Greater Boston
I am a virologist with 10+ years of experience leading molecular biology research, to produce and characterize 15+ RNA viruses for cell based assays in development of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral therapeutics. I have spearheaded 5+ projects over 10+ years in various therapeutic domains. I have led projects in antibody engineering to improve neutralizing breadth of a HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. I have also generated reporter flaviviruses and optimized microneutralization assays for vaccine and diagnostic studies. I have generated SARS-CoV-2 variants for high-throughput antiviral assays and study of virus-host interactions. I have leveraged strong communication and presentation skills to tailor content for technical and non-technical audiences leading to 13 presentations at scientific conferences, and 18+ peer-reviewed publications. I have cross-functionally collaborated with over 20 professionals for devising novel therapeutic interventions. I have used strong domain expertise with empathetic communication skills to train and mentor professionals in cutting edge techniques as evidenced by successfully mentoring 6 undergraduate students and 15+ trained lab staff. I want to contribute my virology and molecular biology expertise, project management, and knowledge in science and technology for the discovery and development of vaccines or therapeutics to improve lives. I would like to leverage my experience and skills at a diverse and inclusive workplace that also fosters delivery of affordable medicines around the world. In a few years I would like to move into leadership positions in the companies where I can mentor professionals and make creative business decisions. I look forward to connecting with you here at [email protected]
• Independently designed, executed, analyzed, and interpreted scientific experiments for evaluating 8+ candidate drug compounds using luminescence-based or fluorescence-based virus infectivity assays and molecular biology assays such as RT-qPCR and qPCR experiments for studying virus-host interaction leading to 3+ projects. • Managed multiple projects simultaneously creating SOPs for BSL2, BSL2+, and BSL3 environment leading to 2+ successfully executed projects, working with 20+ mammalian and insect cell cultures, baculovirus, VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviruses, and SARS-CoV-2 variants creating 2 DNA constructs by seamless cloning. • Excellent technical documentation skills to document experimental data in ELN as well as communicate results and research progress to team members and collaborators in progress meetings while training 6+ junior lab members troubleshoot on experimental techniques and use of instruments.
• Spearheaded projects in BSL2 and BSL3 environment performing in vitro virological studies and in vivo mosquito vector competence studies, analyzed, and presented technical data and reports to stakeholders as week as presented research findings at 4 scientific conferences. • Performed molecular cloning to produce 6+ flavivirus reverse genetics constructs and ensured quality of 4+ GFP reporter flaviviruses by molecular biology techniques and flow cytometry analysis while maintaining lab organization and helped with monitoring lab equipment in compliance with QMS. • Cross-functionally collaborated to establish and optimize a fluorescent-based micro-neutralization assay for high-throughput testing of serum samples from 2 projects on vaccine research and diagnostic studies.
• Spearheaded antibody engineering project of KD-247 (a HIV-1 neutralizing antibody) and collaborated with lab members in biochemical and cell-based studies of 3+ therapeutics against HIV-1 • Led the development and fulfillment of 6+ years of hands-on experience in molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, phage display, ELISA, DNA and protein sequence analysis, SDS-PAGE, and flow cytometry • Excellent troubleshooting skills gained by optimizing expression and purification protocols of recombinant proteins including 14+ single-chain variable fragment (scFv) variants of KD-247 while training 5 undergraduate students on research techniques and preparation of reports or poster presentations. • Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience in writing, creating figures, editing, and reviewing protocols or manuscripts as evidenced by 4+ protocols designed.