Calvin Hawe Email & Phone Number

Emeryville, California, United States

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

In the Serianni Laboratory within the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, I engaged in structural glycoscience and carbohydrate chemistry research. I conducted the synthesis of the βGlcNAc-N-Asn (beta-N-acetylglucosamine asparagine) glycosidic linkage in solution working with a graduate student, which included unlabeled and 13C-labeled versions of this particular glycoamino acid molecule. The seven-step synthetic sequence was carried out for each uniquely labeled product utilizing complex organic reactions and various types of preparative purifications (primarily normal-phase silica gel flash chromatography). Moreover, predicted isolated intermediate products were confirmed through NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC) and mass spectrometry. I then aided the synthesis of a mannose trisaccharide molecule (that had specific regiochemistry and anomeric configurations) which involved similarly complex organic reactions and separations. This synthetic work has the purpose of elucidating the precise linkage conformations of N-glycans and high-mannose oligosaccharides using experimental data to better understand glycoproteins on a molecular level. Specifically, experimental J-coupling measurements from high-resolution NMR and DFT-calculated Karplus equations facilitated MA’AT analyses that determined the torsion angles of the molecules' glycosidic linkages.To study the kinetics of the Fischer glycosidation reaction of D-mannose to methyl β-D-mannopyranoside, I collaborated with another undergraduate student in which we determined the decay rate by taking NMR of time-specific aliquots. This experiment was furthered with scaling up the reaction and purifying of the resulting anomers using a hydroxide anion-exchange resin column. I improved upon my NMR skills of manually shimming and tuning to acquire high-quality NMR spectra with resolved peaks that can distinguish between anomers. I also helped teach other undergraduate researchers technical procedures of acquiring NMR spectra.

In order to gain a deeper insight into the needs and priorities of the global Friedreich's ataxia (FA) community, I developed surveys and carried out interviews with its members (FA patients and families) and key partners (researchers, pharmacists, etc.). Focus was directed toward each unique FA community outside the United States, including countries with high FA prevalence, such as France, Ireland, and India, and areas where it is less common, like South Africa and Lebanon. I then analyzed the data to provide a comprehensive summary and recommendations to FARA with the objective of strengthening the collective international FA community through impactful implementation of strategic initiatives and targeted support measures. I presented these results and proposals to FARA during a full staff meeting. With a better understanding of the scope of the global FA communities and their goals, FARA can better engage its international members and meet their expectations.

I assessed FARA's ambassador program to provide suggestions for improvement and ideas for new initiatives. This project consisted of reviewing internal documents/spreadsheets and conducting interviews with both patient ambassadors and employees at FARA-partnered biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies to produce a final report and presentation. I also researched Biogen's/Reata Pharmaceuticals' omaveloxolone "Omav" molecule (now Skyclarys®), which is the first FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy indicated for treating Friedreich's ataxia.

Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States

I conducted bioanalytical method development for the capillary electrophoresis (CE) purity and composition assessment of various therapeutic protein modalities, including monoclonal antibodies and next-generation biologics such as recombinant fusion proteins, bispecific engagers, trispecific antibodies, Fc-peptide conjugates, and antibody-drug conjugates. Specifically, I optimized methods for a high-throughput, microfluidic-based CE-SDS system that provides significant advantages over both HPLC and SDS-PAGE in regard to speed and sample consumption. Moreover, sensitive separation and fluorescence detection facilitated identification of individual antibody/biologic fragments, elucidating the particular degradation pathway of drug substances. Following optimization for each modality, I validated the methods for linearity, robustness, range, and precision/repeatability. I also confirmed the accuracy of these novel high-throughput methods with direct comparisons against low-throughput, older-generation GMP-certified CE-SDS procedures. Finally, I incorporated automated sample preparation using the Andrew+ liquid handling robot to further improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. Ultimately, reliable and efficient product characterization methods are essential to the drug discovery and development process. As pharmaceutical pipelines continue to shift toward next-generation biologics, a high-throughput CE-SDS method designed for non-traditional protein modalities can accelerate the process development across Merck's biologics pipeline.At the end of my internship, I presented my method development to the Analytical Research & Development department across the Rahway, West Point, and Kenilworth sites. I also contributed to an Analytical R&D Highlight (an internal science and innovation publication at Merck), which won the Outstanding Highlight of the Month award for July. I worked at the Merck Research Laboratories facility at the former Schering-Plough headquarters.

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

I tutored chemical engineering and biochemistry students at Notre Dame on subjects including organic chemistry and general chemistry. I enjoyed designing teaching strategies to fit the needs of each individual when working with students one-on-one (e.g., explaining reaction mechanisms with molecular model kits), in addition to leading group review sessions and collaborating with learning coaches of other subjects. I communicated effective study techniques to my students and assisted the learning of class material with textbook discussions and practice tests. I was employed by the Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS) within the Notre Dame Division of Student Affairs, and had completed FERPA certification.

Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States

Demonstrating drug stability—requisite for obtaining regulatory approval—is only possible with accurate and robust product characterization methods. To solve a bioanalytical problem, I developed a novel two-dimensional HPLC method that accurately determines the purity of therapeutic proteins in the presence of high concentrations of the surfactant excipient polysorbate 80 (PS80). I gained experience working with biologics including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). I concurrently ran a multi-month stability study to determine the API degradation rates of liquid and lyophilized protein drug products in high-concentration PS80 formulations stored at various temperatures. At the end of the internship, I presented my analytical method development to AstraZeneca's Dosage Form Design & Development department, within the BioPharmaceuticals R&D Unit (at the former main MedImmune facility).

Krabbe disease is a devastating, rare neurodegenerative disorder. I researched this disease (also known as globoid cell leukodystrophy) to create a NORD report that compiles comprehensive information on symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for the Krabbe disease community. This report was published on March 13th, 2024.

Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is extremely effective at treating dehydration—a significant and overlooked health issue both globally and within the United States. I worked to increase awareness of ORT's ability to remedy dehydration in addition to the considerable benefits that DripDrop’s products have to offer. My outreach plan included strategically identifying and contacting medical offices for a product sampling campaign.

San Francisco, California, United States

Working in a private primary care practice, I assisted a family medicine physician by managing the front desk, admitting patients, scheduling appointments, and preparing patient rooms. Other responsibilities included handling patient specimens (e.g., centrifuging blood samples, delivering COVID-19 tests to LabCorp) and opening/closing the clinic for the day when the doctor was out of the office.

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States

Customer Rating: 4.95 out of 5.00Completion Rate: 100%

Walnut Creek, California, United States

I worked in the inpatient clinical laboratory at local medical center by assisting pathologists, medical laboratory technicians, and clinical laboratory scientists. I acquired experience examining tissue specimens (from biopsies) and testing patient biofluid samples—primarily blood and urine—using a variety of diagnostic analytical laboratory techniques.

San Francisco, California, United States

While shadowing a family medicine physician, I learned introductory medical techniques such as how to take vital signs and how to properly disinfect a room. I also shadowed an oncologist at an adjacent Sutter Health facility and saw firsthand how to deliver grave cancer prognoses.

Bachelor Of Science In Biochemistry, Concentration In Neuroscience, Minor In Patient Advocacy, 3.931

•Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Honors Program •Dean's List Recognition (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) •Rare Disease Club •Neuroscience.

High School Diploma, 4.26

•Varsity Lacrosse •STEM Peer Tutor •HOSA – Future Health Professionals Officer •Rotary International Interact Club Founding Vice President