Claire Geddes Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States

Led a team of ~10 individuals executing in vivo studies, assay development and sample analysis, which facilitated lead selection for four different programs and IND-enabling studies for one program. Played integral role in development strategy, program management, CRO oversight, and preparation of regulatory documents.

Continued to direct preclinical studies for lead selection and development of gene therapies for CNS and neuromuscular indications. Collaborated cross-functionally on development strategy for several RNA-targeting gene therapies, including preparation of regulatory documents for FDA, PEI, and MHRA. Presented regularly at quarterly updates to the Board of Directors

Built out vivarium operations to support a range of delivery modalities as well as in-life assessments. Acquired six different transgenic mouse lines to support three different research programs. Hired four FTEs to develop histological and molecular assays for understanding the safety, biodistribution, transgene expression, and pharmacological activity of AAV-based, RNA-targeting therapies. Served as functional lead for CNS program, requiring collaboration with regulatory, research, and development teams

Established vivarium operations onsite, including IACUC protocol authorship and performed stereotaxic delivery of AAV-based, RNA-targeting gene therapies

Salk Institute

Discovered fundamental insights into how the brain learns and performs action sequences, which resulted in a high impact publication • Developed and optimized a novel behavioral paradigm in mice followed by extensive use of molecular, electrophysiological, optogenetic, and behavioral techniques to discover how basal ganglia pathways contribute to the learning and performance of action sequences • Produced a high impact publication that supported renewal of lab’s first R01 funding• Worked collaboratively with co-authors to successfully manage and perform all behavioral experiments, meeting aggressive deadlines during the revision process• Extensively trained research assistants and undergraduate volunteers in experimental protocols as well as lab managerial duties• Organized and oversaw several large lab equipment acquisitions/moves to ensure limited disruption to experiments• Managed a large animal colony and all associated breeding for a variety of genetic mouse lines

La Jolla

• Teaching assistant for the UCSD Neurosciences graduate-level course "Neuroanatomy"• Guest lecturer on basal ganglia neuroanatomy• Led exam preparation sessions with students• Aided in exam writing and grading

La Jolla

Advisor: Thomas Hnasko • Developed and characterized a viral strategy to translationally profile defined neuronal cell types• Performed stereotactic surgeries to deliver virus to dopamine neurons in the brain; harvested brain tissue and performed micro-dissections to isolate specific brain regions of interest. Utilized standard molecular biology techniques to quantify the mRNA profile of dopamine neurons and validate our viral strategy

La Jolla

Advisor: Nicholas Spitzer • Used cell transfection and immunohistochemical techniques in xenopus oocytes to investigate if changes in postsynaptic receptor identity can alter presynaptic neurotransmitter release

Laboratory Of Dr. Mark Geyer

Hamilton, Ny

• Teaching assistant for the neuroscience course "Introduction to Brain and Behavior"• Led weekly review sessions where I mentored class of about 30 students on lecture material

Hamilton, Ny

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Cellular Neuroscience

Phd, Neuroscience