Bioprocess Drug Substance Commercialization: Upstream Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences

Doctoral researcher in the Kelvin H. Lee Lab• Established transient and stable bioprocesses for protein production in HEK293 cells using SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) as a model protein• Developed vector characterization methods and led data compilation/manuscript writing initiatives as part of a three-university collaborative project to establish the first suspension recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) platform for the Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center (AMBIC) consortium• Developed molecular cloning, transfection, and cell culture methods to screen inducible rAAV expression cassettes in transient and stable contexts• Designed and implemented molecular biology and cell culture workflows to apply CRISPR/Cas9, recombinase, and transposase technologies to study strategies for generation of HEK293-based rAAV packaging and producer cell lines

Merck Manufacturing Leadership Development Rotational Program (MMLDP), technical track.• September 2017 - August 2018 (Rotation 3): Setup of new quality systems across plant site and support of equipment validation in the Biologics Integrated Process Team in Brinny, Ireland• August 2016 - September 2017 (Rotation 2): Bulk powders characterization, risk assessment, and regulatory filing authoring to support drug product process development activities in the Center for Materials Science & Engineering in Rahway, NJ• August 2015 - July 2016 (Rotation 1): Technical operations support for process improvements and changes in Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine manufacturing in West Point, PA

Dr. Todd Przybycien Lab• Characterized binding kinetics of immunoglobulin G antibodies with multiple forms of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified protein A by analysis by bio-layer interferometry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy• Analyzed relationship between binding capacity and antibody concentration for protein A resins by generation of Langmuir isotherm plots

• Built an inventory control database to track supply usage in Barrier Operations formulation and filling• Organized warehouses with a barcoded Kanban card system to maintain stable inventory levels• Trained in cGMP practices and aseptic manufacturing/gowning techniques

Dr. Kris Dahl Lab• Altered liquid cell environments to modify nuclear chromatin and histone condensation states and captured changes through fluorescence microscopy images• Quantified DNA and protein distribution of images in MATLAB to investigate targets for disease treatment

• Designed and implemented mechanical solutions that improved carton product flow through a two story spiral blast freezer with maintenance staff• Compiled a tracker for equipment switched during changeovers for total productive maintenance implementation

• Produced and purified recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli cells to analyze their binding kinetics to understand their potential as targets for small molecule breast and ovarian cancer therapies at the Rudy L. Ruggles Biomedical Research Institute