Research Scientist

• Mar 2023 - Present

Scientist 1, Process Sciences (Drug Product)

• Aug 2021 - Sep 2022

- Scientific project lead supporting drug product development for multiple client pipelines of microbiome therapeutic products - SME on lyophilization, formulation, powder processing, characterization, drug delivery, and packaging - Prepared documentation including batch records and SOPs - Supported business development activities to improve work descriptions for client contracts - Evaluated external IP via proof-of-concept experiments - Group lead representative for EH&S -… Show more - Scientific project lead supporting drug product development for multiple client pipelines of microbiome therapeutic products - SME on lyophilization, formulation, powder processing, characterization, drug delivery, and packaging - Prepared documentation including batch records and SOPs - Supported business development activities to improve work descriptions for client contracts - Evaluated external IP via proof-of-concept experiments - Group lead representative for EH&S - Trained junior colleagues on characterization techniques Show less - Scientific project lead supporting drug product development for multiple client pipelines of microbiome therapeutic products - SME on lyophilization, formulation, powder processing, characterization, drug delivery, and packaging - Prepared documentation including batch records and SOPs - Supported business development activities to improve work descriptions for client contracts - Evaluated external IP via proof-of-concept experiments - Group lead representative for EH&S -… Show more - Scientific project lead supporting drug product development for multiple client pipelines of microbiome therapeutic products - SME on lyophilization, formulation, powder processing, characterization, drug delivery, and packaging - Prepared documentation including batch records and SOPs - Supported business development activities to improve work descriptions for client contracts - Evaluated external IP via proof-of-concept experiments - Group lead representative for EH&S - Trained junior colleagues on characterization techniques Show less

Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Jan 2017 - Jan 2021

- Authored and awarded a MIT Deshpande Center Innovation grant on single-cell encapsulation methods for enhancing microorganism viability; resulted in multiple publications, a patent application, and a startup company. - Led and organized monthly meetings for researchers involved in a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Program comprising of 6 institutions. - Pioneered novel research exploring the gut microbiota via electrochemical methods for a 1-year project… Show more - Authored and awarded a MIT Deshpande Center Innovation grant on single-cell encapsulation methods for enhancing microorganism viability; resulted in multiple publications, a patent application, and a startup company. - Led and organized monthly meetings for researchers involved in a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Program comprising of 6 institutions. - Pioneered novel research exploring the gut microbiota via electrochemical methods for a 1-year project collaborating with MIT Lincoln Laboratory. - Collaborated on a DARPA-funded project; implemented high-throughput liquid handling methods and developed high-throughput imaging methods to observe genetically programmed seed cells grow into defined colony patterns. - Performed interdisciplinary research on the manipulation of bacteria populations with electric fields. - Established a BL-2 laboratory space in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for biological work. - Mentored 5 undergraduate researchers on individual projects. Show less - Authored and awarded a MIT Deshpande Center Innovation grant on single-cell encapsulation methods for enhancing microorganism viability; resulted in multiple publications, a patent application, and a startup company. - Led and organized monthly meetings for researchers involved in a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Program comprising of 6 institutions. - Pioneered novel research exploring the gut microbiota via electrochemical methods for a 1-year project… Show more - Authored and awarded a MIT Deshpande Center Innovation grant on single-cell encapsulation methods for enhancing microorganism viability; resulted in multiple publications, a patent application, and a startup company. - Led and organized monthly meetings for researchers involved in a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Program comprising of 6 institutions. - Pioneered novel research exploring the gut microbiota via electrochemical methods for a 1-year project collaborating with MIT Lincoln Laboratory. - Collaborated on a DARPA-funded project; implemented high-throughput liquid handling methods and developed high-throughput imaging methods to observe genetically programmed seed cells grow into defined colony patterns. - Performed interdisciplinary research on the manipulation of bacteria populations with electric fields. - Established a BL-2 laboratory space in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for biological work. - Mentored 5 undergraduate researchers on individual projects. Show less

Graduate Student Researcher

• Sep 2011 - Dec 2016

- Investigated the effects of conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) on power production of microbial fuel cells in multiple device architectures. - Advanced knowledge on the mechanistic behavior of COEs on bacterial membranes and pivoted future research directions related to COEs. - Independently wrote a funded proposal to the Molecular Foundry User Program to examine charge transfer mechanisms of COE-modified E. coli - Investigated the effects of conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) on power production of microbial fuel cells in multiple device architectures. - Advanced knowledge on the mechanistic behavior of COEs on bacterial membranes and pivoted future research directions related to COEs. - Independently wrote a funded proposal to the Molecular Foundry User Program to examine charge transfer mechanisms of COE-modified E. coli

Undergraduate Research

• May 2007 - Apr 2011

Investigated the use of heavy ion dopants in the polymer-induced liquid-precusor (PILP) process to form hydroxyapatite in collagen for improved TEM imaging. Trained senior lab members on collagen extraction from rat tail tendons and junior lab members on the PILP process. Investigated the use of heavy ion dopants in the polymer-induced liquid-precusor (PILP) process to form hydroxyapatite in collagen for improved TEM imaging. Trained senior lab members on collagen extraction from rat tail tendons and junior lab members on the PILP process.

Research Experience for Undergraduates

• Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

NSF sponsored research on the influence of plasticizers on ionic conductivity of ionomers. Won 2nd place in the REU poster session. NSF sponsored research on the influence of plasticizers on ionic conductivity of ionomers. Won 2nd place in the REU poster session.

Visiting Researcher

• May 2008 - Dec 2008

Evaluated the bone healing properties of dense fibrillar collagen matrices in rat calvaria defects via histology and the role of collagen in apatite formation in two separate projects. Resulted in 2 publications and spurred multiple international collaborations. Evaluated the bone healing properties of dense fibrillar collagen matrices in rat calvaria defects via histology and the role of collagen in apatite formation in two separate projects. Resulted in 2 publications and spurred multiple international collaborations.