Experience

Accent Therapeutics, Inc.

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Scientist

  • Jun 2023 - Present

  United States

• Senior Scientist

  • Dec 2021 - Jun 2023

  Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

• Scientist

  • Apr 2020 - Dec 2021



Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

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

• Res. Scientist/ Lab Manager

  • Jul 2016 - Apr 2020

  Greater Boston Area My responsibilities in the Toker's Lab include overseeing the daily operations of the lab, training/managing students and running research projects. I have demonstrated adaptability in the working environment, becoming proficient in a wide range of roles as required to support scientific goals, as well as management of projects, personnel, and operations of the laboratory. My research focuses on understanding how oncogenic cell signaling pathways alter and reprogram breast cancer metabolic… Show more My responsibilities in the Toker's Lab include overseeing the daily operations of the lab, training/managing students and running research projects. I have demonstrated adaptability in the working environment, becoming proficient in a wide range of roles as required to support scientific goals, as well as management of projects, personnel, and operations of the laboratory. My research focuses on understanding how oncogenic cell signaling pathways alter and reprogram breast cancer metabolic properties, with the ultimate goal to identify vulnerabilities that can be targeted by metabolic drugs or novel drug combinations. o Managing a multifaceted approach to study N-Glycosylation in collaboration with the HMS Center for Glycoscience. - Manipulation of the expression of glycosyltransferases (loss of function by shRNA or CRISPR, and modulation by kinases small molecules inhibitors) and analysis of downstream changes in glycoproteins through glycan profiling and lectin staining. - Cell-based phenotypic analyses related to glycosyltransferase manipulation (e.g. proliferation and viability assays; UPR and ER stress) • Contributed to the identification of the antiporter xCT as new target of oncogenic PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. o Designed and executed experiments to characterize xCT post-translational regulation and its role in methionine dependency in breast cancer cells. o Defined the structural elements of post-translational modification of xCT by AKT. o Developed novel protocols for the isolation of the xC- complex to use in biochemical assays. o Engineered key cell lines which allowed us to uncover novel biology using activity (cystine uptake/glutamate release) and functional assays (proliferation and viability).

• Research Fellow

  • Jun 2009 - Jun 2016

  My research focused on cancer stem cells, specifically on their role in the hepatocellular tumor biology, progression and recurrence after radio/chemotherapy. Cancer stem cells are considered to be responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis formation. Furthermore, this sub-population of cancer cells show to be mostly resistant to common anti cancer therapy, including radio and chemotherapy. My work lead to the characterization of a novel mechanism of tumor resistance mediated by cancer… Show more My research focused on cancer stem cells, specifically on their role in the hepatocellular tumor biology, progression and recurrence after radio/chemotherapy. Cancer stem cells are considered to be responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis formation. Furthermore, this sub-population of cancer cells show to be mostly resistant to common anti cancer therapy, including radio and chemotherapy. My work lead to the characterization of a novel mechanism of tumor resistance mediated by cancer stem cells and allowed the identification proteins involved in the process for eventual drug targeting. In this context, I've also characterized CSCs-derived exosomes and studied their role in the tumor ecosystem. • Applied cell based and biochemical techniques to identify relevant stemness regulatory pathways in hepatoma and colorectal Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and addressed their role in radio and chemotherapy-induced resistance. • Validated therapeutic target using kinase inhibitors and RNAi technology. • Developed protocols for 3D-CSC selection/enrichment. • Developed in vitro assays for CSC radiation & drug sensitivity. • Identified mechanism of radiation/chemotherapy induced resistance in GI cancers. • Established functional in vitro assay to elucidate the functions of CSCs-derived exosomes in tumorigenesis. • Management/ Training/ Mentorship o Managed collaborative projects with outside laboratories. -Monitored activity during study, analyzed data, and communicated results as needed to management o Project leader for Cancer Stem Cells project, including mentoring and supervision of international PhD students and junior post-docs. Provided assistance with experimental design, data interpretation and manuscript writing. o Trained and mentored undergraduate students. Daily mentorship for 3 months each year. o Reagent and equipment price negotiations and acquisitions.



Brigham and Women's Hospital

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

• Research fellow

  • Mar 2008 - Jun 2009

  • Uncovered a new role of post-transcriptional regulation in normal and defective erythropoiesis, with specific focus on Myelodysplastic Syndrome blood cancer. • Discovered and characterized cytoplasmic regulatory mRNP aggregates (Stress Granules) in human and mouse hematopoietic CD34+bone marrow stem cells. • Identified a novel role for Stress Granules in alpha-globin regulation.