Scientific Consultant

• Aug 2023 - Present

Principal Scientist

• Mar 2023 - Aug 2023

Roles 🟢Preclinical: Pharmacology-Toxicology Lead 🔹Managed preclinical studies for multiple AAV gene therapy programs, which included both human and animal health programs targeting aging, cardiac and metabolic indications. 🔹Acted as point of contact for academic collaborators and CROs for POC, dose finding and candidate selection studies in small and large animals models. 🔹 Presented findings of lead candidate at ASGCT (2023). 🔹Worked closely with assay and product… Show more Roles 🟢Preclinical: Pharmacology-Toxicology Lead 🔹Managed preclinical studies for multiple AAV gene therapy programs, which included both human and animal health programs targeting aging, cardiac and metabolic indications. 🔹Acted as point of contact for academic collaborators and CROs for POC, dose finding and candidate selection studies in small and large animals models. 🔹 Presented findings of lead candidate at ASGCT (2023). 🔹Worked closely with assay and product development on generation & optimization of custom assays and drug product manufacturability. 🟢Vector Optimization / Drug Development Lead 🔹Led a team to design, construct & optimize AAV GIO plasmid panels and transgene (protein engineering of custom proteins) for screening. 🔹Design and execution of in vitro and vivo candidate selection studies. 🔹Worked closely with/and participated in process development to determine manufacturability of both GIO plasmid and final AAV Drug Product (DP). In addition, assisted in optimization for scale up at external vendors. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Point of contact/PI for preclinical studies 📍Author and finalize study synopses for transnational studies 📍Vector Optimization (Transcriptional Elements and mRNA) 📍Protein & Antibody (FC Fusion) Engineering 📍Manage team of SRAs and co-manage PhD level Scientists 📍Study site management 📍IP management (work with legal team on patent submission) 📍Present findings and progress to leadership at project meetins 📍Analysis and organization of large preclinical datasets 🔐 Technical Skills: 🔑 Vector Optimization and Synthesis (multiple methods) 🔑 Team Management and Motivation 🔑 Plasmid and AAV Production 🔑 Cell culture (transfection, transduction and potency/reporter assay) 🔑 Western blot, ELISA, qPCR 🔑 Flow Cytometry 🔑 Tissue and blood processing (protein, DNA and RNA) 🔑 Antibody tittering (ie AAV NAb Assay) 🔑 CRO Management 🔑 FDA Document Preparation

Senior Scientist ll

• Nov 2022 - Feb 2023

Senior Scientist l

• Mar 2022 - Oct 2022

Research Fellow

• Apr 2020 - Feb 2022

Laboratory of Eric Kandel 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Developed new AAV and lentiviral tools to study the role of intercellular RNA trafficking by the functional prion CPEB3 and examined its impact on synaptic plasticity and memory maintenance in vito and in vivo. 🔹Used advanced viral tools and behavioral tasks to study the formation of odor-based memories. 📌This project earned a 3-year NIH Training Award ‘Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, F32’ 🔹 Created novel viral… Show more Laboratory of Eric Kandel 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Developed new AAV and lentiviral tools to study the role of intercellular RNA trafficking by the functional prion CPEB3 and examined its impact on synaptic plasticity and memory maintenance in vito and in vivo. 🔹Used advanced viral tools and behavioral tasks to study the formation of odor-based memories. 📌This project earned a 3-year NIH Training Award ‘Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, F32’ 🔹 Created novel viral tools for gene knockdown to study cell type specific effects on the formation social memories. 🔹 Studied the effects of memory strength and aging on neuronal activation in the hippocampus using RNAseq and drug inducible transgenic mice. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Work independently and with collaborators to design molecular biology and behavioral experiments 📍Cloning and testing of novel molecular tools 📍Work with domestic and Interational (China) CROs to for validation experiments and viral production 📍Maintain independent IACUC protocol and mouse colony 📍Write grants and manuscripts 📍Directly oversee and manage students and full-time technicians 📍Serve as the lab’s safety liaison/authority 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Molecular Cloning 🔑 Gene Editing, CRISPR/Cas 🔑 RNAi: shRNA, miRNA, siRNA 🔑 AAV & Lentiviral Production 🔑 Cell culture (iPSC differentiation, cell lines and neuronal cultures) 🔑 PCR, qPCR, RTPCR 🔑 Western blot, SDS-PAGE, Gel Staining 🔑 RNA Biology and Sequencing 🔑 Flow Cytometry 🔑 Immunohistochemistry & in situ Hybridization 🔑 Confocal Imaging 🔑 Rodent transcardial perfusion & Tissue harvesting 🔑 Animal Behavior 🔑 Animal stereotaxic surgery 🔑 Intracranial, tail vein and retro-orbital injection of AAV and nanoparticles 🔑 People Management 🔑 Commercial and financial acumen 🔑 Ability to work autonomously 🔑 Highly collaborative across fields 🔑 Startup Management Show less Laboratory of Eric Kandel 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Developed new AAV and lentiviral tools to study the role of intercellular RNA trafficking by the functional prion CPEB3 and examined its impact on synaptic plasticity and memory maintenance in vito and in vivo. 🔹Used advanced viral tools and behavioral tasks to study the formation of odor-based memories. 📌This project earned a 3-year NIH Training Award ‘Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, F32’ 🔹 Created novel viral… Show more Laboratory of Eric Kandel 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Developed new AAV and lentiviral tools to study the role of intercellular RNA trafficking by the functional prion CPEB3 and examined its impact on synaptic plasticity and memory maintenance in vito and in vivo. 🔹Used advanced viral tools and behavioral tasks to study the formation of odor-based memories. 📌This project earned a 3-year NIH Training Award ‘Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, F32’ 🔹 Created novel viral tools for gene knockdown to study cell type specific effects on the formation social memories. 🔹 Studied the effects of memory strength and aging on neuronal activation in the hippocampus using RNAseq and drug inducible transgenic mice. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Work independently and with collaborators to design molecular biology and behavioral experiments 📍Cloning and testing of novel molecular tools 📍Work with domestic and Interational (China) CROs to for validation experiments and viral production 📍Maintain independent IACUC protocol and mouse colony 📍Write grants and manuscripts 📍Directly oversee and manage students and full-time technicians 📍Serve as the lab’s safety liaison/authority 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Molecular Cloning 🔑 Gene Editing, CRISPR/Cas 🔑 RNAi: shRNA, miRNA, siRNA 🔑 AAV & Lentiviral Production 🔑 Cell culture (iPSC differentiation, cell lines and neuronal cultures) 🔑 PCR, qPCR, RTPCR 🔑 Western blot, SDS-PAGE, Gel Staining 🔑 RNA Biology and Sequencing 🔑 Flow Cytometry 🔑 Immunohistochemistry & in situ Hybridization 🔑 Confocal Imaging 🔑 Rodent transcardial perfusion & Tissue harvesting 🔑 Animal Behavior 🔑 Animal stereotaxic surgery 🔑 Intracranial, tail vein and retro-orbital injection of AAV and nanoparticles 🔑 People Management 🔑 Commercial and financial acumen 🔑 Ability to work autonomously 🔑 Highly collaborative across fields 🔑 Startup Management Show less

Research Associate

• Sep 2018 - Mar 2020

Laboratory of Eric Kandel **see Columbia University for more information** Laboratory of Eric Kandel **see Columbia University for more information**

PHD Researcher

• 2013 - 2018

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Jonathan Ploski) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Toxic effects of shRNAs in vivo CNS delivery of AAV & Expression Cassette/Promoter engineering for small RNA expression. 🔹AAV biology/capsid structure influence on spread and transduction of specific cell types in the mammalian brain. Development and testing of cell type specific promoters. 🔹 Construction of inducible CRISPR/Cas AAV systems for in vivo genome editing (gRNA and spCas9 and… Show more Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Jonathan Ploski) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Toxic effects of shRNAs in vivo CNS delivery of AAV & Expression Cassette/Promoter engineering for small RNA expression. 🔹AAV biology/capsid structure influence on spread and transduction of specific cell types in the mammalian brain. Development and testing of cell type specific promoters. 🔹 Construction of inducible CRISPR/Cas AAV systems for in vivo genome editing (gRNA and spCas9 and saCas9 efficiency). 🔹 Studied RNA trafficking within hippocampal dendrites following neuronal stimulation using transcriptomics to identify novel targets. 🔹 Preclinical models of neurological disorders (PTSD and Addiction) using pharmacological and gene therapy approaches to ameliorate psychiatric symptoms with manipulation of ion channels, E3 ubiquitin ligases and endogenous RNA editing pathways. 📌‘Best Dissertation in Brain Sciences Award’ 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍 Preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Cloning and testing of novel molecular tools 📍Large scale production and QC of AAV and Lentivirus of in vivo application 📍Design molecular biology and behavioral experiments 📍SOP development 📍Training of 30+ students and technicians in molecular biology and behavioral assays. 📍 Transgenic Colony Management 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Molecular Cloning 🔑 Gene Editing, CRISPR/Cas 🔑 RNAi: shRNA, miRNA, siRNA 🔑 AAV & Lentiviral Production 🔑 Gene Therapy 🔑 Cell culture (cell lines and neuronal culturing) 🔑 PCR, qPCR, RTPCR 🔑 Western blot, SDS-PAGE, Gel Staining 🔑 Immunohistochemistry & in situ Hybridization 🔑 Confocal Imaging 🔑 Image Quantification 🔑 Rodent Behavior 🔑 Rodent stereotaxic surgery 🔑 Rodent transcardial perfusion 🔑 Laser microdissection 🔑 People Management 🔑 Commercial and financial acumen 🔑 Ability to work independently 🔑 Highly collaborative across fields 🔑 Grant and manuscript preparation Show less Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Jonathan Ploski) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Toxic effects of shRNAs in vivo CNS delivery of AAV & Expression Cassette/Promoter engineering for small RNA expression. 🔹AAV biology/capsid structure influence on spread and transduction of specific cell types in the mammalian brain. Development and testing of cell type specific promoters. 🔹 Construction of inducible CRISPR/Cas AAV systems for in vivo genome editing (gRNA and spCas9 and… Show more Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Jonathan Ploski) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Toxic effects of shRNAs in vivo CNS delivery of AAV & Expression Cassette/Promoter engineering for small RNA expression. 🔹AAV biology/capsid structure influence on spread and transduction of specific cell types in the mammalian brain. Development and testing of cell type specific promoters. 🔹 Construction of inducible CRISPR/Cas AAV systems for in vivo genome editing (gRNA and spCas9 and saCas9 efficiency). 🔹 Studied RNA trafficking within hippocampal dendrites following neuronal stimulation using transcriptomics to identify novel targets. 🔹 Preclinical models of neurological disorders (PTSD and Addiction) using pharmacological and gene therapy approaches to ameliorate psychiatric symptoms with manipulation of ion channels, E3 ubiquitin ligases and endogenous RNA editing pathways. 📌‘Best Dissertation in Brain Sciences Award’ 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍 Preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Cloning and testing of novel molecular tools 📍Large scale production and QC of AAV and Lentivirus of in vivo application 📍Design molecular biology and behavioral experiments 📍SOP development 📍Training of 30+ students and technicians in molecular biology and behavioral assays. 📍 Transgenic Colony Management 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Molecular Cloning 🔑 Gene Editing, CRISPR/Cas 🔑 RNAi: shRNA, miRNA, siRNA 🔑 AAV & Lentiviral Production 🔑 Gene Therapy 🔑 Cell culture (cell lines and neuronal culturing) 🔑 PCR, qPCR, RTPCR 🔑 Western blot, SDS-PAGE, Gel Staining 🔑 Immunohistochemistry & in situ Hybridization 🔑 Confocal Imaging 🔑 Image Quantification 🔑 Rodent Behavior 🔑 Rodent stereotaxic surgery 🔑 Rodent transcardial perfusion 🔑 Laser microdissection 🔑 People Management 🔑 Commercial and financial acumen 🔑 Ability to work independently 🔑 Highly collaborative across fields 🔑 Grant and manuscript preparation Show less

Research Assistant

• 2011 - 2013

Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (Mentor: Douglas C. Wallace) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Behavioral and molecular phenotypes of pre-clinical animal models of neurodegeneration (Parkinson’s & Alzheimer's Disease) containing metabolic dysfunction causing mtDNA and nDNA mutations. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Breeding of preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Management of massive transgenic mouse colony (1000+ cages & 15+ strains) across multiple… Show more Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (Mentor: Douglas C. Wallace) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Behavioral and molecular phenotypes of pre-clinical animal models of neurodegeneration (Parkinson’s & Alzheimer's Disease) containing metabolic dysfunction causing mtDNA and nDNA mutations. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Breeding of preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Management of massive transgenic mouse colony (1000+ cages & 15+ strains) across multiple facilities on CHOP and UPenn medical campus. 📍Keep flawless records of animal breeding and genotyping to maintain mouse linage 📍Plan experiments with postdocs and senior scientists to meet demand of mutant animals 📍Run large scale animal behavioral assays to phenotype mouse models 📍Train undergraduate students and other technicians on mouse genotyping and record keeping. 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Mouse colony management 🔑 Mouse genetics 🔑 PCR and Gel Electrophoresis 🔑 Sanger sequencing and analysis 🔑 Transcardial perfusion, autopsy & tissue harvesting of animal models 🔑 Drug delivery: tail vein and intraperitoneal injection 🔑 Behavioral apparatus construction 🔑 Data management 🔑 People management 🔑 Ability to work independently Show less Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (Mentor: Douglas C. Wallace) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Behavioral and molecular phenotypes of pre-clinical animal models of neurodegeneration (Parkinson’s & Alzheimer's Disease) containing metabolic dysfunction causing mtDNA and nDNA mutations. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Breeding of preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Management of massive transgenic mouse colony (1000+ cages & 15+ strains) across multiple… Show more Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (Mentor: Douglas C. Wallace) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Behavioral and molecular phenotypes of pre-clinical animal models of neurodegeneration (Parkinson’s & Alzheimer's Disease) containing metabolic dysfunction causing mtDNA and nDNA mutations. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Breeding of preclinical models of neurological disorders 📍Management of massive transgenic mouse colony (1000+ cages & 15+ strains) across multiple facilities on CHOP and UPenn medical campus. 📍Keep flawless records of animal breeding and genotyping to maintain mouse linage 📍Plan experiments with postdocs and senior scientists to meet demand of mutant animals 📍Run large scale animal behavioral assays to phenotype mouse models 📍Train undergraduate students and other technicians on mouse genotyping and record keeping. 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Mouse colony management 🔑 Mouse genetics 🔑 PCR and Gel Electrophoresis 🔑 Sanger sequencing and analysis 🔑 Transcardial perfusion, autopsy & tissue harvesting of animal models 🔑 Drug delivery: tail vein and intraperitoneal injection 🔑 Behavioral apparatus construction 🔑 Data management 🔑 People management 🔑 Ability to work independently Show less

Research Assistant

• Dec 2009 - Sep 2011

Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Diana S. Woodruff-Pak) 🟢 Projects: 🔹Effects of aging, neurodegeneration on learning and memory and motor tasks in mice and rabbits. 🔹Impact of chronic and acute exercise stress on corticosterone signaling and memory formation across sex. 📌Project led to 3 major conference posters and earned a ‘Top Poster Award’ 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Coordinate and execute large behavioral assay panel with other research… Show more Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (Mentor: Diana S. Woodruff-Pak) 🟢 Projects: 🔹Effects of aging, neurodegeneration on learning and memory and motor tasks in mice and rabbits. 🔹Impact of chronic and acute exercise stress on corticosterone signaling and memory formation across sex. 📌Project led to 3 major conference posters and earned a ‘Top Poster Award’ 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Coordinate and execute large behavioral assay panel with other research technicians and graduate students 📍Long-term collections of fecal samples for steroid analysis 📍Extraction of steroids from fecal samples, followed by analysis with ELISA 📍Assist with breeding of New Zealand White Rabbits 📍Assist with transcranial perfusion of rabbits and mice 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Animal Behavior (Fear Conditioning, Morris Water Maze, Barnes Maze Eye-blink Conditioning, Rotarod, Grip Strength Task) 🔑 Large Animal Breeding 🔑 Steroid Purification 🔑 ELISA 🔑 Histology and Imaging 🔑 Problem solving and troubleshooting 🔑 Project Management 🔑 Data management and analysis 🔑 People management 🔑 Ability to work independently

Research Assistant

• May 2010 - Jul 2011

Neurobiological Investigations of Learning and Addiction Lab (Mentor: Tomas J. Gould) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Effects of nicotine administration of hippocampal and amygdala dependent learning in mice lacking nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit components. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Management of mouse colony (5+ mutant strains) 📍Maintain breeding and genotyping records from animal colony 📍Preparation and administration drug/s for injection prior to… Show more Neurobiological Investigations of Learning and Addiction Lab (Mentor: Tomas J. Gould) 🟢 Projects: 🔹 Effects of nicotine administration of hippocampal and amygdala dependent learning in mice lacking nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit components. 👉🏿 Job Responsibilities: 📍Management of mouse colony (5+ mutant strains) 📍Maintain breeding and genotyping records from animal colony 📍Preparation and administration drug/s for injection prior to behavioral assays 🔐 Technical & Transferable Skills: 🔑 Animal Behavior (Fear Conditioning) 🔑 Transgenic mouse colony management 🔑 Genomic DNA purification, PCR & Gel Electrophoresis 🔑 Histology and Imaging 🔑 Problem solving and troubleshooting 🔑 Project Management 🔑 Data management and analysis