Scientific Expert - Biomedical and Health

• Oct 2023 - Present

- Design and develop funding programs - Evaluate and manage research proposals - Represent QRDI in engagements with stakeholders - Supervise and provide guidance and leadership - Capture, analyze and identify gaps in research areas and outcomes - Design and develop funding programs - Evaluate and manage research proposals - Represent QRDI in engagements with stakeholders - Supervise and provide guidance and leadership - Capture, analyze and identify gaps in research areas and outcomes

Assistant Professor - College of Health and Life Sciences

• Sep 2022 - Oct 2023

Scientist - Neurological Disorders Research Center

• Jun 2022 - Oct 2023

1. Established and defined a transcriptomic map of gene relationships and enhanced expression for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).2. Developed a foundation for an early diagnostic assay for ASD that enables the stratification of individuals along the spectrum, based on the severity of the disorder and, therefore, a path towards more precise treatment interventions.3. Validated and determined the position and reliability of third-generation sequencing methods towards understanding ASD, in a cohort of individuals that have been thoroughly studied, using conventional short-read methods (whole genome sequencing and RNA seq).4. Established a longitudinal birth cohort to identify prenatal biomarkers as an early screening and diagnostic tool.5. Identified and investigated significant prenatal and maternal components that influence understanding the neurodevelopmental trajectory that leads to the risk of developing ASD. Show less

Technical Staff and Postdoctoral Researcher Recruitment Committee Member

• Apr 2019 - Oct 2023

Neurological Disorders Research Center Interdisciplinary Research Program Coordinator and Co-Lead

• Jan 2019 - Oct 2023

The Neurological Disorders Research Center's (NDRC) Interdisciplinary Research Program (IDRP) was designed to stimulate and support advanced scientific research, tackling health and scientific challenges across two or more distinct fields, transcending individual disciplines and integrating a diverse range of skill sets and expertise. The NDRC IDRP investigated the role of Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders. As well as being a Co-Lead Principle Investigator in the IDRP my coordinator responsibilities included: 1. Handling the entire application process (IRB, IBC, Progress Reports, Consent Forms, etc.)2. Follow up on multi-omic investigations of multiple PIs and their team members to ensure optimal efficiency (proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics, metabolomics and functional studies) 3. Establish and monitor national and international collaborations5. Patient and clinical sample recruitment and monitoring 6. Coordinating project management activities, resources, equipment and information7. Monitor and manage budget Show less

Steering Committee Member and Secretary

• Nov 2021 - Dec 2022

The committee serves as the body that reviews the Terms of Reference or modification for every QBRI committee, bylaws, guidelines, or policies and submits them to the Executive Director for final approval and execution. Responsibilites include:1. Serve as review body for Terms of Reference and Guideline/Policies at QBRI.2. Be the oversight committee to all other committees and to receive annual reports on other committees.3. Review the annual business plan to make sure it aligns with strategic goals of QBRI.4. Receive quarterly reports on the financial performance and budget of QBRI.5. Identify potential risks across QBRI’s activities.6. Monitor compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.7. Manage executive summary of the SAC reports 8. Propose recommendations for improvement of various functions - including governance. Show less

Research Fellow - Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Aug 2017 - Jun 2022

1. Established a longitudinal study to identify predictive and diagnostic biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)2. Screened for components in maternal blood that could be used as a potential predictive/diagnostic biomarker for ASD3. Investigated underlying mechanisms that contribute to the altered neurodevelopmental trajectory leading to ASD.4. Developed a transcriptomic platform that identifies coding and non-coding RNAs associated to ASD5. Generated cellular models of ASD through cerebral organoids and neuronal cultures6. Explored the transcriptome and proteome within exosomes of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders7. Highlighted the detrimental effects of the dysregulation of thyroid hormone (T3) and folic acid in the development and functionality of neurons and cortical organoids, and thus potential effect towards neurodevelopmental disorders. Show less

Executive Committee Member

• Nov 2019 - Nov 2021

The Executive Committee provided recommendations to QBRI's research activities and workforce. My role as a member included the following responsibilities:1. Create and implement an annual strategic plan for QBRI's development2. Manage and regular review operational and financial performance of QBRI’s business3. Identify and manage potential risks across QBRI’s activities4. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations5. Be responsible for the integrity of management information and financial reporting systems6. Optimize QBRI's resources7. Propose recommendations for improvements Show less

Coordinator and Focal Point - QBRI Vivarium

• Jan 2019 - Dec 2019

Senior Research Associate - Clinical Neuroscience

• Sep 2010 - Aug 2017