Research Scientist

• Jan 2022 - Present

Small Molecule Screening for Gene Editing Lead - Initiated and led small molecule screening for high efficiency gene editing projects including target selection, discovery strategy, and screening design - Designed and implemented genomic quantitative multiplex assays for knock-in (ddPCR, QIAcuity digital PCR, qPCR, flow analysis) - Validated CRISPR enzymes - Designed and generated donor for higher knock-in and lower random integration - Managed projects and timelines including sourcing reagents from commercial vendors - Selected top small molecule candidates to induce more than 50% biallelic knocking-in efficiency without random integration in iPSC - Established protocol to induce simultaneously multiplex editing Gene Editing Platform for Differentiated Cell Lead - Led development of gene editing protocols for iPSC derived T cells including knock-out and knock-in strategies - Established knock-out protocol for iPSC derived T cells at various differentiation stages - Developed knock-in protocol in several loci. Genome Engineering and iPSC Clone Establishment - Designed and generated overexpression and knock out cell lines - Engineered multiple CAR, ADR, and other transgenes into clonal iPSC lines in several loci. - Designed and purified AAV vectors for knock-in transgene expression in iPSC Show less

Research Scientist I

• Jan 2016 - Jan 2022

- Developed protocols to induce highly efficient homology-dependent recombination (HDR) with long donor sequences mediated by CRISPR/Cas9- and AAV in several human primary cells.- Developed and implemented screening system to identify novel guide RNA for disease specific CRISPR/Cas9- Developed protocols to quantify long sequences insertion via HDR mediated by CRISPR/Cas9- Screening of guide RNA and donor AAV combinations by quantifying HDR efficiencies in primary cells- Developed Next-Gen Sequencing based High Throughput Screening system to determine efficacy of gene editing mediated by combination of CRISPR/Cas9- and donor-AAV in human primary cells. - Collaborated with a multidisciplinary group to design optimal pipeline parameters- Provided input to steer assays towards progressing compounds with specific properties through the pipeline Show less

Temporary Research Scientist

• Apr 2014 - Dec 2015

Postdoc

• Apr 2007 - Apr 2014

Worked in High-Throughput Screening to identify druggable targets that regulate canonical Wnt pathway. Established cell-based high throughput screening system in the laboratory including manipulation of liquid handler workstations, reader, and high throughput-type microscope. Identified small molecules /microRNA and characterized their molecular mechanisms of action including their direct binding targets. Identified and evaluated transcription factors as small molecule’s direct/indirect binders by performing phage display. Constructed cDNA library in T7 phage and established phage display system in vitro and in vivo in the laboratory. Supervised high school student, undergraduate students, graduate students, and lab technicians. Worked as a team member in collaborations with both academic and industry. Show less

Postdoc

• Aug 2002 - Mar 2007

Performed genome-wide scale high throughput screening and identified factors which regulate Sox9 transcriptional activity.Revealed that the Sox9 transcriptional factor which is important for chondrocyte development, regulates its target chondrogenic genes through interaction with histone acetylase CBP/p300, transcriptional cofactors PGC-1α, and Smad3/4 by focusing on the interaction with histone modification enzymes. Analyzed functional role of histone modifications regulated by Sox9 and its interacting proteins by reconstituting chromatinized template DNA in vitro. Supervised undergraduate students and lab technicians. Present at annual program meeting, and international conferences. Worked as a team member with a successful research collaborators including GNF. Show less