• Performed HIV infection of T-cells and whole population of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) under BSL2+ laboratory conditions to quantify cell infection and NK cell antibody directed cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) efficiency for different (combinations of) engineered antibodies• Reformatted HIV ADCC model to 384-well format with potential to characterize antibody candidates’ ADCC and neutralization ability in a high throughput manner, potentially develop a similar 3D model• Conducted cross-titration study on donor plasma, antibody/small molecule and protein precursor synergy study for effective neutralization of HIV infected CD4+ T-cells to explore possible new/personalized therapies for patients• Employed high fluorescence techniques to report assay effectiveness and further increased the sensitivity of the model using Gag/p24 antigen ELISA developed in house and modified to fit the new 384-well format• Facilitated Surface Plasmon Resonance/Bio-layer interferometry (SPR/BLI) to study surface binding dynamics of antibodies on CD4, alongside with automatic platform (Biomek) for high throughput ELISA assay development• Current assay has been used for multiple small molecule/antibody screening projects for potential HIV cure, and successfully selected outstanding candidates for more informed choices during animal trail• Explored possibilities of using gel-like extracellular matrices with PBMC to establish ADCC model that resembles human lymphoid environment; optimized 3D coculture environment using T-cell and NK cell lines to achieve reliable killing via engineered antibodies, and evaluated killing efficiency via reliable reporting assays for insights of 3D PBMC model• Quantified cell migration and killing time frame, speed and their correlation with gel percentage via confocal microscope

Project: Src Family Kinase (SFK)/spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibition for primary/secondary platelet deposition • Interrogated the difference of platelet activation/deposition inhibited by Syk/SFK inhibitor with/without thrombin• Differentiated the effect of primary and secondary platelet deposition during clotting with inhibition of Syk/SFK• Quantified the platelet activity at primary and secondary platelet deposition with phosphatidylserine• Proposed a possible cell signaling pathway of platelet through glycoprotein VI (GPVI), SFK and Syk to explain undesirable bleeding in current leukemia treatmentsProject: Direct inhibition of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) for primary/secondary platelet deposition• Coordinated with Dr. Nieswandt for testing proprietary human GPVI blocking antibody Fab in our microfluidic assay• Differentiated the effect of direct inhibition of GPVI on clot morphology compared to Syk/SFK inhibition that showcased signaling pathway cross-talking • Interrogated the significance of initial platelet deposition with phosphatidylserine and thrombin generation that led to a deeper understanding of clot structure and the critical hemostatic role of thrombin• Worked among lab mates with different expertise in a cross-collaborative environment to meet and deliver on common objectives that led to the expedited completion of this projectProject: Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) fiber formation and function under pathological shear • Designed innovative microfluidic devices with trapping feature for VWF and fabricated wafers using soft lithography• Tested sensitivity of plasma VWF fiber trapped in device to different proteases using microfluidic devices under live imaging• Studied de-thrombotic effect of N-acetylcysteine on thrombus plug and the relationship with VWF function• Investigated the co-factor of VWF originated from platelet and present in plasma during thrombosis

• Participated in informational interviews with members of the Infectious Disease & Vaccine department and collaborating departments• Connected with junior and senior staff to gain perspectives on work duties, such target identification, chemical screens, vaccine design, bioengineering, immunological assays and resistance testing, formulations, and clinical study• Enhanced skills in professional development, leadership, and networking strategies in pharmaceutical industry• Established relationships and networks with advanced degree holding professionals through one-on-one mentoring• Attended seminars for resume polishing, interview skills, and career goal setting to facilitate future development

• Prepared and used equipment for cell culture, PCR and DNA sequencing, chromatography, Western Blot, etc.• Graded homework, lab reports and quizzes, then provided one-on-one feedbacks for 22 individual students

Primary Project: Multicellular Organotypic 3D breast tumor model• Adapted a scalable complex 3D in vitro model, which included organotypic tumor microenvironment (TME) features and high throughput system (HTS) technologies, toward a breast cancer context of use• Led the assay development and recommended optimized cell number and ratio, culture duration and imaging endpoints for the breast tumor complex model with three different tumor cell lines• Performed lentiviral transfection and selection to fluorescently-tag multiple cell lines for high content imaging• Developed thorough, detailed protocols and meticulously documented studies in an electronic lab notebook• Conducted thorough literature search reviews to recommend a “state of the art” update in breast tumor organoid and tissue engineered models for assay internalizationEmerging Project: Immunocompetent lung air-liquid interface (ALI) model for respiratory disease modeling• Supported development of a new in vitro human lung ALI transwell model in a context of recapitulating immune interactions in respiratory infections• Evaluated different microfluidic platforms for lung ALI model incorporation and future internalization • Cross-referenced assay development protocols from different research units using lung models for co-culture optimization and adaptation to a new microfluidic model• Expected project work (Q1-2 2022) will include evaluation of transepithelial barrier integrity using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), cilia beat frequency measurements and analysis, studying immune responses of lung bronchial airways with cytokine-based readouts, and evaluation of tissue quality using immunohistochemistryAuxiliary Project: Basics of iPSC and neuron differentiation• Conducted seeding, passaging, cyrobanking, and maintained culture of iPSC for further possible differentiation• Learned stimulations (Dual SMAD and NGN2) and culture environment requirement aimed for differentiation of iPSC

• Investigated technical details in synthesizing, manufacturing and storage of hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS) production for an innovative drug delivery device• Assessed the production details and market sizes of antipsychotics, IVF and monoclonal antibodies and evaluated the significance of these potential markets• Analyzed the details of automated lyophilization with other company associates• Surveyed other medical startups for potential competition, market entry and exit strategies • Investigated the feasibility of facilitating ENHANZE® drug delivery technology in our device for monoclonal antibodies

• Explored the general process and details in consulting cases for company evaluation in healthcare industry• Investigated sections and approaches for market analysis in consulting cases in healthcare industry• Learned and evaluated proper pricing strategies for healthcare products and services• Applied and showcased the skills and knowledge gained from these series through a real case capstone project

• Explored the market size in different regions for patented, innovative devices from startups• Evaluated groups of stake holders for these devices and regulations at various markets• Formulated a scoring matrix that ranked other potential markets to prioritize strategic goals• Conducted primary and secondary research of stake holders’ concerns for cost and pricing analysis• Patented devices are from: In Vitro Diagnostic Solutions, LLC. and SOLUtion Medical, LLC.

• Understood composition, process and requirements in sterile drug production• Managed capital and operational cost of the production process• Specialized in process design of lyophilization based on condition requirements from clients• Presented process design, control scheme and cost analysis to peer, faculty and industrial advisor

• Graded homework, lab reports, quizzes, and midterm exams for undergraduate level classes• Held office hours, exam preparation sessions and recitations

• Prepared samples of silica particles with various sizes for membrane manufacturing• Used Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) machine to evaluate the distribution of particle sizes• Studied the permeable features of membrane with different particle sizes

• Quantitative numerical prediction of product composition under different reaction conditions using MATLAB• Setup and test operation of reactor, qualitative analysis of the difference between actual product and numerical prediction • Operation of combustible and toxic gas tanks with certification • Device was used since Fall 2017 for Unit Ops Lab in Lehigh University

• Studied the principle of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Microscopy • Designed and manufactured a durable, accurate yet small size FTIR Microscope with 3D printing, with potential for patenting