Managing an R&D team, supervising 3-5 scientists, and overseeing a variety of projects and resourcesTackling stabilization challenges related to mRNA, lipid-based transfection reagents, antibodies, enzymes, and mammalian cellsConducting DOE experiments, addressing scientific challenges, developing novel formulations and analytical methods, and overseeing experimental execution and data interpretationStrengthening leadership and organizational design by building high-performing teams, nurturing talent, motivating scientific staff, and supporting team growth and career developmentPartnering with leadership and cross-functional teams to advance process development, product innovation, and commercialization

Established an R&D lab and expanded IPPrepared and optimized PLGA nanoparticle formulations loaded with test articles to target obesity and type 2 diabetes; characterized the drug product formulation using DLS, zeta potential, SEM, and TEMPlanned, led, and monitored studies for cell culture and animal experiments; participated in the selection processes for CMO and Chemistry, CMC; served as an active member of the scientific advisory committee and project management teamSupervised internship students

Designed, structurally and functionally modified various biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (including chitosan, PLGA, polyanhydride, and alpha-D-glucan) for delivering RNA and protein-based vaccines for infectious diseasesDeveloped intranasal and orally administrable mucosal vaccines for swine Influenza, poultry Salmonella, and ClostridiumCharacterized vaccine formulations using high-throughput techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, zeta potential analysis, and electrophoresisWorked on formulation downstream processes and scale-up; conducted in vitro and in vivo analyses to evaluate pharmacological and biological efficacyIsolated and characterized immunogenic vaccine candidates from infectious bacteria and virusesAssessed immune responses induced by formulations using antibody and cytokine ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, live imaging, qPCR, and flow cytometrySupervised two PhD students, one Master’s student, and three interns; took on a leadership role within a group of five members and executed multiple animal experiments involving larger animals

Formulated and characterized chitosan and PLGA nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugsDeveloped PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with RNA aptamers using carbodiimide chemistry for targeted siRNA deliveryEvaluated the efficacy of formulations in cancer cell lines and tumor xenograft mouse modelsGained hands-on experience with DLS, Zetasizer, AFM, FT-IR, electrophoresis, fluorescence microscopy, and qPCR