Leading the development of automated immunoassay diagnostic tests.

Hired as Senior Scientist and promoted to Staff Scientist to lead development, qualification, and validation of multiplexed magnetic bead immunoassays for protein biomarkers related to cancer, inflammation, acute phase, TH17, and signal transduction based on Luminex’s technology.* Drove cross-functional team of R&D Technical Development, QC, QA, Manufacturing, and Marketing.* Introduced SOPs to improve manufacturability lot-to-lot consistency and robustness of assays.* Development of in-vitro and in-vivo models for biomarker discovery.* Single-authored a granted patent titled: "Assays Using Avidin and Biotin" WO2017083302A* Evaluation of Human recombinant antibodies for use with WB, ELISA, and Luminex applications.* Development of fluorescence multiplexing protocol for Western Blotting. Poster Human Proteome World Organization 2014.* The following tech notes were authored:https://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6110.pdfhttp://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6504.pdfhttp://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6330.pdfhttp://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6331.pdf

Discovery and validation of protein biomarkers predictive of Metabolic Diseases. This work led to the published discovery of IL-1RA as positively associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Herder C, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2017).

Recruited from UCSF to lead a team of 6-8 direct report scientists, including postdoctoral fellows, PhDs, and research associates in developing novel IVD blood tests for neurodegenerative diseases. This assay has been demonstrated by NIBSC (UK) to be the most sensitive method for detecting misfolded prions among 6 research groups (Cooper JK et al. Vox Sang. 2012).* Established collaborations with the National Institute of Biological Controls in the UK and academic researchers in order to advance the company’s research program.* Prepared patent applications to secure intellectual property. * Awarded Novartis Diagnostics' “Ideation Award” for contribution to the Innovation Initiative, 2008.* Winner of Novartis Diagnostics' “Inventor Recognition Award” for invention disclosure relating to the development of protein biomarker assay of neurodegenerative disease, 2005. * Presented program at international meetings and to the FDA Advisory Committee Meeting, 2006.* Managed biohazard labs levels 2 and 3.

Promoted by Nobel Laureate Stanley B. Prusiner to lead basic and translational research of prion neurodegeneration.* In collaboration with Dennis Burton from Scripps Inst., developed a large panel of phage-display recombinant (rFabs) specific to different conformations of the prion protein (PNAS 1997).* Demonstrated antibody-based immunotherapy in a cell culture model system of prion disease (Nature 2001 http://bit.ly/lvbWRP).* Developed several novel ELISAs, and biochemical methods to study changes in protein conformation and their effect on neuropathogenesis (J. Mol. Biol. 1997, Prot Sci 2001, Neuron 2002, and J. Virology 2006).* Contribution to the following studies: Cell 1999, EMBO 2001, PNAS 2002, and J Cell Biol 2003 (selected list).* Applied for patent applications to secure intellectual property.* Mentored postdoctoral fellows and research associates studying protein misfolding in neurodegeneration.