Experience

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  Curi Bio

  • United States
  • Biotechnology Research
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Senior Director of Research and Development

    • Feb 2024 - Present

  • Director of Therapeutic Assays

    • May 2021 - Feb 2024

    As the Director of Therapeutic Assays at Curi Bio, I led a fantastic scientific team, working collaboratively to foster business partnerships and design innovative scientific experiments. Our goal is to leverage the myriad assets of Curi Bio to develop exceptional products and ensure the success of our valued customers. During this team I doubled revenue every year and led the signing and completion of millions of dollars in contracts. Our success in services has led to the development of multiple disease models for both clients and Curi Bio.

  • Senior Research Scientist

    • Feb 2021 - May 2021

    In this role, I applied my expertise in cell biology, analytical development, and the startup environment to establish and lead a new lab at Curi Bio. Some of my key achievements during this tenure include:Implementing systems for stringent data accumulationInstituting organization changes to enhance scientific communication and rigorCreating processes for rigorous assay and experimental designEstablishing systems to improve compliance in data collectionUtilizing my Cell Biology expertise to enhance culture conditions, standards, and production techniques

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  Universal Cells

  • United States
  • Biotechnology
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Scientist II

    • Dec 2018 - Feb 2021

    As a Scientist II at Universal Cells, I played a key role in optimizing iPSC culture processes and developing novel approaches for efficient AAV-mediated gene editing of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). Some of my notable contributions during this tenure include:🧬 Developing a platform for selection-free gene editing of iPSCs📈 Designing and developing analytical methods for iPSC characterization and clone selection📊 Member and contributor to multiple project teams

  • Scientist

    • Dec 2017 - Dec 2018

    During my time as a Scientist at Universal Cells, I was instrumental in:🔬 Designing novel Taqman assays for the detection of long-amplicon PCR products🧪 Designing and developing flow cytometry and Taqman analytical assays🗂️ Generating methods, authoring SOPs, and instituting the Analytical Department's organization framework

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  University of Michigan

  • Postdoctoral Researcher

    • Jun 2014 - Aug 2017

    Research Context:• Study the function of fibroblasts in the context of aging and loss of mechanical tension in human skin. Utilized flow cytometry, protein arrays, RNAseq, and polyacrylamide hydrogels to gain clarity on fibroblast behavior.• Analyze fibroblast populations involved in wound healing and scar formation, using flow cytometry in human subjectsNotable Contributions:• Relationships: Collaborate closely with diverse stakeholders including the Principal Investigator, Nursing staff, Tissue Sample Coordinator, and other laboratories capable of analyzing samples outside of this lab’s capabilities. Provide mentorship and guidance for two student researchers.• Innovation: Developed and introduced a method for studying secreted proteins in conditioned media of fibroblasts grown on polyacrylamide hydrogels, resolving a contamination issue caused by fibroblasts escaping the original media.

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  Oregon Health and Science University

  • Caroline Enns Lab

  • Graduate Student

    • Sep 2008 - May 2014
    • Caroline Enns Lab

    Research Context:• Studied the molecular mechanisms of the liver disease ‘hereditary human hemochromatosis’. Resolved the binding and signal transduction of hemochromatosis protein (HFE), its binding partner transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2), and the BMP co-receptor hemojuvelin (HJV), and the role all three play in signal transduction through the BMP signaling pathway.Notable Contributions During Ph.D. Research:• Specialized Expertise: Re-introduced a technique into this laboratory, troubleshooting the isolation of primary hepatocytes from murine specimens. Acquired and reassembled the equipment in the lab and introduced the technique of transfecting primary hepatocytes with minicircle DNA.• Relationships & Partnerships: Drew upon the insights and capabilities of scientists within the lab, in addition to external partner laboratories equipped to perform other necessary assays.

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  Seattle Biomedical Research Institute

  • Lab Technician II

    • Jun 2007 - Aug 2008

    Industry Research Context:• Joined this organization shortly after completing Bachelor’s Degree, to research the mechanisms of death in the parasite Trypanosoma brucei after exposure to genetic knockdowns or drugs.• Earned a privileged opportunity from the Principal Investigator to spearhead from-scratch studies using flow cytometry to examine the cellular processes of T. brucei and successfully generated data for a first author paper.Notable Contributions:• Growth & Influence: Embraced the challenge to swiftly learn and grow in this industry-focused lab experience, implemented new flow cytometry assays not before applied in this lab.• Unified Momentum and deadline implementation: Capitalized on mentorship and guidance from senior scientists, while offering a self-motivated and positive determination to finish the project in the established timeframe.

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  VLST Corp

  • Lab Assistant

    • Aug 2004 - Jun 2007

    Industry Research Context:• Over the course of this industry role completed concurrently to Bachelor’s education, earned valuable experience applying cell culturing and flow cytometry assay techniques within a quickly-growing biotechnology company.

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  University of Washington

  • David Kimelman Lab

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    • Jan 2006 - Jan 2007
    • David Kimelman Lab

    • I worked on a project involving the WNT signaling pathway• I created several different mutant proteins, designed shRNA’s, and performed qPCR