Experience

Adecto Pharmaceuticals

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Mar 2023 - 10 months

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States

• Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder

  • Nov 2014 - Mar 2023

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States



Tufts University School of Medicine

• United States
• Higher Education
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Research Associate, Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology

  • Jan 2010 - 14 years

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Planned, drove and executed breast cancer research projects with multiple stakeholders. Achievements: • Discovered molecular factors that mediate the aggressive phenotype of breast cancer cells (e.g., VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis of inflammatory breast cancers and ADAM8 in angiogenesis and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancers). • Identified novel approaches for treatment and demonstrated efficacy in mouse models (e.g., epigallocatechin-3-gallate to inhibit growth and… Show more Planned, drove and executed breast cancer research projects with multiple stakeholders. Achievements: • Discovered molecular factors that mediate the aggressive phenotype of breast cancer cells (e.g., VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis of inflammatory breast cancers and ADAM8 in angiogenesis and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancers). • Identified novel approaches for treatment and demonstrated efficacy in mouse models (e.g., epigallocatechin-3-gallate to inhibit growth and lymphangiogenesis of inflammatory breast cancer tumors, and anti-ADAM8 antibodies to block metastasis of triple-negative breast tumors). Additional responsibilities: • Managed the day-to-day operations and staff of a 5-person laboratory. Assigned tasks to maintain a successful working environment, served as escalation point for operational issues, trained and supervised new members. • Prepared grant applications, a patent and manuscripts for publication. • Participated in go-no-go decision making process for development of an antibody-based breast cancer therapeutic. Evaluated market size, competitive landscape and potential development partners. Current research projects: • Use of miRNAs as biomarkers of carcinogen exposure • Molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer development and progression Show less



Boston University School of Medicine

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Biochemistry Department

  • Jan 2008 - Dec 2009

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Breast cancer research (laboratory of Dr. Gail Sonenshein): • Collected and analyzed scientific information from a broad range of sources (e.g., peer-reviewed literature, public databases and key opinion leaders), and formulated effective cancer research strategies. • RelB project: Discovered the RelB NF-κB subunit promotes breast cancer cell survival and resistance to treatment with gamma-irradiation and the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. Demonstrated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3… Show more Breast cancer research (laboratory of Dr. Gail Sonenshein): • Collected and analyzed scientific information from a broad range of sources (e.g., peer-reviewed literature, public databases and key opinion leaders), and formulated effective cancer research strategies. • RelB project: Discovered the RelB NF-κB subunit promotes breast cancer cell survival and resistance to treatment with gamma-irradiation and the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. Demonstrated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits RelB, making breast cancer cells more susceptible to therapy. • Inflammatory breast cancer project: Identified the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a potent inhibitor of inflammatory breast cancer cell growth and invasiveness. Additional responsibilities: • Presentation of research results at scientific meetings • Preparation of grant proposals and manuscripts for publication • Training and supervision of new laboratory members

• PhD Graduate Student, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

  • Aug 2002 - Jan 2008

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States • Academic training: Completed a rigorous program that included extensive pathology and medical oncology-related coursework. • Leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer research (laboratory of Dr. Gail Sonenshein): Elucidated novel signaling pathways that promote the survival of malignant B cells (e.g., CD40L-mediated activation of RelB NF-κB) and the invasive phenotype of breast cancer cells (e.g., RelB to Blimp1 signaling in ERα-negative breast cancer cells).

• Pathology Tutor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

  • Sep 2004 - Dec 2005

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Assisted medical students registered in the Basic and Experimental Pathology course in understanding the course material and improving exam taking skills.



Clark University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• MA Graduate Student and BA Honors Student, Biology Department

  • Aug 2000 - Aug 2002

  Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Used molecular biology techniques to study abnormal tumor-like growths in cultures of the fungus Schizophyllum commune (laboratory of Dr. Thomas Leonard).

• Teaching Assistant, Biology Department

  • Aug 2000 - May 2001

  Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Led laboratory sections of the Introductory Biology and Microbiology courses.



Genzyme Corporation

• Intern, Department of Genetics and Genomics

  • May 2000 - Aug 2001

  Framingham, Massachusetts, United States 5/2000-08/2000 and 06/2001-08/2001 Used serial analysis of gene expression to identify molecular factors involved in prostate cancer progression.



AstraZeneca

• United Kingdom
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Intern, Department of Immunology

  • Jun 1999 - Aug 1999

  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States Tested the in vivo efficacy of a candidate vaccine against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium which causes gastric ulcers and cancer.