Sharesta Khoenkhoen

Project Manager at SPARK-BIH | Immunology • Immuno-Oncology • Cell & Gene Therapy

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About

Scientific and translational project manager with international experience across academia, biotech, public health, and translational research. I hold a PhD in immunology from Karolinska Institutet and have worked in fundamental immunology, immuno-oncology, and TCR-T cell therapy development. I enjoy working at the intersection of science and application, supporting research projects that aim to bring new therapies closer to patients. My experience spans both scientific and translational environments, where I have contributed to coordinating projects across disciplines and sectors. I value open and supportive working environments where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together effectively, as I believe this is key for both strong teams and meaningful progress.

Experience

  • Project Manager at SPARK-BIH
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    · Support and management of translational research projects in gene and cell therapy and associated diagnostics, incl. definition of work plans and milestones, budget planning · Identify project needs and strategic gaps and connect teams with relevant scientific, clinical, and technical expertise · Monitoring project progress and preparing reports for project documentation and strategic tracking · Organisation and coordination of regular project meetings · Conceptualisation and organisation of educational and networking activities in the field of gene and cell therapy

  • T-knife Therapeutics (Berlin, Germany · Hybrid)
    • Scientist II TCR Discovery
      Jan 2025 - Jun 2025 · 6 mos

    • Scientist TCR Discovery
      Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 · 3 yrs

      · Generated and isolated tumour-reactive TCRs in transgenic MyT mice · Characterised efficacy and safety profile of candidate TCRs · Designed and developed high-throughput screening assays to enhance pipeline efficiency · Designed, organised and coordinated experimental work · Conducted data analysis, documentation, prepared reports, and regularly presented findings · Authored and reviewed SOPs/ WIs to ensure consistency and compliance

  • Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden · On-site)
    • Postdoctoral Researcher
      Sep 2020 - Jun 2021 · 10 mos

      · Evaluated B and T cell function as well as antibody isotype switching in context of protein/adjuvant and viral antigens in mice using in vivo and in vitro assays · Cloned, expressed, and purified monoclonal antibodies from SARS-CoV-2-specific single-sorted memory B cells from infected individuals · Established in vitro protocols for characterizing B and T cells and initiated development of assays to evaluate signalling downstream of NF-κB activation in human primary cells

    • PhD student
      May 2015 - Aug 2020 · 5 yrs 4 mos

      · Investigated immune responses and B cell differentiation to T cell-independent antigens · Prepared NGS libraries from sorted B cell subsets to assess differences in BCR repertoires · Developed protocols for identifying plasma cell differentiation defects in human systems · Generated, validated, and phenotyped cell-conditional knock-out mouse strains · Maintained communication with animal facilities, planned imports/ rederivations/ transfers of mice, and handled all relevant documentation · Trained and supervised BSc and MSc students in their experimental and writing activities · Presented and discussed research at lab meetings, seminars, and (international) conferences

  • Master Thesis Student [Infection & Immunity, MSc] at Academic Medical Center (AMC)
    Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 · 3 mos

    Master thesis under the supervision of T. Booiman (PhD) in the group of N.A. Kootstra (PhD) at the department of Experimental Immunology at the Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam. Literature review on N-glycosylation of immunoglobulin G Fc region and HIV-1 disease progression.

  • Research Intern [Infection & Immunity, MSc] at Karolinska Institutet
    Feb 2014 - Aug 2014 · 7 mos

    Phenotypic analysis of transitional B cell subsets and functional B cell studies under the supervision of G.K. Pedersen in the group of G. B. Karlsson Hedestam in the department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology.