Researching molecular mechanisms of metastasis and therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer and identifying potential therapeutic targets. • Perform analysis of bioinformatics data for identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets. • Conduct cell culture experiments including cell viability and drug-dose response assays, clonogenic assays, and genetic modification (lentiviral system; CRISPR-Cas9 guide design, delivery, analysis).• Manage collaborations by effective communication with multi-department and international partners to ensure a smooth running project. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully learned and applied bioinformatics data analysis for target discovery and performing ongoing validation with various molecular biology methods including gene editing via CRISPR-Cas9. Involved in supervision and mentoring of student projects. •Lead the day-to-day supervision of Bachelor student projects; provide overall guidance in Ph.D. projects. •Provide hands-on training in lab techniques and data analysis.•Advise in scientific methodology, experimental set-up, problem-solving, and manuscript writing. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Supervised three graduated Bachelor’s student projects and actively mentor an ongoing Ph.D. project.

Tasked with producing an anti-DNA autoantibody for structural and molecular biology analysis. • Produced the autoantibody by cloning and transfection into bacterial, insect and mammalian host cells followed by isolation and protein purification with a nickel column system.• Conducted biochemical and binding assays such as pull-down, EMSA and fluorescence polarization.• Performed protein structure predictions to guide engineering of more effective variants of the autoantibody using AlphaFold. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully produced the target autoantibody in various host cell systems and learned basic coding required for using AlphaFold software.

Investigated mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and potential strategies for combating acquired resistance. • Conducted cell culture experiments with primary human cells and established cell lines including cell viability and drug-dose response assays, clonogenic assays, and genetic modification (lentiviral system, siRNA knockout).• Performed molecular and biochemical assays including Western blotting and qPCR as well as immunohistology methods such as immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence stainings. • Conducted preclinical validations using in vivo mouse models and methods such as tumor inoculation, various treatment methods (I.P., oral gavage), experiment monitoring, and endpoint termination.• Analyzed datasets with analysis software such as GraphPad PRISM statistical analysis software, SynergyFinder 2.0, Orbit Image Analysis and ImageJ as well as prepared figures for scientific publications using Affinity Designer and Adobe Illustrator. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully identified and verified RTK signaling gain as a resistance mechanism to KRAS p.G12C-mutated NSCLC as well as preclinically validated a potential treatment target for overcoming it. Findings were published in the European Journal of Cancer (Oct 2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.003). Tasked with generating a library of patient-derived xenograft (PdX) models of NSCLC for better prediction of clinical response. • Isolated, processed, and managed internal biobanking of primary patient material including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum, ascites and tissue. • Performed xenografting, treatment administration (I.P.), experiment monitoring and endpoint termination of in vivo experiments.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully developed a protocol to establish PdX models that is still being used within the research group. A portion of the work was used in a publication in Lung Cancer (Apr 2020; DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.04.002).

Functioned as single point of contact, network representative and advocate for immunotherapy Centers of Research Excellence (imCORE)-sponsored studies at the West German Cancer Center. • Supported all ongoing and planned Roche immuno-oncology clinical trials at site. • Facilitated and ensured swift resolution of operational, logistical, and non-medical issues by effective communication with multi-department and international stakeholders. • Assisted in the legal team in the review and negotiation of research related contracts including Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA), Study Support Agreements and Site agreements. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully supported clear, consistent, and streamlined communication as well as fostered an effective relationship between the sponsor, CRO and site to ensure clinical trials run efficiently.

Responsible for supporting in vivo murine experiments of two research teams. • Bred and genotyped sufficient animals as well as maintained their wellbeing for experiments. • Performed xenografting, various treatment methods (I.P., I.M., I.D., oral gavage), experiment monitoring, endpoint termination, and flow cytometry sample processing and analysis using BD FACSDiva™.• Involved in purchasing of consumables and applying for animal experimenting ethics paperwork.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully completed multiple in vivo experiments that validate new therapeutic drugs developed by the research teams.

Conducted research involving protein extraction, purification, and recombinant protein expression of medicinal fungi.

Conducted research and prepared a research paper related to growing and characterizing two strains of closely related carbon fixing bacteria under the supervision of a research mentor.

Assisted professor in grading exams, reports, problems sets, quizzes, and other assignments where the grading criteria are objective.

Assisted in maintaining a collection of microscope slides of pollen grains, including inspection of slides with an optical microscope, preparing new slides when needed, and keeping accurate records.

Conducted research, prepared a research paper and a short presentation related to isolation and identification of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria from deep marine sediment under the supervision of a research mentor.