Experience

Arete Biosciences, Inc
• United States
• Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Senior Scientist

  • Jun 2023 - Present


Thermo Fisher Scientific

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Scientist III, Molecular Biology

  • Apr 2022 - Jun 2023

  Involved in assay formulation chemistry optimization and integration for the next generation point of care (PoC) test/product. • Successfully executed the optimization & validation of our assay chemistry formulation for multiplexing targets on- and off- platform. • Screened multiple on-market enzymes to identify best the candidates for the increase of assay sensitivity. • Part of a cross-functional integration team (Assay Formulation Dev. & Engineering) to characterize the functional capabilities of next-gen PoC prototypes and iterations and integrate advancements to meet milestones. • Prepared study reports and presented data for R&D leaders and potential vendors whose products had been tested in the scope of our assay. Show less



FemtoDx

• United States
• Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Scientist

  • Aug 2021 - Mar 2022

  Worked on research and development for biomarker detection using our biosensor platform. Actively designed and optimized enzymatic and immunoassays on- and off-platform using existing and novel chemistry to improve detection. Worked with colleagues on the team to prepare and present our scientific progress to colleagues and company leaders, as well as current and potential investors. Worked on research and development for biomarker detection using our biosensor platform. Actively designed and optimized enzymatic and immunoassays on- and off-platform using existing and novel chemistry to improve detection. Worked with colleagues on the team to prepare and present our scientific progress to colleagues and company leaders, as well as current and potential investors.



University of California, Los Angeles

• Information Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Postdoctoral Scholar

  • Jan 2021 - Aug 2021

  1) Optimized cytometric bead arrays for the detection of cytokines in murine urogenital tract tissue using flow cytometry.2) Granulocyte isolation from whole blood for downstream in vitro assays3) Study of in vivo parasite pathogenic factors, & analyzed additional parasite adherence factors.- Chemical Safety Officer, Biohazard Safety Officer, and UCLA Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine Liaison for the Johnson Lab.

• Graduate Student Researcher

  • Jun 2015 - Dec 2020

  1) Identified & characterized a surface-expressed membrane protein involved in parasite adherence to the host. Identified differentially expressed surface proteins in varyingly adherent parasites using LC-MS/MS. Employed molecular biology methods (e.g., CRISPR & overexpression) for gene characterization. Expressed & purified recombinant proteins using bacterial over-expression. Performed biophysical characterization of the parasite surface protein & identified host binding partner. 2) Developed & optimized a male murine model to study in vivo parasite pathogenesis. Parasites introduced into the murine urogenital tract using transurethral catheterization. Designed ex-vivo nanoluciferase assay using infected murine tissue to quantify parasite burden. - Chemical Safety Officer, Biohazard Safety Officer, and UCLA Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine Liaison for the Johnson Lab.- Successfully trained lab members (undergrad and post-doctoral scholars) on T. vaginalis-specific assays, molecular cloning (e.g. CRISPR), and murine in vivo studies (e.g. infection, tissue processing, data processing)- Awarded two NIH-funded training grants for a combined four-year annual stipend.- Awarded the UCLA Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship for a two-year annual stipend. Show less

• Teaching Assistant for Molecular Parasitology

  • Sep 2015 - Dec 2016

  • Responsible for leading discussion sections• Assisted with grading, exam preparation and monitoring, and led exam review sections



California State University, Los Angeles

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student Researcher

  • Sep 2012 - Aug 2014

  Advisor: Dr. H. Howard Xu• Awarded Department of Defense Biodefense training grant for a one-year annual stipend.• Awarded the NIH MBRS-RISE Bridges MS to PhD for a one-year annual stipend.• Used a promoter replacement gene knock-down strategy to determine gene essentiality in Acinetobacter baumannii, facilitating the discovery of novel target-specific inhibitors of A. baumannii for clinical development

• Teaching Assistant for Microbiology

  • Apr 2014 - Jun 2014

  • Responsible for teaching the laboratory section and prepared short lectures for every period.• Designed and graded weekly online quizzes.• Assisted with exam preparation and monitoring, and led exam review sections.



Whittier College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Undergraduate Student Researcher

  • Feb 2010 - Aug 2012

  • Provided assistance on studies examining parasitic prevalence in reptiles.• Dissected the digestive tract of both common and rare reptiles in search of previously undiscovered parasites, while occasionally also removing the gonads for further study.• Assisted in the care and maintenance of live reptiles and amphibians.

• Undergraduate Student Researcher

  • Sep 2008 - Aug 2011

  In a collaborative effort with Rita B. Effros from UCLA, w set out to determine the effects of the nutraceuticals by means of telomerase upregulation, as well as the presence of sirtuins in hope of delaying the onset of cellular senescence. Presented results at the annual American Association of Immunologists conference, as well as undergraduate research centered conferences (i.e. Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research).

• Student Tutor

  • Feb 2010 - May 2010

  • Assisted students with lab reports and weekly homework.• Reviewed material covered during lecture for upcoming quizzes and exams.• Covered General Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Biology of Organisms courses.