Experience

Celcuity

• United States
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Scientist

  • Apr 2019 - Present

  Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States



Old Dominion University Research Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant

  • Aug 2013 - 2018

  Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Thesis / Research Assistant KEY CONTRIBUTIONS Independently developed & tested a 3D bioprinter with single-cell print resolution using ‘off the shelf’ components. Root cause analysis (RCA) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA): Defined and replicated known process requirements in computer simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics & SolidWorks) to adjust part schematics to prevent failure modes. Articulated data from computational… Show more Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Thesis / Research Assistant KEY CONTRIBUTIONS Independently developed & tested a 3D bioprinter with single-cell print resolution using ‘off the shelf’ components. Root cause analysis (RCA) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA): Defined and replicated known process requirements in computer simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics & SolidWorks) to adjust part schematics to prevent failure modes. Articulated data from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations & laboratory tests to invent a cell-dispensing system that minimized the applied extrusion force & shear force on cell membranes. Scripted concepts from finite element analysis (FEM), distributed loading, & fracture mechanics to optimize robotic cell-dispensing using object-oriented programming (OOP) in C/C++, python, and MATLAB. Exacted experimental protocols to investigate & gather data related to processing parameters & cell viability using fluorescence spectrophotometry and RT-PCR. Established bioprinting methods to standardize 3D cell culture models of human epithelial organoids & tumoroids, including the ability to direct large-scale epithelial structures using human-derived bio-scaffolds. Developed multicellular in vitro models of breast cancer to study microenvironmental cues related to tumor growth, suppression, and promotion. Fine-tuned immunohistochemical methods & fluorescent microscopy procedures to assess cell-origin and the distribution/localization of cancer cell biomarkers, including cell adhesion complexes (cadherins, β-catenin), gap junction proteins (connexins), and planar-cell-polarity complexes. Invented high-throughput biofabrication-protocols for the directed-differentiation of iPSC cell-constructs. Extended machine capabilities by upgrading hardware & firmware to deliver picosecond pulsed electric fields for targeted manipulation of proliferation and lineage specific gene expression in neural stem cells. Show less



Old Dominion University, College of Chemistry

• Teaching Assistant, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory

  • Jan 2016 - May 2016

  Norfolk, Virginia Old Dominion University, College of Chemistry Teaching Assistant, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory



Old Dominion University, College of Engineering and Technology

• Teaching Assistant, Entrepreneurial Education

  • May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Norfolk, Virginia Teaching Assistant, Entrepreneurial Education Developed course materials and assignments for entrepreneurial education for engineering students.



Old Dominion University

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Teaching Assistant, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory

  • Aug 2014 - Dec 2014

  Norfolk, Virginia Old Dominion University, College of Chemistry Teaching Assistant, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory



LifeNet Health

• United States
• Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Musculoskeletal Division Technician

  • 2011 - 2013

  Norfolk, Virginia Area Responsible for planning and manufacturing surgical allografts from human tissue donors in an FDA regulated, ISO-13485 certified medical device and organ procurement organization. Constructed biomedical implants using a 4 axis, CNC router for clients including K2M, Zimmer Biomet and Stryker. Performed quality assessments of biomedical implants for sports medicine, spine, oral and maxillofacial surgery applications. Aided in the selection of modern technologies and equipment to increase… Show more Responsible for planning and manufacturing surgical allografts from human tissue donors in an FDA regulated, ISO-13485 certified medical device and organ procurement organization. Constructed biomedical implants using a 4 axis, CNC router for clients including K2M, Zimmer Biomet and Stryker. Performed quality assessments of biomedical implants for sports medicine, spine, oral and maxillofacial surgery applications. Aided in the selection of modern technologies and equipment to increase reliability and operating performance. Collected and analyzed data to support the development of R&D projects and new products, including Readigraft® BLX demineralized bone matrix fibers (DBM). Identified process improvements, such as the use of pre-filled syringes to minimize risk and significant cost savings through reusable centrifugation sleeves. Initialized actions to resolve production workflow issues by establishing support roles to perform tasks related to cleanroom setup. Demonstrated a commitment to excellence and quality by achieving an unsurpassed graft acceptance rate >75% for Condrofix® Osteochondral Allografts. Subject matter expert in Condrofix® Osteochondral Allografts, Flexigraft® and the osteobiologic system Readigraft® BLX demineralized bone matrix fibers (DBM). Show less



Hampden-Sydney College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Neuroscience Research Assistant

  • Aug 2008 - May 2009

  Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Neuroscience research assistant working under Dr. Daniel Weese. I was fascinated with his work on disrupting memory “reconsolidation” through the combined use of pergolide and ondansetron. While there, I also became aware of the power of molecular dynamics simulations for drug discovery and design. During my tenure, my research involved animal behavioral training, programming an apparatus to monitor rodent behavior (rodent visual discrimination task), neurosurgical implantation of bi-lateral… Show more Neuroscience research assistant working under Dr. Daniel Weese. I was fascinated with his work on disrupting memory “reconsolidation” through the combined use of pergolide and ondansetron. While there, I also became aware of the power of molecular dynamics simulations for drug discovery and design. During my tenure, my research involved animal behavioral training, programming an apparatus to monitor rodent behavior (rodent visual discrimination task), neurosurgical implantation of bi-lateral guide cannulas for brain region-specific drug administration, as well as histological analysis using transcardial perfusion. My honors thesis used these techniques to investigate the role of a novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (PNU-120596) in the prefrontal cortex.

• Summer Internship, Astronomy Observatory

  • May 2008 - Jul 2008

  Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Installed a new 17 inch Ritchey-Critien telescope and mount from Planewave Optics. Calibrated the observatory with the SkyNet telescope control system.



Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service

• United States
• Recreational Facilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Virginia Beach Oceanfront Lifeguard

  • 2005 - 2009