Responsible for target identification, validation, and pipeline entry for new programs for the Cerevel pipeline.

Responsible for genetics across the entire Cerevel pipeline, from target identification and validation to genetic plans and analyses in clinical trials.

Head of the group at Merck responsible for genetic target discovery and validation efforts for the neuroscience therapeutic areas. Lead collaborations in multiple areas (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, Pain, etc) working to identify disease causal variants in druggable genes. Act as the Merck representative to the ADNI and PPMI genetic core teams, and interact heavily with Merck Pharmacogenetics group.Currently leading multiple Merck genetic collaborations, including- Whole genome sequencing of ALS cases and controls- Mega-GWAS of ALS - First GWAS of Dementia with Lewy bodies- Whole exome sequencing of Parkinson disease (clinical trials and target ID efforts)- RNAseq of postmortem brain tissue (100s of cases of various neurodegenerative disease and controls)

Head of the genetics group within Informatics and Analysis, Exploratory and Translation Sciences. Group consists of 10 PhD level statistical or diseased-based geneticists. Oversee collaborations with Beijing Genomics Institute, approve pharmacogenetic plans for clinical trials. Oversee work for genetic-based target discovery projects.

Led the group responsible for tracking and executing all objectives within Molecular Profiling for the Neuroscience and siRNA therapeutics Franchises. Primary focus was the development of biomarkers for use in clinical trials, target discovery, and design of siRNAs for clinical trials.Organized and chaired the committee that develops strategy for, and oversees genome-wide association studies (GWAS), targeted genetic studies, and clinical pharmacogenomic/ genetic biomarker studies in the Neuroscience Franchise at Merck.Chaired the teams responsible for pharmacogenetic analysis (both GWAS and targeted genotyping) in Merck Phase III trials for CGRP antagonists for treatment of migraine, and for targeted genotyping in multiple Phase II Alzheimer's disease trials.Initiated study with MRL Genetics group examining 1 million SNPs and 500k RNAs in 3000 postmortem brain samples to determine the genetic variants that affect brain RNA expression/splicing. The resulting list is used in Phase 2/3 clinical trials to identify genetic biomarkers for responder/non-responder identification and disease stratification.Led group that validated apoE as a disease stratification biomarker for rate of progression in Alzheimer's disease. First genetic biomarker to be used in the neuroscience franchise at Merck.

siRNA Screening- APP MetabolismLed the team (consisting of 20 members over 5 sites) which performed the first genome-wide siRNA screen at Merck & Co., Inc. This screen examined the role of 15,000 genes in the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to make amyloid (Abeta40 and Abeta42). siRNA Screening- Oligomeric Abeta ReceptorOrganized and led the team which performed the siRNA screen to identify the Oligomeric Abeta receptor. Envisioned the screen design, and help to develop the mouse siRNA library which was used. Merck-Celera CollaborationActed as lead scientist within Merck on the genome-wide association study of putative functional variants to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (in collaboration with Celera Diagnostics). Microarray AnalysisLed the design and analysis of all microarray studies in the neuroscience franchise, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, pain, and sleep disorders.

High-Throughput Assay for Small Molecule TargetsLed the team which developed the first high-throughput screen for small molecule targets in neuroscience at CuraGen Corporation. Transfected cell lines with hundreds of cDNAs to assess changes in cellular phenotypePrediction of Clinical Drug EfficacyCo-chaired a team which developed a platform to predict drug action based upon genomic expression profile. Work was highlighted as Editor's Choice in Science, Science's STKE, and Nature Reviews.

Development of Molecular Biology at Harvard Brain BankSet up first molecular biology lab at the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center; developed methodology for double in situ hybridization in rat and postmortem human brain; awarded funding by both NIH and NARSAD for early microarray studies in postmortem brain.

Developed surgery for wire-knife cut entorhinal cortex lesion surgery in mouse (first description in literature), established functional link between estrogen and apoE in mRNA expression, response to lesion and synaptogenesis. Received NIH funding (NRSA) for 2 years.