Experience

Prellis Biologics

• United States
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Tissue Engineering

  • Oct 2021 - Present

  San Francisco Bay Area Leading efforts for the development of complex 3D tissue models for antibody discovery and tumor model development using holographic, laser-based 3D printing.



University of Maryland College Park

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Director, NIH Center for Engineering Complex Tissues (CECT)

  • Sep 2017 - Dec 2021

  College Park, Maryland Steering the research, administrative, logistical, budgetary, and dissemination operations of a $6 million National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Center for 3D printing and biofabrication of artificial tissues. ★ Engage key opinion leaders (KOLs) and developed over 10 strategic partnerships that leveraged the expertise of CECT in tissue engineering and biofabrication to address pressing biomedical needs ★ Promote CECT growth synergistically with its mission and vision by… Show more Steering the research, administrative, logistical, budgetary, and dissemination operations of a $6 million National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Center for 3D printing and biofabrication of artificial tissues. ★ Engage key opinion leaders (KOLs) and developed over 10 strategic partnerships that leveraged the expertise of CECT in tissue engineering and biofabrication to address pressing biomedical needs ★ Promote CECT growth synergistically with its mission and vision by identifying new ventures and opportunities, conducting breakthrough research, and inform the scientific community of CECT progress scientific articles, talks, and conference presentations. ★ Lead for multiple research projects and a guide and mentor for several students and senior researchers. Show less



University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Postdoctoral Researcher ► Innovator ► Project Lead ► Tissue Engineering

  • Aug 2014 - Sep 2017

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Developed innovative biomaterial-based 3D tissue platforms imitating bone marrow and brain tumor biology to improve our understanding of the tissue microenvironment and to develop clinically relevant therapeutic applications ★ In a collaborative effort, developed a biology-driven computational model of stem cell culture that accurately describes cell kinetics and predicts growth outcomes ★ Spearheaded the design of patterned microfluidics-based hydrogels for cell culture, performed… Show more Developed innovative biomaterial-based 3D tissue platforms imitating bone marrow and brain tumor biology to improve our understanding of the tissue microenvironment and to develop clinically relevant therapeutic applications ★ In a collaborative effort, developed a biology-driven computational model of stem cell culture that accurately describes cell kinetics and predicts growth outcomes ★ Spearheaded the design of patterned microfluidics-based hydrogels for cell culture, performed computational analysis of fluid flow, and oversaw construction of an incubator for experiments ★ Published 3 high-impact scientific papers, contributed to grant proposals, supervised undergraduate and graduate student projects, and developed technical protocols of operation.

• Entrepreneur ► Award winner ►Drug screening ►Tissue platforms

  • Aug 2015 - Oct 2016

  Urbana, IL Won the $50,000 Proof-of-Concept Award sponsored by the Office of Technology Management (OTM) and the Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) for a start-up venture. ★ Developed a 3D tissue platform that utilizes principles of microfluidics, microfabrication and tissue engineering to create niche environments for early stage high throughput drug screening ★ Wrote grant proposals, handled project budget, technical planning and implementation, and under the NSF I-Corps program identified… Show more Won the $50,000 Proof-of-Concept Award sponsored by the Office of Technology Management (OTM) and the Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) for a start-up venture. ★ Developed a 3D tissue platform that utilizes principles of microfluidics, microfabrication and tissue engineering to create niche environments for early stage high throughput drug screening ★ Wrote grant proposals, handled project budget, technical planning and implementation, and under the NSF I-Corps program identified customer segment and value proposition of the 3D tissue platform

• Doctoral Graduate Student ► Communicator ► Stem cells ► Microfluidics

  • Aug 2008 - Aug 2014

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Investigated hematopoietic stem cell biology and the influence of external for the directed proliferation and differentiation for therapeutic applications. Established exploratory microfluidics-based devices capable of mimicking aspects of native biology to develop complex in vitro models. ★ Elucidated effects of molecular signaling mechanisms on primary murine hematopoietic stem cell biology in 2D and 3D culture platforms. ★ Published 4 high-impact scientific papers on topics of… Show more Investigated hematopoietic stem cell biology and the influence of external for the directed proliferation and differentiation for therapeutic applications. Established exploratory microfluidics-based devices capable of mimicking aspects of native biology to develop complex in vitro models. ★ Elucidated effects of molecular signaling mechanisms on primary murine hematopoietic stem cell biology in 2D and 3D culture platforms. ★ Published 4 high-impact scientific papers on topics of hematopoietic stem cell engineering. Developed and improved microfluidic devices to create gradient hydrogels, and improved device functionality and implementation by >50% ★ Synthesized photosensitive gelatin and poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) polymers as 3D platforms for long-term cell culture Show less



OTCR Consulting

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Engagement Partner ► Leader ► Project Manager ► Consultant

  • Sep 2011 - Dec 2013

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign As part of OTCR Consulting, our primary objective was to assist our clients in expanding their business, strategize market entry and product development and boost profits. ★ As Engagement Partner, managed a multi-disciplinary team of 60 consultants in strategic operations and logistics and met aggressive project deliverables, goals, and timelines ★ Under Project Manager and Consultant roles, consulted with 3 firms for market entry strategy and product feasibility by assessing market… Show more As part of OTCR Consulting, our primary objective was to assist our clients in expanding their business, strategize market entry and product development and boost profits. ★ As Engagement Partner, managed a multi-disciplinary team of 60 consultants in strategic operations and logistics and met aggressive project deliverables, goals, and timelines ★ Under Project Manager and Consultant roles, consulted with 3 firms for market entry strategy and product feasibility by assessing market demands, performing financial analysis, and presented clients with the final deliverable reports Show less



Thermo Fisher Scientific

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Process Engineering Intern

  • Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Pleasanton, CA ★ Performed Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Root Cause analysis to improve DNA synthesizer efficiency ★ Remodeled and calculated reactor design requirements to achieve performance improvement