nucleases (ZFNs) and cloning donor constructs • Collaborated with other scientists to explore a novel neurotrophic factor-based therapy by generating zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) to activate the expression of the endogenous GDNF gene • Identified zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to generate sets of isogenic disease and control human pluripotent stem cells that differ at susceptibility variants in Parkinson’s disease genes, LRRK2 and SNCA Show less Therapeutic Gene Regulation Group: • Studied zinc-finger-mediated genome editing as a potential therapy and novel technology for Parkinson’s disease research by screening for the activity of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) and nucleases (ZFNs) and cloning donor constructs • Collaborated with other scientists to explore a novel neurotrophic factor-based therapy by generating zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) to activate the expression of the endogenous GDNF… Show more Therapeutic Gene Regulation Group: • Studied zinc-finger-mediated genome editing as a potential therapy and novel technology for Parkinson’s disease research by screening for the activity of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) and nucleases (ZFNs) and cloning donor constructs • Collaborated with other scientists to explore a novel neurotrophic factor-based therapy by generating zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) to activate the expression of the endogenous GDNF gene • Identified zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to generate sets of isogenic disease and control human pluripotent stem cells that differ at susceptibility variants in Parkinson’s disease genes, LRRK2 and SNCA Show less



University of California, Berkeley

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Researcher

  • Oct 2006 - May 2009

  Mentor: Lewis J. Feldman, Ph.D. • Investigated the role of redox in plant development by screening Arabidopsis DNA for ascorbate oxidase mutants and cloning vector constructs to overexpress genes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle • Trained and supervised other undergraduate researchers in experimental protocols and proper lab techniques

• Undergraduate Student Instructor

  • Aug 2007 - Dec 2007

  Biology 1AL - General Biology Lab: Assisted the Graduate Student Instructor in explaining topics in an introductory biology course for science majors by coordinating lectures, creating instructional aids, preparing quizzes and exams, and giving demonstrations on dissected animals in a weekly, 3-hour lab. Also coached students on laboratory and problem solving techniques to ensure students’ comprehension of difficult topics.