I am a computational chemist with experience in the application of computer-assisted drug design (CADD) methods to drug discovery from lead generation and optimization to candidate selection. In my career, I have worked collaboratively with members of multidisciplinary teams to prosecute biomolecular targets of therapeutic potential, including G-protein coupled receptors, protein and lipid kinases and HIV-related targets.I have worked closely with medicinal chemists contributing to the design of novel bioactive molecules that improve binding affinity, selectivity and/or physicochemical properties. Methods employed include 3D pharmacophore and QSAR modeling and docking and scoring studies guided by SAR data to generate, evaluate and prioritize ideas. I also have experience in molecular target assessment, HTS analysis and triage, and chemical database mining/searching in addition to the design, enumeration and virtual screening of chemical libraries targeting G-protein coupled receptors, kinases and HIV-related targets for lead generation or SAR exploration. These works have contributed to 11 publications, two presentations and four patents.Additionally, I have supported the dolutegravir program through Phase IIb/III clinical trials and Post Launch, having constructed molecular models of wild-type and mutant HIV integrase enzymes in complex with viral DNA and inhibitor that structurally rationalize the drug’s clinical, in-vitro and biochemical profiles. I have been recognized for these contributions with two GSK Exceptional Science Awards. This work has been presented at eight international HIV-related conferences and has resulted in three publications.I have a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin. I also have a B.S. in Pharmacy from the same university, am a licensed pharmacist in Texas and am bilingual (English/Spanish).
Listed skills include Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Drug Design, Computational Chemistry, and 15 others.