Clinical & Translational Epidemiology Unit and Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine-Developed an independent research program designed to support clinical and translational research built on a foundation of precision medicine approaches, applying deep -omics profiling to human specimens, and developing novel patient-derived translational models to address prevention and interception of diseases.-Effective written communication: Co-authored more than 115 peer-reviewed, highly cited primary research articles (Clarivate Top 1% of Cited Researchers in the World for 2023 and 2024) in high impact journals including Science and Nature Medicine.-Effective oral communication: Invited to present at multiple international conferences and regular guest lecturer, particularly as a Key Opinion Leader in building human biorepositories for multiple translational downstream 'omic applications and in gastrointestinal cancer prevention-Capital raising: Secured >$30M in funding from non-profit (Stand Up to Cancer, Cancer Research UK, American Association for Cancer Research, American Gastroenterological Association), government (NIH, NIDDK, NCI), and industry (Lumicell, Inc., ZOE Global Ltd., Freenome, Exact Sciences, DNAGenotek) partners.-Foster Innovative and Visionary Collaborations: Founding and driving member of international, multidisciplinary consortia (SU2C Gastric Cancer Interception Team, SU2C Colorectal Cancer Health Equity Dream Team, Cancer Grand Challenges Team PROSPECT, COronavirus Pandemic Epidemiology (COPE) consortium)-Mentor, Team Leader, and Effective Program Manager: Manages a team of 12 individuals in day-to-day clinical and translational research operations in both wet and dry lab techniques across our portfolio of research projects and more than a dozen clinical trials. Primarily mentored more than 20 individuals at various early career stages leading to successful launching of independent careers.

My dissertation focused on the potential role of human aberrant crypt foci, the earliest precancerous lesions of the colon, as surrogate markers of cancer risk. The diminutive nature of these lesions has necessitated the use and innovation of novel approaches to address hypotheses centered on cancer initiation (see publications). This work has direct clinical significance and the results have provided new measures for personalized colon cancer risk assessments. As the project lead (P.I.: D.W. Rosenberg), I was responsible for directing and performing the bulk of the laboratory work. Additionally, I was tasked with leading and coordinating the clinical study. As such I managed the day-to-day operation of a large team of administrators, regulatory personnel, clinicians, and research staff to meet our research goals. Since taking over as the project lead, patient accruals and productivity increased two-fold, resulting in a ten year high in annual procedures. In addition, during this time, state and federal grants were secured to ensure the long-term success of the research study.

Served as a part-time analyst, drawing on my experiences as a researcher and consultant, to provide regulatory assistance and clinical trial strategic planning in order to secure initial venture capital investments.

As a Research Analyst, I was a leading member of a multi-disciplinary, advanced degree team to form a business plan and deliver results directly to a new biotechnology joint venture. My role specifically focused on identifying barriers to entry associated with foreign and domestic regulatory policies, developing strategies to effectively navigate these regulatory pathways, innovating alternative applications of the patented device to expand their intellectual property portfolio, and designing efficient clinical trial pipelines. As a unit, the team produced a comprehensive analysis of all potential markets, projecting over $40 million in annual revenue by year five.

Responsible for two assay development research projects while serving as a teaching assistant. The first project focused on establishing high-throughput compliment assays to screen candidate drug compounds for cellular toxicity and their metabolized byproducts (using MALDI-TOF). The second aimed to develop an in vitro biochemical assay to measure matrix metalloproteinase protein-signaling interactions important in wound healing and a potential role in cancer metastasis. Both assays are still currently in use by these laboratories. Following the selection of my dissertation research laboratory and advisor, my advisor decided to depart Rensselaer for another academic institution. However, I identified that translational research was what I was most passionate about and Rensselaer did not offer replacement opportunities particular to my field of interest. As a result, I transferred to the UConn Health Center to continue my doctoral studies.

By studying natural variation of the rice genus Oryza, these projects aimed to determine quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Oryza species to enhance the performance of modern, high-yielding rice cultivars in order to grow rice in harsh climate conditions primarily located in developing countries.