1)Engineered Bacteriophage Platform (Synthetic Biology)As first lab team member at EnBiotix, established and managed laboratory start-up and introduced phage and Staphylococcus aureus infrastructure for synthetic biologyAs lead scientist, created a synthetic biology platform utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology to engineer phages in Staphylococcus aureusDeveloped synthetic biology platform used to leverage two external collaborations and an NIH SBIR phase 1 grant totaling $1.4M in supportMember of Joint Steering Committee for Elanco/EnBiotix partnership, developing and implementing research strategy on engineered phage in animal healthFiled patents on engineered phage using synthetic biology platform to create candidate phage therapeutics for Staphylococcus aureus infections2) Tunable Targeted Degradation Platform (TTD) for screening of antimicrobial compoundsTransferred technology from Founder’s lab, characterizing and developing TTD essential gene library for target-based whole cell screening of antimicrobial compoundsUsing TTD, discovered potential drug targets that facilitate antibiotic entry into gram-negative bacteriaValidated a specific target in lipopolysaccharide export pathway in gram-negative bacteria, using TTD, inducing novel susceptibility to a gram-positive only antibiotic, vancomycin

Developed a coherent framework to teach the disparate fields of the biotechnology sector to students without a biology backgroundInitiated the use of active learning to facilitate a participation-based course for a non-scientist professional seeking to gain an understanding of biotechnology

• Awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the American Cancer Society, New England Division.• Examined how DNA damaging agents alter the mitochondrial metabolism and mitochondrial DNA of cells.• Investigated how the cancer drug cisplatin perturbs iron homeostasis in cells.• Introduced mitochondrial isolation and analysis techniques.• Advised and assisted several students, including an undergraduate researcher.• Constructed and taught four literature-based seminars to undergraduates on mitochondria and human diseases.

• Identified a novel bacterial cell cycle checkpoint induced by starvation. • Investigated the physiological changes of starving bacterial cells.• Developed a cell synchronization protocol for the replication of Escherichia coli cells.• Taught and trained students as a teaching assistant of the Advanced Bacterial Genetics Course in Cold Spring Harbor, NY.

• Performed surgical implantation of telemeters and microchips in rodents to monitor sleep patterns by electro-encephalogram and electro-musculargram signaling.• Monitored study chambers and performed treatments of various sleep-inducing and wake-promoting compounds.• Ascertained quality control of electronic devices that registered sleep and wake signaling.• Authored numerous general laboratory protocols for the aforementioned responsibilities.