Experience

Sonata Therapeutics

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President Oncology Research

  • Oct 2022 - Mar 2023

  Watertown, Massachusetts, United States Supported target biology and drug discovery/development efforts for a number of portfolio programs related to a diverse array of first-in-class oncology targets and indications. •Utilized genomics and functional genomics datasets, deep biological interrogation and innovative platforms to help validate oncology targets, provided guidance on which therapeutic modality will be most effective at modulating target function, and ultimately in assembling robust preclinical data packages to support… Show more Supported target biology and drug discovery/development efforts for a number of portfolio programs related to a diverse array of first-in-class oncology targets and indications. •Utilized genomics and functional genomics datasets, deep biological interrogation and innovative platforms to help validate oncology targets, provided guidance on which therapeutic modality will be most effective at modulating target function, and ultimately in assembling robust preclinical data packages to support clinical introduction •Constantly surveyed the treatment and competitive landscapes to help guide clinical development strategies for first-in-class therapeutics Show less



H3 Biomedicine

• Executive Director, Head of Tumor Biology

  • May 2021 - Sep 2022

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States I led a group of 10 scientists to support 8 preclinical and clinical stage portfolio programs. As a standing member of the Research Leadership Team, I continue to provide scientific and strategic directions to Project Teams to ensure achievement of key scientific and corporate milestones.

• Director, Head of Lineage Biology and Oncometabolism

  • Oct 2018 - Apr 2021

  H3 Biomedicine, Cambridge, MA As Director and Head of Lineage Biology and Oncometabolism, my team worked coordinately to identify, validate and develop therapeutics directed against several lineage and metabolic targets. My team, working collaboratively with H3 members and academic partners, continued to support translational (and reverse translational) activities to inform further development of the first-in-class covalent ER-alpha inhibitor H3B-6545, and successfully generated a comprehensive data package to support… Show more As Director and Head of Lineage Biology and Oncometabolism, my team worked coordinately to identify, validate and develop therapeutics directed against several lineage and metabolic targets. My team, working collaboratively with H3 members and academic partners, continued to support translational (and reverse translational) activities to inform further development of the first-in-class covalent ER-alpha inhibitor H3B-6545, and successfully generated a comprehensive data package to support nomination of clinical candidate for a first-in-class target in bladder cancer. As a Scientific Leadership Team member, I worked closely with various cross-functional teams to provide scientific and strategic guidance.

• Associate Director, Head of Lineage Biology and Oncometabolism

  • May 2018 - Sep 2018

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States As Associate Director, Head of Lineage Biology and Oncometabolism, and as a Scientific Leadership Team member, I served as the Project Team Lead on two high profile programs (including H3B-6545), and provided scientific and strategic directions to scientists spanning multiple functional areas. By facilitating collaborations and active discussions, my team achieved all anticipated scientific and corporate milestones in FY18.

• Senior Investigator, Target Discovery and Genomics

  • Jun 2016 - Apr 2018

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States As a Senior Investigator, I supported the clinical introduction of H3B-6545 (FiC covalent ER-alpha antagonist) and led development of a high priority preclinical stage program. In addition, as a member of the Target Discovery and Genomics group, my lab utilizes several state-of-the-art technologies to identify and validate novel oncology targets.

• Investigator II, Target Discovery and Genomics

  • Sep 2015 - May 2016

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States I supported target discovery/validation efforts and served as a Project Lead for two preclinical programs.

• Investigator I, Target Discovery and Genomics

  • Sep 2013 - Aug 2015

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States My lab utilized state-of-the-art technologies and worked collaboratively with data scientists to identify novel oncology targets. We interrogated preclinical and clinical datasets (for best-in-class targets) to uncover potential differentiation strategies that can be actively pursued by preclinical and clinical teams. In addition, I personally served as the Biology lead on 2 preclinical-stage programs.



Novartis

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral fellow

  • Dec 2010 - Sep 2013

  Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA As a post-doctoral fellow, I was interested in uncovering molecular mechanisms that allow prostate tumor relapse following prolonged treatment with Enzalutamide (MDV3100) in the clinical setting. To uncover relevant resistant mechanisms, we developed a model of spontaneous resistance to MDV3100 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Several of the MDV3100-resistant clones harbored a spontaneous F876L mutation in Androgen Receptor (AR) and functional studies confirmed that AR(F876L) conferred an… Show more As a post-doctoral fellow, I was interested in uncovering molecular mechanisms that allow prostate tumor relapse following prolonged treatment with Enzalutamide (MDV3100) in the clinical setting. To uncover relevant resistant mechanisms, we developed a model of spontaneous resistance to MDV3100 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Several of the MDV3100-resistant clones harbored a spontaneous F876L mutation in Androgen Receptor (AR) and functional studies confirmed that AR(F876L) conferred an antagonist-to-agonist switch that promoted phenotypic resistance. By applying both functional in vitro and in vivo studies, we showed that emergence of F876L may (i) serve as a novel biomarker for prediction of drug sensitivity, (ii) predict a "withdrawal" response to MDV3100, and (iii) be suitably targeted with other antiandrogens or CDK4/6 inhibitors. Show less



Princeton University, Molecular Biology Department

• PHD Graduate Student

  • Sep 2005 - Nov 2010

  Princeton, NJ I established and implemented microRNA-based functional systems in the Kang lab. Using these approaches, I characterized the novel role of the miR-200 family as critical drivers of the mesenchymal-epithelial program and as promoters of pulmonary and bone metastasis. In addition, we also engineered a xenograft model system with a conditional control of the TGF-beta-SMAD signaling pathway and a dual-luciferase reporter system for tracing both metastatic burden and TGF-beta signaling… Show more I established and implemented microRNA-based functional systems in the Kang lab. Using these approaches, I characterized the novel role of the miR-200 family as critical drivers of the mesenchymal-epithelial program and as promoters of pulmonary and bone metastasis. In addition, we also engineered a xenograft model system with a conditional control of the TGF-beta-SMAD signaling pathway and a dual-luciferase reporter system for tracing both metastatic burden and TGF-beta signaling activity in vivo. We applied this system to show that 1) disruption of the TGF-beta signaling pathway in early metastases can significantly reduce burden, 2) inhibition of osteoclast function can significantly reduce TGF-beta signaling output in bone metastases and 3) we used the xenograft reporter model to quickly gauge the efficacy of TGF-beta inhibitors in the in vivo setting. Show less



Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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

• Lab manager

  • Jan 2003 - Aug 2005

  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute I was responsible for 1) applying various cell-based and molecular biology techniques to identify and functionally test genes critical to megakaryocytic maturation, and 2) for testing the function of transcription factors in intestinal development using in vitro systems.



University of Toronto

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• M.Sc. Graduate Student

  • Sep 2000 - Jun 2004

  University of Toronto, Human Physiology Department I had a long-standing interest in the causes and consequences of the 9-11 year population cycle of the snowshoe hare in Northern Canada. Although it was known that predation stress drives the cycle, it was not known how this stress impacted on the molecular organization of the CNS. As a graduate student in the Human Physiology Department, I bridged the gap between field ecology and molecular biology by studying the molecular organization of the hippocampal-hypothalamic-pituatary-adrenal axis in… Show more I had a long-standing interest in the causes and consequences of the 9-11 year population cycle of the snowshoe hare in Northern Canada. Although it was known that predation stress drives the cycle, it was not known how this stress impacted on the molecular organization of the CNS. As a graduate student in the Human Physiology Department, I bridged the gap between field ecology and molecular biology by studying the molecular organization of the hippocampal-hypothalamic-pituatary-adrenal axis in hares collected from different points of the cycle (rise, peak and decline of the population). I showed that natural predation leads to a significant spatio-temporal reorganization of stress receptors in the hippocampus and pituitary. The consequence of such a decrease is likely to be a decline in spatial memory, leading ultimately to a compromised ability to locate food and remember escape routes. Show less