- Led a small cross-functional team to develop a small molecule inhibitor of a novel target to reverse aberrant signaling caused by PKD1or PKD2 loss-of-function that drives cytogenesis in patients with Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).- Generated a primary human cell-based model of ADPKD that became instrumental for target validation and in vitro functional assay development.- Designed biophysical assays for target engagement studies, generated cell-based reporter assays, and created a target degradation assay to enable SAR.- Managed CROs to purify novel target and oversaw AS-MS HTS to create chemical matter.- Drove each step of the project to key decision points and coordinated critical path activities with colleagues and academic partners.- Presented quarterly progress updates to Scientific Advisory Board and Investment Committee.

- Led an Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) program for Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) program into lead identification.- Established cellular assays to quantify allele-specific knockdown of target- Confirmed candidate efficacy using iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons and human DIPG neurospheres

Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Barbara Panning-Identified an X-linked O-GlcNAc modifier, OGT, controls DNA cytosine modifications (5mC) and 5hmC) in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). -Discovered TET3, a 5mC dioxygenase, as an OGT target that is differentially modified in XX and XY mESCs.-Uncovered that OGT and TET3 form different complexes in XX and XY mESCs, and that OGT dose controls TET3 and OGT distribution. Both proteins are nuclear in XX mESCs and cytoplasmic in XY mESCs. -Mutational analysis using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing revealed that TET3 determines XX-specific abundance of 5mC and 5hmC in mESCs.-Discovered that TET3 null mutants reshape Xist RNA distribution which impairs X chromosome inactivation. -Initiated collaboration with the Burlingame Lab to gain expertise in O-GlcNAc-specific mass spectrometry, and with the UCI Genomics High throughput Facility to gain expertise in RNA-seq methods and analysis. 
-Project managed CCSF interns and four rotation students by teaching molecular biology techniques and setting up daily and weekly task schedules for timely progress. 
Areas of Research: epigenetic regulation in stem cells, X-inactivation, metabolism

-Quantified mitochondrial networks in S.cerevisaie through in-house mitograph pipeline-Determined mitochondrial inheritance is an active mechanism-Managed all lab organization: supply ordering, stock solution prep, yeast stock maintenance-Taught all incoming lab members how to implement the mitochondrial analysis quantification pipeline.-Environmental Safety and Biosafety Officer Areas of Research: multi-scale analysis of principles of cellular organization, spatial and dynamic organization of mitochondrial networks in cells

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert-Determined a general stress response in ergosterol biosynthesis S. cerevisiae mutants when subjected to Bisphenol A exposure through screenings of gene deletion library-Identified possible specific compound-targeting pathway: endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway-Discovered that addition of Bisphenol A to S. cerevisiae prematurely turned on Unfolded Response Pathway-Mentored undergraduate researchers and thesis students by teaching yeast growth procedures, sterile method, western and norther blot protocolsAreas of Research: unlocking genetic pathways involved in drug response through molecular mechanism