Dynamic leader driving scientific strategy and development of engineered Treg cell therapy at Abata. Lead Nonclinical and Translational Medicine departments. Experience:1. Nonclinical Development: Oversee team that is leading development and execution of nonclinical strategy for Treg cell therapy IND filings.2. Translational Medicine Team Builder: Established and lead team for developing and executing translational medicine strategy for MS and T1D programs.3. Treg Pharmacology Oversight: Provided strategic oversight for in vitro and in vivo pharmacology that support regulatory filings4. Data Sciences Leadership: Directed development of data science strategies supporting various functional areas of Abata's business.

1. Managed TCR Discovery team to successfully generate development candidate TCRs for MS and T1D programs.2. Directed Treg Pharmacology team in the creation of IND enabling assays and the drafting of reports for regulatory submissions.3. Oversaw TCR Risk Mitigation team in devising strategies to mitigate risks associated with candidate TCRs.

As Abata's first employee reporting to the CSO, I spearheaded various key responsibilities:1. Research Strategy:Designed and led Abata’s TCR screening platform for the flagship MS program (ABA101).Built the research platform from scratch to development candidate nomination within 15 months.Directed the creation of a single-cell multiomics pipeline for TCR discovery.Oversaw the development of novel TCR library technology.Collaborated with Technical Operations for natural Treg sort strategies.Managed the development of assays for cell therapy product.2. Infrastructure:Designed and established Abata’s research facilities at 215 First St. Cambridge.Procured core equipment and laboratory supplies.Managed applications for Cambridge safety permits and lab information systems.Installed the Benchling ELN system and engaged with core facilities.3. Team:Recruited and formed a research team aligned with Abata’s mission.Prioritized candidate selection for skill, cultural fit, and diversity.Organized and led the immunology team, comprising TCR Discovery, Treg Pharmacology, and TCR Risk Mitigation.Established a streamlined pipeline from target identification to candidate nomination.4. Pipeline:Supported research strategies for ABA-201 (T1D) and ABA-301 (IBM).Led efforts for DC nomination and IND-enabling studies for both programs.5. Corporate Communication/Company Strategy:Regularly communicated research activity/strategy to Abata’s executive team and BOD committees.Prepared materials for investor meetings and conducted due diligence on potential partners and technologies.

Supported multiple programs at different stages:1. Supported translational and MOA studies for IL-27 (SRF388) and CD39 (SRF617) programs by developing gene expression signatures, and coordinating between Translational Science and Immunobiology to explore PD/biomarkers strategies.2. Established Surface Oncology's Systems Immunology and Data Science group, developed single cell RNA-seq and CITE-seq pipelines, identified emerging technologies to support biomarker/translational studies, and supported all programs in different stages of development.3. As a target discovery lead for the New Targets/New Technologies group, developed computational tools for target discovery, built two trade secret applications (SOSAS and SOMICS) for novel target identification, moved a novel cytokine target to validation phase, identified and proposed various other novel targets for ratification, and worked in a cross-functional team to facilitate partnership and collaboration with academic groups.

1. Served as Project Lead on Target #5 by managing and developing early discovery activities for an NK cell target, advancing early-stage antibody discovery efforts, developing antibody differentiation strategies, and leading the early working group for NK cell target programs.2. Managed external relationships with Christopher Hunter's group at UPenn for MOA studies on IL-27, established and managed a relationship with Lewis Lanier for consultation on NK-related biology, actively managed relationships with Data4Cure, Seven Bridges Genomics for bioinformatics and analytical solutions, and developed single-cell RNA-seq proposals for circulating biomarker studies with external collaborators.

Laboratory of Dr. Christophe Benoist and Dr. Diane Mathis1. In collaboration with Pfizer Immuno-science:- Studied network pharmacology of novel small molecule Jak kinase inhibitors.- Defined cytokine signatures for IFN-I, IL-2, IL-12, IL-10 and IL-6 in ex vivo B cells, NK cells and T-cells.- Identified components of cytokine signatures that were specifically inhibited by Tofacitinib, Baracitinib and novel Jak1, Jak3, Tyk2 and Pan-Jak inhibitors2. As a participant of the Immunological Genome Project:- Extensively studied the immunological response to type-1 IFN- Characterized dose response of IFN-I signature genes (ISG)- Showed that tonicity of ISG expression is a function of dose and is related to dependence on Tyk2 signal transduction- Systematically studied genomic effects of intestinal microbiota on peripheral immunity- Optimized strategies for sorting and gene expression studies in eleven splenic immunocyte populations from a single murine spleen.- Showed that peripheral immunological profiles are intact in germ-free mice.- Systematically generated circadian gene expression profiles from steady state C57/B6 NK cells, B cells and bone marrow granulocytes.3. As part of the AIRE group in the laboratory:- Identified microRNAs (miR-34c, miR-449a, miR-290-3p) that are AIRE dependent in medullary thymic epithelial cells.

I believe strongly in developing science and technology in Africa and maintain an active role developing research programs and mentoring African graduate students.I am an investigator on collaborative research projects at the Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaSpecific projects I have worked on include:• Immuno-regulatory mechanisms in preeclampsia associated with HIV.• Dysregulation of protective immunity by HIV/MTB co-infection.• Mitochondrial modulation during hyperglycemia.• Toxicogenomics and systems toxicology of mycotoxins.

Leadership, Equity and Advancement ProgramSchool of Medical Sciences1. Principal investigator on the following research projects:• MicroRNA biomarkers of Tuberculosis.• SNPs and their impact on microRNA dynamics in inflammatory disease.2. Taught biochemistry and toxicology courses to undergraduate/graduate science and medical students.3. Syllabus development on modules in bioinformatics, biostatistics and current topics in immunology.

1. Co-investigator on the following research projects:• Telomere dynamics in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. • Pleural effusion immunology in HIV / Tuberculosis co-infection. • Natural killer cells in patients with Herpes simplex virus.• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) drug development.• Autoimmunity in hyperhidrosis.2. Provide technical support and mentorship to graduate students.• Designed multicolor FACS experiments, experimental strategies for SNP and gene expression studies.

Mycotoxin Research Unit, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute1. Establish and manage molecular biology research laboratory de novo.2. Operate and maintain flow cytometry core laboratory.3. Conduct and manage research.List of projects worked on:• Biomarkers of TB pleural effusions in a cohort of South African HIV positive patients.• Lymphocyte counts in HIV positive mothers treated with anti-retroviral drugs.• Apoptosis in giant cell bone tumours.4. Maintenance of laboratory reagents and consumables.

1. Performed routine FACS and PCR analysis on HIV positive PBMCs from patients enrolled in HIVEX clinical trial