Lead translational development for autologous cell-based and AAV-based gene therapy programs for rare diseases.

Led team of PhD scientists in oncology drug discovery. Focus on tumor-intrinsic targets of immune evasion.

Led translational research strategy and study execution from early stage through BLA filing for JCAR15 and Breyanzi CAR T cell clinical trials to treat patients with hematological malignancies•Developed and implemented translational program to support BLA filings, including PK, PD, safety and immunogenicity assessments •Strategies to understand MoA and identify correlative and predictive biomarkers of response, disease resistance and safety/toxicity •Managed team of 8+ scientists, supervising laboratory-based experiments internally and contracted research •Authored translational sections of INDs, clinical protocols, drug study reports and regulatory submissions•Developed validated assays for clinical lab studies that support regulatory submissions

•Led nonclinical development of immune oncology therapeutic antibody program. •Headed antibody technology development. Supervised a team performing multi-parameter flow on clinical samples and recovery of anti-tumor and anti-pathogen antibodies for further development

•Led target discovery and internal validation studies. Major programs included IDO, NKG2D and Trop2.•Developed multidisciplinary, cross-site teams (PhD and non) of scientists to support project advancement. Directly supervised associate scientists.•Evaluated target biology, expression, signal transduction properties and suitability as an antibody or small molecule drug target. Developed in vitro enzyme and cell-based assays, preclinical biomarkers, and in vivo models to test drug candidates.Presented scientific information to diverse audiences. Maintained awareness of scientific literature, patents, clinical trial information and in-licensing opportunities.•Solid publication record in oncology, tumor immunity and cancer immune therapy.

•Identified novel ligands for NKG2D and evaluated their role in tumor immune surveillance. •Supervised assistant scientists providing mentoring and project development.

•Conducted biology research in support of therapeutic antibody programs to treat cancer and inflammatory disease.

•Evaluated mechanisms by which bacteria resist killing by the human immune system.•Characterized human follicular fluid factors that stimulate sperm motion (collaboration with University of Toronto)

•Identified proteins that confer resistance of Western White Pine trees to fungal disease using protein extraction, SDS-PAGE, IEF, 2-D gels and silver staining techniques.

•Managed data collection for British Columbia's Georgia Strait Creel Surveys. Contributed to study reports.