Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Biophysics specialist with a focus on maximizing throughput for target engagement, potency, and mechanistic evaluations. Specialties: * Surface plasmon resonance (Biacore), GCI and other label-free technologies * Microscale thermophoresis, spectral shift, and nDSF (Nanotemper) * Multi-angle and dynamic light scattering * Liquid handling and automation for drug development applications * Enzymology
Support of small molecule pipeline through biophysical analysis; fragment-based drug discovery; Surface plasmon resonance
Supports early small-molecule drug discovery efforts through fragment screening, direct binding assays for optimization of leads, and mechanistic characterization. Primarily using Biacore and other surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instruments. Represents biophysics group to project teams, including drug targets in cancer immunotherapy, oncology, and immunology. Member of the Fragment Core Team. Develops and implements automation strategies for the SPR group.
Acquired Wyeth Research 10/2009
Moved projects into discovery and pre-clinical status by providing evidence for direct binding of small molecules to protein targets. Worked closely with chemists and biologists on oncology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, tissue repair, and infectious disease targets. Performed enzymological / biophysical characterization of proteins for target validation and assay development of early-phase projects. Generated, adapted, and transferred assays to high-throughput screening group, working closely with them to meet process optimization and quality goals. Ran assays in low-to-medium-throughput to measure inhibitor potency, specificity, and test inhibition mechanism. Used automated liquid-handling systems (JANUS) to generate 384-well plates for fluorescence, TR-FRET, and absorbance assays. Responsible for investigating and implementing new technologies for hit-to-lead activities. Prepared and presented talks and posters within the Discovery organization and externally.
Technician in Microbiology laboratory under Dr. Anne Summers. Studied mercury oxidation by catalases and hydroperoxidases of soil bacteria. Cloned, expressed and purified bacterial enzymes. Developed enzymatic assay for mercury detoxification systems. Generated and tested polyclonal antibodies and investigated subcellular location of the enzyme. Operated atomic absorption spectrometer, UV-visible spectrophotometer, and FPLC.