Experience

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

• United States
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Director, Pharmacology

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  San Diego County, California, United States

• Director, Pharmacology

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  San Diego, California, United States

• Associate Director, Pharmacology

  • Oct 2019 - Present

  San Diego Executed the validation, nomination, and progression of drug discovery pipeline programs in the metabolic and endocrine disorders through direct project champion roles and leadership of project champion personnel. • Collaborated with other parts of the Viking drug discovery organization including CMC, business, and clinical development to efficiently progress early-stage programs through to IND-enabling studies. • Expert in the design, implementation, and management of non GLP and GLP… Show more Executed the validation, nomination, and progression of drug discovery pipeline programs in the metabolic and endocrine disorders through direct project champion roles and leadership of project champion personnel. • Collaborated with other parts of the Viking drug discovery organization including CMC, business, and clinical development to efficiently progress early-stage programs through to IND-enabling studies. • Expert in the design, implementation, and management of non GLP and GLP studies in accordance with current industry standards for drug candidates in support of clinical stage programs. • Achieved the evaluation, establishment, and integration of external programs into the research pipeline in line with established strategic focus areas. • Supported the business development team to monitor the latest developments in metabolic and endocrine disorders drug development and assist in diligence activities on opportunities for potential partnerships. • Accomplished in identifying and selecting high quality CROs for the conduct of nonclinical studies. Supervised cross-functional project teams and working in a virtual environment including CROs and academic collaborations. • Provided oversight on scientific management of preclinical pharmacology, safety, and PK/PD studies supporting early drug development. • Effectively communicated with the senior management, development teams, and CROs.



Viridos

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Lead Scientist in Therapeutics and In Vivo Pharmacology, Translational Biology

  • 2017 - 2019

  RNA Medicines (Acquired by J&J) Established the Therapeutics team and multiyear development strategy for the group. Translated strategic goals to actionable initiatives to support upcoming clinical trials. • Led the projects from early discovery to development phases. Identified, established and ensured the success of key external collaborations targeting and developing novel RNA-based cancer vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and cytokines for diseases ranging from genetic disorders to cancer. • Proposed preclinical… Show more Established the Therapeutics team and multiyear development strategy for the group. Translated strategic goals to actionable initiatives to support upcoming clinical trials. • Led the projects from early discovery to development phases. Identified, established and ensured the success of key external collaborations targeting and developing novel RNA-based cancer vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and cytokines for diseases ranging from genetic disorders to cancer. • Proposed preclinical candidates and provided expert input to their evaluations from mechanism of action to enabling studies toward IND submission in a highly matrixed environment. Contributed expertly to patent and regulatory filing. • Played a key role in translational research activities in partnership with Virology, Molecular Biology and Immunology teams, and expert external groups. Participated in evaluation of targets and projects to continually refresh the drug discovery pipeline and progress the platform mechanism and proof of concept. • Led in vivo pharmacology team to advanced therapeutic programs through preclinical studies and to expand RNA-based technology platforms to new indications. Evaluated, established, internalized and characterized disease models to enable preclinical pharmacology studies. Designed, directed, executed, and analyzed in vivo studies for internal and external collaborations. • Worked concurrently on several complex projects, met aggressive deadlines, and adjusted priorities rapidly as situation demands. Identified, initiated, and managed productive collaborations with scientific leaders, academic partners, CROs and biotechnology companies. • Managed five direct reports at various levels. Conducted semiannual performance reviews, interviewed applicants, and performed succession of planning for growth. Presented results to internal and external audiences including leadership team, partnership organizations and scientific conferences. Show less



Tocagen Inc.

• Research Scientist II at Translational Research

  • 2015 - 2017

  Greater San Diego Area

• Research Scientist I at Cancer Biology

  • 2013 - 2015

  San Diego, California Provided leadership and expertise in the areas of cancer biology and immuno-oncology, prepared preclinical data packages to support Phase I and II clinical trials and involved in Phase I clinical trials. • Evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of experimental immunotherapeutic treatment approaches and their effect on immune response in various primary and metastatic tumor models. • Lead scientist in preclinical studies. Designed and conducted in vitro and in vivo studies for testing of… Show more Provided leadership and expertise in the areas of cancer biology and immuno-oncology, prepared preclinical data packages to support Phase I and II clinical trials and involved in Phase I clinical trials. • Evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of experimental immunotherapeutic treatment approaches and their effect on immune response in various primary and metastatic tumor models. • Lead scientist in preclinical studies. Designed and conducted in vitro and in vivo studies for testing of small compounds and co-administered agents to improve retroviral vector delivery, replication and efficacy while maintaining safety. Design and interpret bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and toxicity studies for preclinical development. • Characterized tumor microenvironment by examining cell surface markers and intracellular proteins and cytokines. • Heavily involved in Phase I clinical trials by coordinating with pathologists and clinical coordinators for tumor sample collections at different clinical sites. • Designed and executed strategy and plan for further development of the existing group. Managed two direct reports and two additional dotted line reports at various levels to ensure program efficiency. Planed, supervised, multitasked and directed projects to completion. Communicated program objectives to cross-functional teams. • Participated in due diligence assignments, preparation of investigators’ brochures, reports for clinical site communications and IND/NDA submissions. Generated and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Work Instructions (WI), and Animal Care and Use Procedures (ACUP). • Demonstrated a broad knowledge of the field of virus-based immunotherapy of cancer, as evidenced by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications. Presented data at company meetings and scientific conferences.



Cedars-Sinai

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Scientist

  • 2011 - 2012

  Evaluated the possible therapeutic role of STAT3/5 in castrate-resistant prostate cancer using immunological and pharmacological methods. • Designed and performed research in target discovery and validation. Characterized a double-knockout transgenic mouse model to study STK4/Hippo pathway during prostate cancer progression. • Provided mentorship for postdoctoral fellows and training for research associates and fellows in project development, experimental design and data analysis.

• Postdoctoral Researcher

  • 2008 - 2011

  Key scientist in a multidisciplinary functional group. Provided leadership and technical expertise for assay development to determine efficacy and safety profile of various pro-apoptotic adenoviruses to support Phase I clinical trial for Glioblastoma patients. • Developed ex-vivo tumor models derived from glioma patients to identify immunologic effects of adenovirus-based immunotherapy. Identified therapeutic efficacy of conditional cytotoxic adenovirus treatment in murine glioma models… Show more Key scientist in a multidisciplinary functional group. Provided leadership and technical expertise for assay development to determine efficacy and safety profile of various pro-apoptotic adenoviruses to support Phase I clinical trial for Glioblastoma patients. • Developed ex-vivo tumor models derived from glioma patients to identify immunologic effects of adenovirus-based immunotherapy. Identified therapeutic efficacy of conditional cytotoxic adenovirus treatment in murine glioma models with concomitant increase in the levels of HMGB1 as a noninvasive biomarker. • Identified the role of role of T-cell functions as a critical therapeutic target to overcome immune evasion and enhance therapeutic efficacy; B and plasmacytoid dendritic cells as a new therapeutic target. Assessed the immunosuppressive roles of MDSC populations in tumor microenvironment during tumor progression in orthotopic glioma models. • Trained and mentored Ph.D. students and volunteers to design and execute experiments using current molecular biology and cell culture techniques in support of research.



The Forsyth Institute

• United States
• Research Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Postdoctoral Researcher

  • 2006 - 2008

  Designed and executed key experiments to study interactions between tumor and surrounding cells in breast cancer. Identified the role of cytokines produced by tumor cells in bone metastasis. Determined protective effect of Osteopontin (OPN) on polymicrobial infection and its potential therapeutic role in polymicrobial infections. • Recruited and mentored volunteers, and supervised their projects for annual Summer Research Program.



Purdue University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Associate

  • 1996 - 2001

  Identified the cancer target protein with NADH Oxidase activity from the external surface of plasma membranes of cancer cells from cancer patients.



The Ohio State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • 1996 - 1996

  Characterized race-specific markers for Xanthimonas campestris and detection of Aster Yellows by rep-PCR analysis



Auburn University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Visiting Scientist

  • May 1994 - May 1995

  Independently designed and executed experiments to characterize PCR-based DAF markers to identify Fusarium oxysporum f. sp melonis races



Guden for Education

• United Kingdom
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Assistant

  • 1994 - 1995

  Scaled up DNA isolation from fungi and optimized PCR reactions