Experience

Isogenica Limited

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Scientist

  • May 2022 - Present



Abzena

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Scientist

  • May 2021 - Apr 2022

  Key scientist in the Protein Engineering team, contributing to the variety of services offered by the company • Mentoring and training of junior colleagues. • Process development and improvement to reduce timelines and costs. • Molecular biology support – cloning, DNA sequencing, endotoxin free DNA upscaling • Hybridoma sequencing – RNA extraction and sequence determination of positive VH and VK/VL genes • Mammalian cell culture support – transient and stable transfection of suspension and adherent cell lines, such as CHO-S and HEK293, maintenance and expansion of cultures to support project work • Protein purification from mammalian cultures using affinity chromatography Akta systems – Protein A, Ni-NTA and preparative Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) • Antibody and antibody fragment humanization and de-immunization – in silico prediction, modelling, mutagenesis Show less



abcam

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Scientist

  • May 2020 - May 2021

  Key scientist in the Custom Solutions Department molecular biology team, contributing in the B-cell cloning process of the RabMAb® monoclonal antibody generation platform. • Mentoring and training of junior colleagues. • Process development and improvement to reduce timelines and costs. • Delivering on customer projects according to strict deadlines and adhering to allocated budgeting. • Planning and execution of projects, consumable and reagent management to ensure smooth project delivery. Show less



Agenus

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Associate Scientist

  • May 2017 - Apr 2020

  Key scientist in the antibody discovery group in this US/UK-based antibody therapeutic company: • Key project team member and sole molecular biology resource for AGEN1423, a novel immuno-oncology antiCD73/TGFβ-trap bispecific antibody that was filed for IND at the end of 2018 and was licensed to Gilead for $150m. • The key molecular biology resource for a high-priority bispecific project targeting NK cells that is advancing to IND by end of 2020. • Design and generate strategies for lead antibody clone sequence optimization in record speeds – affinity maturation, humanization, sequence liability removal, developability profile improvements. • New process development and implementation – high throughput molecular cloning methodology allowing rapid antibody and antibody fragment clone conversion from scFv to IgG for mammalian expression and characterization. • Establish collaborations to enable access to external services – gene synthesis and molecular cloning outsourcing, custom cloning reagent sourcing. • Organization and upkeep of valuable and useful reagents for functional and cross-functional groups. • Regularly presenting at global project team meetings to update on plans and progress, and at UK site meetings to share best practices and troubleshoot issues. • Organizing and chairing monthly site-wide seminars. • Cross-site Health and Safety committee member – discussing and implementing guidelines for proper equipment and process use, point-of-contact for functional group regarding H&S questions/issues. Show less



F-star, an invoX company

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Associate

  • Oct 2013 - May 2017

  Part of the Discovery group in this antibody therapeutic company: • Key contributor on collaboration projects for novel bispecific molecules targeting membrane receptor proteins – molecular biology and phage/yeast display work on FS120 molecule, which is a potential best-in-class dual agonist bispecific antibody, targeting OX40 and CD137 (4-1BB). • Design and run lead clone affinity maturation campaigns at a fast pace, utilizing phage display and yeast display platforms – ran the affinity maturation campaign for the OX40 arm of FS120 molecule using Yeast Display; identified the lead candidate working in cross functionally with protein science and biological assay teams. • Extensive personal development in usage of most modern biotechnology field methods, techniques and instruments – acquired skills in mammalian tissue culture, transient transfection, stable cell line culturing; developed molecular cloning expertise in antibody and fragment reformatting; learned Phage and Yeast Display by running 3 antibody fragment and 2 intact antibody discovery and affinity maturation programs. • Active participation in company-wide Journal Club current paper reviews. Show less



Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

• Riga, Latvia

• Scientific Assistant

  • Oct 2008 - Jul 2013

  Placement position at the Recombinant Viral Protein laboratory during my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. Trained in a variety of lab techniques, practices & performed research on several projects: • Good lab work practice, PPE, sterile work techniques, recordkeeping and presentation skills. • Molecular biology methods: PCR, enzymatic DNA manipulations, bacterial culture, HPLC, affinity protein purification, Western Blot, optical microscopy. • General laboratory stock upkeep: buffer and media preparation, reagent ordering and stocking. • Molecular characterization of small plant RNA viral proteins expressed and purified from prokaryotic hosts, protein-protein interaction studies. • Technology development and troubleshooting for Virus-Like Particle generation. • Peptide fragment library construction for a bacterial two-hybrid protein-protein interaction screening system. Show less