Emma Purcell Email & Phone Number

Boston, MA, US

• Developed an isothermal amplification assay for multiplexed Lassa virus detection
• Led a cross-functional team of 6 researchers through primer screening, lateral flow development, matrix integration, and assay multiplexing of LAMP/SDA assays for Lassa virus
• Created a multiplexed LAMP assay for 3 representative Lineage II Lassa strains plus human control

• Integrated clinical vaginal and penile matrices into STI isothermal amplification assay
• Collaborated with teams across R&D to identify, test, and implement sample preparation methods to decrease amplification inhibition in clinical vaginal matrix
• Co-led a team of 6 scientists through biobanking, PCR assay development, and screening 1000+ clinical vaginal and penile meatal swabs for relevant STDs
• Designed and executed the testing of mock clinical specimens to compare Sherlock’s STD assays with external comparator technologies to prepare for clinical trial readiness
• Member of DEI team: curated materials for monthly company-wide discussions, led 3 sessionsEngineered methods for detecting chlamydia and gonorrhea from urine
• Identified and tested methods for isolating low-quantity bacteria from urine, including a 3D printed filter system, antibody capture via magnetic beads, and size-exclusion chromatography

• Characterized exosomes from tissue, blood, and primary cells
• Established methods to isolate exosomes from diverse sample types, including primary hepatocytes, plasma/serum, brain slides, whole tissues
• Developed downstream protocols to assay exosomal RNA and protein after isolation via microfluidic deviceUsed 3D hydrogel fibers to mimic prostate cancer for drug testing
• Fabricated and characterized 3D hydrogel fibers laden with prostate cancer cells to increase the accuracy of drug screening compared to 2D modelsDeveloped and led outreach events with the California Academy of Sciences.

• Dissertation work in the lab of Dr. Sunitha Nagrath: "Isolation and characterization of circulating biomarkers to predict patient outcomes in late-stage non-small cell lung cancer"Assayed exosomal cargoes as biomarkers.
• Identified that mutations in exosomal cargo correlate to patient outcomes in a pilot cohort of metastatic lung cancer patients receiving targeted therapiesIdentified predictive biomarker of survival for stage III lung.
• Applied immunofluorescent staining and RNA microarrays to characterize circulating tumor cells immobilized on a graphene oxide microfluidic device
• Correlated biomarker data to clinical data for patients receiving chemoradiation and immunotherapy to identify predictive biomarkersAdapted droplet microfluidic system to perform single-cell isolation
• Developed a collaboration to adapt a droplet microfluidic system for single, primary NK cell isolation to study how individual cells excrete biomarkers in-vitro
• Developed magnetic bead attachment and live cell quantification methods to be used within the system workflow

Awarded an NIH T32 Training Grant: Microfluidics in Biomedical Sciences Training Program (MBSTP). Developed and coordinated the MBSTP outreach program to engage young female students in microfluidic sciences.

Researcher in the Biological Interactions Center characterizing proteins and developing microfluidic technologies for protein science.

Colorado School Of Mines

Performed work in metabolic engineering with the goal of increasing terpenoid production from cyanobacteria.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Varsity Rowing