Senior Scientist II Translational Medicine Lead

• Jan 2023 - Present

Senior Scientist I Translational Medicine

• Feb 2022 - Dec 2022

Instructor (Junior Faculty)

• Jun 2021 - Feb 2022

Project 1: investigate ER and AR heterogeneity in HR+ metastatic breast cancer and triple negative metastatic breast cancer respectively Project 2: contribution of data to develop a mutation panel associated with abemaciclib benefit in metastatic HR+ HER2- ESR1-mutated breast cancer resistant to endocrine therapy and palbociclib/ribociclib Project3: modulation of the cellular microenvironment by different states of tumor cell senescence induced by variation in environmental signals… Show more Project 1: investigate ER and AR heterogeneity in HR+ metastatic breast cancer and triple negative metastatic breast cancer respectively Project 2: contribution of data to develop a mutation panel associated with abemaciclib benefit in metastatic HR+ HER2- ESR1-mutated breast cancer resistant to endocrine therapy and palbociclib/ribociclib Project3: modulation of the cellular microenvironment by different states of tumor cell senescence induced by variation in environmental signals Project4: develop downstream assays for patient derived leukopak products enriched for CTCs -contribution of data to successful grant proposals (>$1million) -identify / test appropriate scientific equipments for CTC research (>$300k), be involved in purchase/ maintenance in lab -involved in hiring research associates/staff scientists

Research Associate Manager

• Dec 2016 - Feb 2022

- Managed 12 technicians across 5 laboratories in running of core CTC isolation technology for patient samples - Implemented roll-out of core technology improvements, including quality control testing - Trained 7 B.S. technician direct reports - Interfaced between research assistants and laboratory management to solve problems and implement lab priorities -Grew talent by identifying developmental needs, facilitate technical training and contributing to successful internal promotion… Show more - Managed 12 technicians across 5 laboratories in running of core CTC isolation technology for patient samples - Implemented roll-out of core technology improvements, including quality control testing - Trained 7 B.S. technician direct reports - Interfaced between research assistants and laboratory management to solve problems and implement lab priorities -Grew talent by identifying developmental needs, facilitate technical training and contributing to successful internal promotion or acceptance to pharma roles/PhD programs/dental/medical/law schools

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• Sep 2016 - Jun 2021

Laboratory of Prof. Daniel Haber and Prof. Shyamala Maheswaran • Project 1: establish in vitro and in vivo model systems to study circulating-tumor cells (CTCs) from solid tumors: breast cancer, lung cancer • Project 2: detection of acquired targetable HER2 driver mutations in refractory hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients • Project 3: contribution to early detection and monitoring of breast cancer using blood based-diagnostic strategies • Project 4: collaboration… Show more Laboratory of Prof. Daniel Haber and Prof. Shyamala Maheswaran • Project 1: establish in vitro and in vivo model systems to study circulating-tumor cells (CTCs) from solid tumors: breast cancer, lung cancer • Project 2: detection of acquired targetable HER2 driver mutations in refractory hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients • Project 3: contribution to early detection and monitoring of breast cancer using blood based-diagnostic strategies • Project 4: collaboration with Radius Health Inc.: evaluating activity of investigational compounds in CTC derived breast cancer lines and deciphering mechanisms of resistance • Project 5: identification of resistant mutations in breast cancer by exome sequencing of CTC lines in collaboration with the Broad Institute and IBM • Project 6: identification and role of somatically acquired BRCA1/2 mutations in metastatic breast cancer • Project 7: microfluidic isolation of circulating-tumor cells (CTCs) from leukapheresis products and development of down-stream assays for its detection • Project 8: identification of multiple tumor populations with differential kinase activities using single cell proteomics and c-Met dependency in bone metastasis • Project 9: targeting PRMT5 in Breast CTCs • Project 10: contribution to identification of appropriate storage conditions for CTC preservation for clinical biomarkers for future clinical trials in collaboration with MicroMedicine, Inc. • Preparation of detailed scientific reports and manuscripts • Contribution of data to grant proposals • Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among 5-10 member teams of engineers, scientists, clinical research coordinators and clinicians • Manage and mentor a team of lab technicians

Instructor Junior Faculty

• Jun 2021 - Feb 2022

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• Sep 2016 - Jun 2021

Laboratory of Prof. Daniel Haber and Prof. Shyamala Maheswaran

Visiting Fellow

• Apr 2016 - Sep 2016

Laboratory of Dr. Mithilesh Mishra Laboratory of Dr. Mithilesh Mishra

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

• Apr 2015 - Dec 2015

• Design, implementation and management of scientific projects • Supervising of Ph.D. / Master/ Bachelor students and technical assistants • Writing detailed scientific reports and preparation of manuscripts • Contribution of scientific data for grant proposals • Oral presentations to both internal and international scientific fields • Collaboration of research activities with clinical partners and translational centers within the iMed Consortium in Germany

Helmholtz Graduate Scholar: Doctoral Studies

• Oct 2010 - Apr 2015

Doctoral Thesis Titled: “Characterization and targeting of the human colon cancer tumor-initiating cell compartment.” •Established and characterized 3D spheroid cultures from primary patient colorectal cancer samples •Demonstrated phenotypic plasticity of colorectal tumor-initiating cells and the presence of non-reliable cancer stem cell markers •Performed shRNA mediated high throughput in vitro and in vivo screens: to identify genes which drive tumor initiating potential, self-renewal… Show more Doctoral Thesis Titled: “Characterization and targeting of the human colon cancer tumor-initiating cell compartment.” •Established and characterized 3D spheroid cultures from primary patient colorectal cancer samples •Demonstrated phenotypic plasticity of colorectal tumor-initiating cells and the presence of non-reliable cancer stem cell markers •Performed shRNA mediated high throughput in vitro and in vivo screens: to identify genes which drive tumor initiating potential, self-renewal and metastases in primary spheroid cultures enriched for tumor initiating cells. •Performed in vivo gene activating trapping screens in originally non-metastasizing primary spheroid cultures to find metastatic drivers •Dissected the functionality of truncated APC gene in primary colorectal cancer spheroids and elucidated the role of Wnt signaling in the pathway in the survival of tumor-initiating cells

Master Research Fellow

• Jan 2010 - Jun 2010

Master Thesis Titled: “Tumor suppressor activity of SMAR1 and its regulation in embryogenesis and neuronal differentiation” Master Thesis Titled: “Tumor suppressor activity of SMAR1 and its regulation in embryogenesis and neuronal differentiation”

Bachelor Research Fellow

• Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

Bachelor Thesis Titled: “Isolation of Yeast from food products and their invtro mycocin activity among other yeast genera” Bachelor Thesis Titled: “Isolation of Yeast from food products and their invtro mycocin activity among other yeast genera”