Translational oncology lead supporting biomarker strategy and analysis for late-stage clinical development within oncology for Xalkori (ALK, ROS1 and MET inhibitor), Inlyta (VEGFR-TKI), Avelumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) and Encorafenib/Binimitinib (BRAF/MEK inhibitors).

Led the diagnostic development team (4 direct reports at PhD, MS, and BS levels) to support new diagnostic platforms and their transfer to the clinical laboratory, pharmacodynamics assays for early clinical-stage trials and molecular based companion diagnostics for patient stratification for targeted therapeutics at an integrated RX/DX company (which was acquired by Roche-Genentech).

• Lead and manage team responsible for design, optimization, validation and transfer of new assays and associated platforms into the clinical laboratory (3 direct reports at PhD, MS and BS levels). • Established laboratory space for the team to perform immunohistochemistry tests and analysis, compliant to quality and safety regulations. • Developed and introduced quantitative immunohistochemistry tests in the clinical laboratory using a new image acquisition technology platform encompassing laboratory work, hardware, software and interpretive components. Integration of this platform yielded a 20% improvement in profit margin for the clinically validated IHC4 test by AQUA technology (resulted in oral presentation, poster presentation, and manuscript in preparation). • Lead efforts to optimize Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow and assays within the clinical laboratory. Identifying process and system improvements, which will improve efficiency while maintaining clinical standards. Results will reduce labor, increase capacity and improve efficiency. • Led vendor interactions (Perkin_Elmer) for the development of a clinical grade multispectral imaging platform, including software. Initially developed for Genoptix custom applications and then later released by the vendor for broad commercial distribution. • Increasing digital pathology and telepathology platform capabilities within the company and collaborating within the greater Novartis organization. Providing information, protocol exchange, and technical support.• Worked directly with the CMO to identify and improve breast pathology quality methods and metrics for breast tissue testing in the clinical laboratory. This also included efforts within the company and also interaction with client physicians to identify pre-processing issues that could impact test results. • Established productive collaborations with external institutes to enhance clinical validity of biomarker studies

• Introduced new quantitative immunohistochemistry tests in the clinical laboratory, compliant with CLIA/CAP requirements, using a new, proprietary, technology platform (AQUA) encompassing laboratory work, hardware, software and interpretive components. Developed a breast marker profile and recurrence score (IHC4) based on this licensed technology (later purchased by Genoptix) (resulted in oral/poster presentation and manuscript in preparation).• Expanded work above to develop a complete process framework for the design and validation of new biomarker based tests for quantitative protein expression. • Developed and led training sessions for the clinical laboratory staff and pathologists to ensure effective implementation of quantitative immunoassays into the CLIA laboratory.• Assisted clinical laboratory in assay optimization for immunostaining tissue within the CLIA laboratory. • Worked with QA group to implement appropriate assay validation methods (SOPs, Reports, Protocols).• Supported marketing efforts in event planning, developing data presentations and interaction with key opinion leaders as the technical expert to educate on quantitative protein expression and applications in oncology.

Explored the role of Tks5, a Src-substrate scaffolding protein, in cell migration during embryonic development using, zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. • Performed independent research and established productive collaborations with outside laboratories to complete research goals of cross-disciplinary studies of cancer and developmental biology.• Established zebrafish as a model system within the laboratory to study cell migration in vivo.• Designed and performed cell based assays to characterize podosome/invadopodia formation in neural crest stem cells, pancreatic and breast cancer cells, and Src-transformed fibroblasts using 2-D and 3-D matrix culture conditions.• Generated stable overexpression and knock-down cell lines in normal and cancer cells using retrovirus, lentivirus, and shRNA/siRNA constructs. • DNA sequencing, cloning, bacterial transformation, selection, enrichment and site-directed mutatgenesis using plasmid vectors and oligonucleotides.

My thesis focused on identifying activated signaling pathways expressed by angiogenic tumor vasculature. I explored whether MAPK and AKT pathways could be potential biomarkers for specific antiangiogenic therapies. • Examined tumor growth and vascular effects in multiple murine tumor models treated with SU5614, Sorafenib, or VEGF Trap and analyzed tumor growth and vascular features.• Developed multiplex IHC staining for potential signaling biomarkers in tumor endothelium.