Insights & Solutions was established as a new capability in the Enablement Chapter in Global Procurement one year ago. To align to this new capability, I developed a Global team that focuses on co-creating, delivering, implementing and enhancing R&D solutions for complex business challenges and opportunities. Some of these challenges revolve around the implementation of a R&D digitalized lab to supercharge the scientific method and adoption of decentralised strategies and content re-usage to accelerate clinical trials. My team works together with different divisions in Roche (e.g. pRED, DIA, IT, Data and Analytics) by understanding external market trends to best address customer needs in an holistic and end-to-end approach.

Drive the success of the first-in-Roche Immunology Incubator program by working closely with the Global Head of the I2O DTA, as well as with I2O External Alliance, pRED Finance and pRED Communications to identify and select external opportunities, align with the Leadership Team (LT), supervise contracts negotiation and signature, allocate resources and align internal and external communication. Mediate between the Immunology Incubator PIs and the I2O extended Leadership Team (eLT) to ensure execution of the I2O vision, while building collaboration between the two parties.

During my time within Biotransformation Innovation Platform, I was promoted to a management position to oversee the molecular biology and genetic engineering department and its operations. I directly supervise and motivate a competent team of 4 principal investigators, 2 post-docs and 5 technicians, and indirectly manage an entire department of close to 30 scientists. I spearhead and manage multidimensional projects from inception to completion, comprising microbial protein production using recombinant DNA technology in a variety of host factories. I engage with local and international SMEs as well as international MNCs to address industry pain points and promote research agreements. Key Contributions:⇨ Succeeded in securing a US$ 8.8M grant to develop next-generation synthetic biology, fermentation capability and downstream processing at BIP.

In this role I recruit and promote outstanding talent as well as acquire and adopt disruptive technology to dissect molecular mechanisms of resistance to chemical or genetic perturbations in yeast and mammalian cells, for target prioritization in antifungal and anticancer therapy. I supervise the evolution of human patient cells for target discovery for rare genetic diseases linked to aging (progeroid syndromes). I steer the training and mentorship of 2 postdocs, 2 Ph.D. students, 3 technicians, and 2 interns.Key Contribution:⇨ Attained the highly competitive NRF Investigatorship award, valued US$ 2.2M, published 12 research articles, including top-ranking journals such as Nature Reviews Genetics and Science.

Supervised and managed industry collaboration projects from conception to completion regarding protein production using recombinant technology. Held the credit for improving industrial strains to optimize biomaterial production processes by metabolic engineering. Devised, created, and defined novel strategies based on experimental evolution for non-GMO production of biomolecules for the consumer care and food industry. Steered the establishment and maintenance of a fully automated robotic platform for execution of complex protocols for molecular biology, cell-based screens, and cell-based assays. Ran, encouraged, and motivated a team of 2 post-docs and 7 technicians in a matrix environment.Key Contribution:⇨ Forged, sustained, and managed a research collaboration with a leading US-based biomaterial production company.⇨ Forged and managed the set up of an automated lab platform for the execution of complex protocols.

As Principal Investigator, I diligently performed various duties as a laboratory head of the Aneuploidy and Genome Instability Lab, including devising strategies to evolve yeast cells using high-throughput lab automation for target prioritization of antifungal drug therapy. I directed the dissection of molecular mechanisms of genome instability in cancer. I fostered robust collaboration and communication with both national and international (US and Europe) scientific and medical research groups. I supported and guided a research team of 2 postdocs, 1 Ph.D. student and 2 technicians.Key Contribution:⇨ Successfully published 9 research articles, including in top-ranking journals such as Cell, and secured numerous prestigious grants and awards, amounting to US $3M.

⇨ Delivering lectures and coordinating tutorials within a Cancer Biology course for undergraduate students.⇨ Delivering lectures within a Foundation Course in Molecular and Cell Biology for graduate students.

In this tenure, I led a complex multi-disciplinary project to experimentally evolve yeast cells inactivated of essential genes and dissected the molecular mechanisms of adaptation. I developed expert knowledge and understanding of key competencies in lab automation, advanced imaging, and genomics. Boosted 2 Ph.D. students’ skills and capabilities by mentoring and training.Key Contribution:⇨ Authored 5 research articles in top-ranking journals, including first-author papers in Cell and Nature.

In this tenure, I led a complex multi-disciplinary project between two different institutes (University of Milano-Bicocca and IFOM Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan) and scientific fields (structural and cell biology) to elucidate molecular mechanisms that safeguard cells from genome instability. Key Contribution:⇨ Authored 2 research articles in leading international journals.

In this tenure, I led a research project in the field of yeast molecular genetics and in vivo phosphorylation sites mapping by mass spectrometry in collaboration with the laboratory of Prof. Mike Stark (Wellcome Trust, Dundee, UK). Wrote and defended a Ph.D. thesis. Boosted 2 M.Sc. students’ skills and capabilities by mentoring and training.Key Contribution:⇨ Authored 2 original research articles in leading international journals