Rob Sturm

Translational Biomarker Scientist

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

About

To lead and innovate large molecule LCMS biotherapeutic/biomarker bioanalysis strategies to more efficiently characterize a therapy’s affect on one’s quality of life. Target industries: Pharma, CRO, Biotech, Analytical Instrumentation.

Experience

  • Zoetis ()
    • Research Director
      May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

      - Leads a world-class Translational Sciences organization composed of PK/PD scientists, PK/biomarker laboratory scientists focused on quantitative measurements, and 'Omics laboratory scientists. - Member of Global Therapeutics leadership team.

    • Senior Principal Scientist
      Jul 2021 - May 2025 · 3 yrs 11 mos

      - Leads a technology agnostic Translational Biomarkers Team within the Discovery Sciences & Technologies organization. - Expertise in quantitative determination of biologics and biomarkers by LC-MS. - Member of Discovery Sciences & Technologies cross-site leadership team.

    • Principal Scientist
      Dec 2017 - Jul 2021 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      - Team lead of LC-MS pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic LC/MS Bioanalysis lab supporting pharma and biopharma portfolio. - Large molecule LC-MS quantitative bioanalysis SME. - Project Team Leader for projects within Diagnostics organization. - Project Team member on biopharma programs spanning drug discovery/development continuum.

  • Assistant Research Investigator, LCMS Biologics & Biomarkers (formally Senior Scientist) at Q² Solutions
    Apr 2014 - Jul 2016 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    - Method development scientist experienced in collaborating with internal and external Sponsors to develop selective, high-throughput, quantitative LCMS assays for peptide/protein therapeutics and biomarkers in support of preclinical and clinical programs. - Developed assays range in complexity from simple protein crash/conventional-flow chromatography to complex offline Immunoaffinity (IA) purification coupled to multi-dimensional (2D/3D) online immunocapture, trap and elute nano-flow chromatography. - Provides de novo method development support to Sponsors seeking quantification of a target protein therapeutic/biomarker including determination of optimal digestion strategy for production of a signature peptide for use in bioanalysis. - Supports business development and marketing initiatives through onsite/offsite scientific and capabilities presentations. - Collaborates with instrument and reagent vendors to evaluate new technologies for use in a regulated high-throughput laboratory. - Authors SOPs and work instructions pertaining to implementation of high resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRMS) instrumentation and software for regulated bioanalysis. - Leads instrument validation activities for equipment and software utilized for large molecule bioanalysis. - Mentors junior scientists through lunch & learn sessions and one-on-one job shadowing. - Bottom-up Applications: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), antibodies, biotherapeutics, biomarkers. - Top-down Applications: Utilize Q-Exactive series instrumentation to quantify intact biotherapeutics and biomarkers. Instrument expertise: --- Thermo Q-Exactive, Q-Exactive Plus, TSQ Quantiva, TSQ Vantage mass spectrometers. --- Sciex API 4000, 5000, 5500, 6500 --- Conventional flow Dionex Ultimate 3000 systems, Waters Acquity I-Class, Shimadzu Nexera and Prominence LC platforms. --- Nanoflow Dionex systems (2D, 3D). --- Hamilton STAR and Apricot Designs laboratory automation systems.

  • Post-Doctoral Research Scientist at Quintiles
    Sep 2012 - Apr 2014 · 1 yr 8 mos

    - Post-doctoral research under mentorship of Dr. Jack Henion and Dr. Richard Abbott. - Developed a red blood cell filtration device capable of generating dried plasma spots from whole blood microsamples for use in quantitative bioanalysis. - Implemented high resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRMS) instrumentation for detection and quantification of small molecules present in complex biological matrices. - Paired high-throughput dried matrix spot extraction technologies with HRMS and triple quadrupole mass analyzers. - Investigated alternative dried blood spot sample treatment workflows and card substrates to address analyte stability and blood hematocrit challenges. - Communicated developments of plasma microsampling strategy at the 2013 ASMS conference in Minneapolis, MN through oral and poster presentation mediums. Instrument expertise: --- Thermo Q-Exactive, Exactive Plus, TSQ Quantiva. --- Dionex and Shimadzu LC systems. --- Spark-Holland dried blood spot autosampler and Symbiosis online SPE systems.

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison ()
    • Research Assistant
      Nov 2007 - Sep 2012 · 4 yrs 11 mos

      - Graduate research under mentorship of Dr. Lingjun Li. - Designed and implemented LC/MS, MS/MS based approaches to characterize and quantify small molecules, peptides, and proteins in complex biological matrices using multiple MS platforms. - Managed a small team junior graduate and undergraduate students. - Coordinated instrument installation, user trainings, and maintenance/troubleshooting. - Six public presentations. - Ten peer reviewed publications. - Thesis: Mass spectrometry method development for targeted and discovery neuroproteomics and peptidomics. Instrument expertise: --- QTOF: Waters micro and Synapt G2. Bruker maXis 4G. --- Ion-trap: Thermo LTQ, Bruker amaZon ETD. --- QQQ: AB Sciex 5500 QTRAP. --- TOF: AB Sciex 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF. Bruker AutoFlex III TOF/TOF. --- Waters Acquity and nanoAcquity UPLC. --- Waters Alliance HPLC.

    • Teaching Assistant
      Aug 2007 - Dec 2008 · 1 yr 5 mos

      - Undergraduate and graduate instruction in laboratory and classroom environment. - Undergraduate instruction: General chemistry and advanced analytical chemistry. - Graduate instruction: Instrumental analysis. - Planned discussion and laboratory sessions. - Demonstrated laboratory safety.

  • Aquinas College ()
    • Research Assistant
      Aug 2006 - May 2007 · 10 mos

      - Research under mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Jensen. - Developed method to extract and quantify flavonoid content in various varieties of Michigan red wines using analytical flow HPLC coupled to a diode-array detector. - Thesis: Quantification of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in a variety of Michigan red wines.

    • Assistant Lab Coordinator - Biology Department
      Aug 2006 - May 2007 · 10 mos

      - Prepared media, slides, and plants for student labs. - Assisted in the upkeep of laboratory rooms and preparation areas.