Experience

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  Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.

  • United States
  • Biotechnology Research
  • 300 - 400 Employee

  • Research Associate, Ex Vivo Cell Therapy

    • Feb 2022 - Present

    Assisting in preclinical studies for P-CD70-ALLO1 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies, as part of a collaboration with Roche. Skilled in the isolation & downstream culture of immune cells from human blood, autologous and allogeneic CAR-T production, gene editing using Cas-CLOVER™ technology, multi-color flow cytometry and fluorescent cell sorting, cytotoxicity assays using Incucyte live cell imaging, and processing ex vivo mouse tissue samples.

  • Research Technician, Gene Therapy

    • Nov 2019 - Feb 2022

    Supported the development of chimeric antigen receptor hematopoietic stem cell (CAR-HSC) therapies within the Gene Therapy group. Lead efforts in assessing HSC stemness and generating non-viral DNA vectors using piggyBac® transposon technology. Novel laboratory techniques include culturing primary & tumor human cells for downstream immunoassays, plasmid DNA and mRNA synthesis via bacterial cell cloning, molecular biology assays such as qPCR technologies, and adeno-associated & lentivirus gene delivery and maintaining BSL-2 cultures.

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  Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

  • San Diego, CA

  • Research Assistant I, Jing Crystal Zhao Laboratory

    • Sep 2018 - Nov 2019
    • San Diego, CA

    Conducted experiments for mammalian RNA biology research studies in the Crystal Zhao Laboratory within the NCI-Designated Cancer Center at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.I was Dr. Zhao’s primary research assistant studying the most common chemical RNA modification in mammalian cells, named N6-methyladenosine (m6A), working to discover its function and therapeutic applications in diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other cancers. Specific laboratory techniques acquired include: designing and implementing my own protocols, DNA molecular cloning pipeline, mammalian and bacterial cell culture, in vitro cellular DNA/RNA/protein extraction, qRT-PCR, affinity purification assays, and gel shift assays (EMSA) using 32P isotope labeling.

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  University of California, Santa Cruz

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Yi Zuo Laboratory

    • Jan 2016 - Jun 2018

    Conducted and aided in experiments for neuroscience research studies in the Yi Zuo Laboratory within the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department.The research project I worked on investigated pharmacological methods of ameliorating the underlying molecular mechanisms that cause Fragile X Syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder. From this, I gained the ability to hypothesize and conduct experiments, analyze results, assess and comprehend scientific literature, navigate bioinformatics software, and more.Specific laboratory techniques I acquired include Western blotting and SDS-PAGE, immunohistochemistry, histology, resin chromatography, genotyping, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, I gained extensive experience in animal handling and surgery from working with mouse models for research in this lab, including transcardial perfusions, behavior analysis, and breeding.

  • Student Life & University Guide

    • Oct 2015 - Jun 2018

    Lead campus tours for prospective students and incoming frosh/transfer students from the perspective of an undergraduate student, assisted in Office of Admissions events, conducted phone banks to provide updates to prospective/incoming students, and answered guests’ questions and concerns.In addition, I mentored new-hire guides in training, where I advised a cohort of students through the extensive training process. This included facilitating group and one-on-one meetings with my mentees, evaluating their content memorization and overall tour experience, and helping them work through obstacles in the training process.

  • CalTeach Active Learning Assistant

    • Jan 2017 - Mar 2017

    Supported undergraduate student learning in an interactive, "Active Learning" classroom environment for an introductory biology course focusing on animal and plant physiology in the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. Facilitated collaboration between small groups of students as they solved challenging conceptual problems, and in turn helped students articulate, defend, and modify their ideas about a research question presented in class by asking more questions than giving answers.

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  Santa Cruz Shakespeare

  • Santa Cruz, California

  • Box Office Assistant Manager

    • May 2016 - Sep 2017
    • Santa Cruz, California

    Responsibilities included ticket & merchandise sales, attending to customer questions and concerns in person and over-the-phone, handling cash and credit card information, managing the box office website and our ticketing/event management software, and supporting fellow box office and front of house personnel in patron interaction and venue maintenance.Summer Job: May to September, 2016 and 2017

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  Salk Institute for Biological Studies

  • La Jolla, California

  • High School Research Assistant, Edward Callaway Laboratory

    • May 2013 - Sep 2015
    • La Jolla, California

    Aided in experiments for systems neuroscience research studies for a University of California, San Diego graduate student investigating the thalamocortical and extrastriate visual pathways in the brain using a mouse model.Specific laboratory techniques acquired include mouse head-framing stereotaxic surgery, intrinsic signal optical imaging using MATLAB programming, extracellular electrophysiology in vivo, and general lab maintenance.Began as an intern at the end of my junior year to halfway through my senior year of high school, May through December of 2013. Later returned as a research assistant during the summer between my first and second year of college, June through September of 2015.