United States
Highly motivated oncology scientist with 10+ years of research experience in academia and industry. Expertise in cancer biology and molecular signaling pathways, as evidenced by a strong publication track record. Great proficiency in developing and optimizing a variety of biochemical, cell and molecular biology assays. Critical team player who can work efficiently in a fast-paced, dynamic, cross-functional environment with outstanding abilities to develop hypotheses, design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, and troubleshoot. Deep scientific knowledge in target identification and validation with a focus on preclinical drug discovery and development.
• Design, execute and analyze experiments to validate targets in biology efforts for early discovery projects using genetic and pharmacological approaches • Establish cancer cell models, develop and conduct cell-based assays for proof-of-concept and SAR studies • Study molecular pathways to identify and validate biomarkers for target engagement • Present data and findings in group meetings and cross-functional project team meetings • Communicate and collaborate with CROs to advance projects • Propose new targets via literature review and oncology database analysis • Supervise a direct report, providing guidance to meet productivity and quality goals
• Conducted mechanism-of-action studies for IND drug development of targeted protein degraders • Executed in vitro assays to validate new targets • Reviewed literature to identify new targets
• Identified therapeutic potentials of the lead molecule in cancer indication and validated the target using cell and molecular biology techniques • Selected and communicated with CROs • Prepared for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant application
• Identified an oncogenic signaling pathway important for protein scavenging in pancreatic cancer using cancer cell lines and xenograft tumor models (a first-authored publication in Developmental Cell) • Developed and carried out a kinome RNAi screen using a high-throughput cell-based assay to identify druggable targets regulating protein scavenging in pancreatic cancer cells (awarded NIH NCI T32 grant – “Cancer Targets and New Drug Discovery”) • Developed an ex vivo method to label large endocytic structures involved in protein scavenging in pancreatic tumors and published a protocol in Methods in Molecular Biology • Generated data to get grant funding (a NIH R01 grant awarded to the PI) • Mentored research associates