Experience

Evolved By Nature

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President Research And Development

  • May 2023 - Present

  United States



Conscience VC

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant ♦ Advising Biotech Firms ♦ Project Assessment ♦ Scientific / Research SME

  • 2016 - Present

  Massachusetts, United States As a consultant, Dr. Marukian advised several biotechnology companies. Her Select Achievements Include: • VL37, Inc.: Led project assessment in immunology, immuno-oncology, innate immunity to identify novel target biology and drug discovery opportunities supporting proprietary platform. • SkinAxis, LLC: Evaluated innate immunity, cell signaling, toxicity projects. Created workflow to employ immune cells into multicellular, immunocompetent 3D human skin model with human… Show more As a consultant, Dr. Marukian advised several biotechnology companies. Her Select Achievements Include: • VL37, Inc.: Led project assessment in immunology, immuno-oncology, innate immunity to identify novel target biology and drug discovery opportunities supporting proprietary platform. • SkinAxis, LLC: Evaluated innate immunity, cell signaling, toxicity projects. Created workflow to employ immune cells into multicellular, immunocompetent 3D human skin model with human melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts. Immunology Immuno-Oncology Identifying Novel Target Biology & Drug Discovery Opportunities Supporting Proprietary Platforms Strategic Vision & Guidance Superb Scientific Communication Skills Critical Business Resource Research Lead Leadership / Management Rapid-Growth Organizations Show less



Valo Health

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Director, Head of Discovery Immunology and Translational biology

  • May 2020 - Aug 2022

  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Created Strategic Vision for Discovery Immunology and Translational biology. Managed and created immunology and translational biology platform: led 4 oncology/immune-oncology indications: set and execute strategy; led relationships with KOLs / SMEs; introduced cutting-edge technologies to the research of project applications: assessed external platforms: evaluated metabolism, immunology, and oncology-related assets. Created a unique predictive discovery platform based on primary human cells.… Show more Created Strategic Vision for Discovery Immunology and Translational biology. Managed and created immunology and translational biology platform: led 4 oncology/immune-oncology indications: set and execute strategy; led relationships with KOLs / SMEs; introduced cutting-edge technologies to the research of project applications: assessed external platforms: evaluated metabolism, immunology, and oncology-related assets. Created a unique predictive discovery platform based on primary human cells. Reviewed, draft, and edited reports, and regulatory & intellectual property (IP) documents. Hire and supervise staff, contract research services (CROs); facilitate academic collaborations. Build predictive platforms and machine learning capabilities. Show less



Axcella

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Director, Head of Discovery ♦ Creating / Managing Discovery Platform ♦ Research Head

  • Jun 2017 - May 2020

  Cambridge, Massachusetts Dr. Marukian created and manages the discovery platform: designs and develops novel endogenous metabolic modulator compositions to safely reprogram metabolic dysregulations. She sets and executes strategy and leads relationships with KOLs / SMEs, and introduces cutting-edge techniques by researching potential project applications. Her Select Achievements: • Created a unique predictive discovery platform based on primary human cells: hepatocytes (Heps), macrophages (Macs), hepatic… Show more Dr. Marukian created and manages the discovery platform: designs and develops novel endogenous metabolic modulator compositions to safely reprogram metabolic dysregulations. She sets and executes strategy and leads relationships with KOLs / SMEs, and introduces cutting-edge techniques by researching potential project applications. Her Select Achievements: • Created a unique predictive discovery platform based on primary human cells: hepatocytes (Heps), macrophages (Macs), hepatic stellate cells (HSC), liver cells (multicellular cultures with Heps, Macs, HSC), immune cells, adipose cells, gut cells. • Generate transcriptomic, metabolomic, proteomic datasets via internal/external datasets to build predictive platforms and machine learning for multiple indications in the pipeline; reproduced data in mouse models (STEM, FATZO), and clinical studies (Liver [NASH, cirrhosis], muscle). • Identified new combinations of endogenous metabolic modulators. • Supported filing patents for NASH, cirrhosis, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial energetics, immunology/inflammation platform pipelines. • Used data to submit (2) abstracts (AASLD, Keystone) selected for oral presentations; Keystone selected for end-of-meeting highlights. • Preparing (2) publications, including submission to Cell Metabolism before May 2019. • Develop NASH, cirrhosis, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial energetics, and immunology/inflammation platform pipelines. • Hire and supervise staff and contract research services (CROs); facilitate academic collaborations. • Review, draft, and edit study reports, regulatory & intellectual property (IP) documents. • Interpret pre-clinical and clinical data, present projects to management, boards, partners, international & domestic scientific meetings; author manuscripts for publication. Liver Biology Immunology / Immunometabolism Inflammation Immuno-Oncology Cellular Immunology Cancer Biology Metabolism Drug Discovery Strategic Vision & Guidance Show less



HemoShear Therapeutics

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Immunology & Platform Modalities ♦ Creating/ Executing Strategies ♦ Rare Disease Discovery

  • 2015 - 2016

  Charlottesville, Virginia Area Dr. Marukian was promoted 2X to lead near- and long-term strategies in immunology and in vitro validation of assays / tools / models to develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic rare disease drug discovery. She incorporated immune cell populations into liver, oncology, and vascular platforms to recreate disease-stage modeling. This work generated (7) presented abstracts, as well as (3) published manuscripts. Her Select Achievements Include: • Developed and… Show more Dr. Marukian was promoted 2X to lead near- and long-term strategies in immunology and in vitro validation of assays / tools / models to develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic rare disease drug discovery. She incorporated immune cell populations into liver, oncology, and vascular platforms to recreate disease-stage modeling. This work generated (7) presented abstracts, as well as (3) published manuscripts. Her Select Achievements Include: • Developed and executed strategic plans; provided scientific expertise for R&D; trained and managed scientists. • She drove target validation strategies using modalities for modification of targeted genes / pathways (viral vector [Retroviral, Lentiviral, AAV], siRNA, sdRNA, small molecule, CRISPR-cas9 technology-based approaches). • Catalyzing scientific insight to support drug discovery and clinical trial programs. • Communicated with research partners; presented scientific findings at international and domestic meetings. • Created multicellular liver platform based on primary human cells: hepatocytes, macrophage, and hepatic stellate cells. NASH Disease Discovery Metabolic Rare Disease Discovery Immunology / Immunometabolism Leading R&D Training & Managing Scientists Liaising with Research Partners Presenting Scientific Findings Creating Multicellular Liver Platform Cancer Biology Target Validation Strategies & Execution Metabolism Drug Discovery

• Study Director at HemoShear LLC

  • 2013 - Feb 2015

  Charlottesville, Virginia Area Led a research team, directed and coordinated strategies for multiple projects, including optimization of the HemoShear platform systems.

• Scientist

  • 2012 - 2013

  Charlottesville, Virginia Area Worked on multiple commercial and R&D projects, including projects related to drug metabolism and toxicity, lipid metabolism, insulin signaling and inflammatory response



The Rockefeller University

• United States
• Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Associate / Research Specialist ♦ Immunity Responses to Viral Infections

  • Jun 2008 - Oct 2012

  Greater New York City Area At Rockefeller, Dr. Marukian researched the mechanism of innate and adaptive immunity responses to viral infections (HCV, yellow fever, Sindbis, dengue). She enhanced the understanding of HCV infection-induced hepatic abnormalities; and developed novel approaches to HCV biomarker discovery: directed fundamental discovery of hepatocyte-induced expression of Type III (λ) IFNs, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) after HCV infection. Her Select Achievements… Show more At Rockefeller, Dr. Marukian researched the mechanism of innate and adaptive immunity responses to viral infections (HCV, yellow fever, Sindbis, dengue). She enhanced the understanding of HCV infection-induced hepatic abnormalities; and developed novel approaches to HCV biomarker discovery: directed fundamental discovery of hepatocyte-induced expression of Type III (λ) IFNs, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) after HCV infection. Her Select Achievements Included: • Developed methods for isolation, expansion, and characterization of primary human cell cultures: endothelial, stellate, fibroblasts, liver cells / hepatocytes, immune cells (monocytes, macrophages, dendritic, T & B cells). • Designed experimental approaches to study cell signaling pathways (innate immune, immunological, inflammatory) during viral infection; and synergy between low levels of Type I / III interferons, TNF alpha, IL1 beta, IL6, CD40L. • Presented her findings at group meetings, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C Seminar and international meetings. Research Designing Experimental Approaches Innate & Adaptive Immunity Responses to Viral Infections Hepatic Abnormalities Liaising with Research Partners Presenting Scientific Findings HCV Biomarker Discovery Target Validation Strategies & Execution International Travel Show less



The Rockefeller University

• United States
• Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD Candidates /Research Associate, The Rockefeller University (2004-2008)

  • 2004 - 2008

  Greater New York City Area Examined the levels of chemokines in plasma of hepatitis C infected patients and the activation, maturation and expansion of B cells during chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) infection to understand HCV-induced B-cell abnormalities. This work lead to discovery and identification of CXCL10 as a predictor of responsiveness or nonresponsiveness to antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon (IFN) with or without ribavirin in plasma of hepatitis C infected patients.



Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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

• Research Assistant

  • 2002 - 2004

  New York , New York Studied the effect of the influenza A virus NS1 protein on innate and adaptive immunity (DC maturation, cytokine production and the capacity of DCs to induce T- cell responses)