Experience

Nikon Instruments

• United States
• Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Biosystems Service and QC Specialist

  • Oct 2022 - Present



Gene Therapy Program | University of Pennsylvania

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Lead Researcher

  • Dec 2020 - Oct 2022

  Lead Researcher with the Lysosomal Storage disease team of Dr. Juliette Hordeaux in the James Wilson Laboratory/ Gene Therapy Program at UPenn. Implemented modern CNS-directed AAV gene therapies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene delivery in non-clinical and preclinical mouse models of lysosomal storage diseases, and preclinical toxicology and pharmacological studies in non-human primates Developed codon optimized gene therapies for non-clinical and clinical proof of concept… Show more Lead Researcher with the Lysosomal Storage disease team of Dr. Juliette Hordeaux in the James Wilson Laboratory/ Gene Therapy Program at UPenn. Implemented modern CNS-directed AAV gene therapies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene delivery in non-clinical and preclinical mouse models of lysosomal storage diseases, and preclinical toxicology and pharmacological studies in non-human primates Developed codon optimized gene therapies for non-clinical and clinical proof of concept studies to assess the histological and behavioral correction via intracerebroventricular injections in the neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases of Batten disease (CLN1) and Niemann Pick type A (NPA) Performed meta-analysis of non-human primate serum and cerebral spinal fluid to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers of neurodegeneration, spinal cord axonopathy and DRG associated toxicity after AAV delivery via intravenous and intra cisterna magna injections Optimized and applied improved histological methods for the preparation and assessment of ceroid and lipofuschin autofluorescence storage material, neuroinflammation, and microglial activation in Lysosomal storage diseases Managed direct and indirect reports in non-clinical and preclinical studies to evaluate gene therapy and biomarker discovery via ISH, IHC, and IF imaging and analysis Show less Lead Researcher with the Lysosomal Storage disease team of Dr. Juliette Hordeaux in the James Wilson Laboratory/ Gene Therapy Program at UPenn. Implemented modern CNS-directed AAV gene therapies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene delivery in non-clinical and preclinical mouse models of lysosomal storage diseases, and preclinical toxicology and pharmacological studies in non-human primates Developed codon optimized gene therapies for non-clinical and clinical proof of concept… Show more Lead Researcher with the Lysosomal Storage disease team of Dr. Juliette Hordeaux in the James Wilson Laboratory/ Gene Therapy Program at UPenn. Implemented modern CNS-directed AAV gene therapies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene delivery in non-clinical and preclinical mouse models of lysosomal storage diseases, and preclinical toxicology and pharmacological studies in non-human primates Developed codon optimized gene therapies for non-clinical and clinical proof of concept studies to assess the histological and behavioral correction via intracerebroventricular injections in the neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases of Batten disease (CLN1) and Niemann Pick type A (NPA) Performed meta-analysis of non-human primate serum and cerebral spinal fluid to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers of neurodegeneration, spinal cord axonopathy and DRG associated toxicity after AAV delivery via intravenous and intra cisterna magna injections Optimized and applied improved histological methods for the preparation and assessment of ceroid and lipofuschin autofluorescence storage material, neuroinflammation, and microglial activation in Lysosomal storage diseases Managed direct and indirect reports in non-clinical and preclinical studies to evaluate gene therapy and biomarker discovery via ISH, IHC, and IF imaging and analysis Show less



The University of Connecticut Health Center

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Sep 2018 - Dec 2020

  Glycogen Storage Disease Program, Laboratory of Dr. David Weinstein • Invesigated the pathophysiology of liver glycogen phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase deficiency and the direct effect on the mechanism of glycogenolysis and presentation of ketotic hypoglycemia in murine models of glycogen storage diseases type VI and IX • Examined the effect of long-term glycogen accumulation in ketotic GSD models and presentation of profibrogenic phenotypes through histological practices •… Show more Glycogen Storage Disease Program, Laboratory of Dr. David Weinstein • Invesigated the pathophysiology of liver glycogen phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase deficiency and the direct effect on the mechanism of glycogenolysis and presentation of ketotic hypoglycemia in murine models of glycogen storage diseases type VI and IX • Examined the effect of long-term glycogen accumulation in ketotic GSD models and presentation of profibrogenic phenotypes through histological practices • Studying the relationship between altered glucose metabolism, enzyme deficiency and de novo lipogenesis between metabolic abnormalities associated with fibrosis versus pathophysiology of hepatocellular adenoma development in GSD mouse models.

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Aug 2015 - Sep 2018

  Laboratory of Dr. Caroline Dealy Thesis: Stimulation of Growth Factor Signaling Mediates Pro-Regenerative Responses in a Murine Digit Amputation Model • Characterized EGFR/ErbB signaling in normal limb development stimulates a pro-regenerative response in proximally amputated murine digits with and without the addition of exogenous EGFR ligands • Established an improved proximal second phalanx amputation model (P2) that mimics the regeneration-incompetent injury of traumatic limb… Show more Laboratory of Dr. Caroline Dealy Thesis: Stimulation of Growth Factor Signaling Mediates Pro-Regenerative Responses in a Murine Digit Amputation Model • Characterized EGFR/ErbB signaling in normal limb development stimulates a pro-regenerative response in proximally amputated murine digits with and without the addition of exogenous EGFR ligands • Established an improved proximal second phalanx amputation model (P2) that mimics the regeneration-incompetent injury of traumatic limb loss, demonstrating an amputation-responsive progenitor cell population is crucial for a regeneration response. • Developed technical expertise in standard and complex histology practices and brightfield imaging • Project development, manager and training of 8 young scientists with studies awarded by the School of Dental medicine at University of Connecticut. • Independent research led to collaborations of research protocols, technical reports, oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings



The University of Connecticut Health Center

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • May 2013 - May 2015

  • Derivation and expansion of single cell pedigrees of primary fetal and adult human intestinal epithelial stem cells to study the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in 2D and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell culture models • Independent research on C. difficile toxins A/B and their effects on intestinal epithelial integrity and mucosal barrier protection using 2D and ALI cell culture models • Technical expertise in derivation and expansion of patient-derived intestinal epithelial stem… Show more • Derivation and expansion of single cell pedigrees of primary fetal and adult human intestinal epithelial stem cells to study the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in 2D and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell culture models • Independent research on C. difficile toxins A/B and their effects on intestinal epithelial integrity and mucosal barrier protection using 2D and ALI cell culture models • Technical expertise in derivation and expansion of patient-derived intestinal epithelial stem cells • Developed excellent skills and expertise in advanced microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry and histology practices. • Completion of projects in 2 years resulted in 2 co-authorships in high impact-factor, peer-reviewed journals. Show less • Derivation and expansion of single cell pedigrees of primary fetal and adult human intestinal epithelial stem cells to study the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in 2D and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell culture models • Independent research on C. difficile toxins A/B and their effects on intestinal epithelial integrity and mucosal barrier protection using 2D and ALI cell culture models • Technical expertise in derivation and expansion of patient-derived intestinal epithelial stem… Show more • Derivation and expansion of single cell pedigrees of primary fetal and adult human intestinal epithelial stem cells to study the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in 2D and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell culture models • Independent research on C. difficile toxins A/B and their effects on intestinal epithelial integrity and mucosal barrier protection using 2D and ALI cell culture models • Technical expertise in derivation and expansion of patient-derived intestinal epithelial stem cells • Developed excellent skills and expertise in advanced microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry and histology practices. • Completion of projects in 2 years resulted in 2 co-authorships in high impact-factor, peer-reviewed journals. Show less



Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

• United States
• Research Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow

  • Jul 2010 - Jul 2012

  Laboratory of Janice Y. Chou, PhD • Constructed multiple plasmids to produce recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) used for gene therapy in GSD type 1A mice. • Performed independent research on the etiology of fibrogenesis and early onset hepatocellular adenoma formation in gene therapy GSD type 1A mice. • Independently designed transgenic and liver-specific GSD-1a mouse model. • Completion of projects in 2 years resulted in 1 co-authorship in peer-reviewed journal. Laboratory of Janice Y. Chou, PhD • Constructed multiple plasmids to produce recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) used for gene therapy in GSD type 1A mice. • Performed independent research on the etiology of fibrogenesis and early onset hepatocellular adenoma formation in gene therapy GSD type 1A mice. • Independently designed transgenic and liver-specific GSD-1a mouse model. • Completion of projects in 2 years resulted in 1 co-authorship in peer-reviewed journal.



University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Sep 2007 - Jun 2010

  Laboratory of Tracie L. Ferreira, PhD Analysis of a Wnt Clade associated with Orofacial Clefting • Characterized the mRNA localization of the Wnt clade by whole mount in situ hybridization in zebrafish embryos • Conducted plasmid preparation and microinjections in zebrafish embryos Laboratory of Tracie L. Ferreira, PhD Analysis of a Wnt Clade associated with Orofacial Clefting • Characterized the mRNA localization of the Wnt clade by whole mount in situ hybridization in zebrafish embryos • Conducted plasmid preparation and microinjections in zebrafish embryos