Responsible for developing an integrated disease area strategy for a rare cholestatic liver disease. • Independently drove the assembly of a comprehensive strategy document comprising a pathophysiological assessment of the disease, biomarker and translational plans, and a competitive landscape analysis. • Obtained guidance and alignment from colleagues in diverse functions including clinical development, evidence/outcomes research, and medical affairs. • Supported business development in identifying and triaging external opportunities for the liver disease area strategy. • Collaborated with colleagues and department leadership on a new dermatology and rheumatology indication landscaping prioritization exercise.

Led multiple microbiome therapeutic programs, including live biotherapeutic products and small molecule modalities for GI diseases. • Achieved GI DDU Portfolio Impact award by leading a cross-functional team through diligence, in-licensing, and Portfolio Entry milestone in ~12 months. • Collaborated in designing/executing translational studies and supported early clinical trial design for microbiome therapeutics. • Managed collaborations with academic physician scientists to generate translational data for biomarker development, clinical trial design, and indication expansion. • Acted as scientific lead on matrix teams, partnered programs, and academic collaborations focused on microbiome-based GI therapies. • Established relationships and collaborated with microbiome scientific leaders, KOLs, academic partners, and CROs, serving as a subject matter expert. • Participated in evaluating and forming new partnerships for the microbiome therapeutics portfolio.

Led a team of scientists in preclinical microbiome-based drug discovery programs spanning microbiology, natural products, analytical chemistry, high-throughput biological screening, and cellular immunology research (4 direct reports). • Built and maintained global cross-departmental research collaborations, acting as the key liaison between the microbiome group and stakeholders. • Identified external partnership opportunities and presented deal proposals to NIBR leadership with BD colleagues. • Collaborated with senior management to leverage emerging microbiome research to shape strategy of internal/external programs. • Managed academic research collaborations resulting in several high impact publications. • Promoted microbiome activities company-wide by delivering seminars and identified collaborative/synergistic opportunities. • Honed mentorship and management skills through associate and postdoctoral trainee mentorship and M1 management training.

• Designed, managed, and executed a research project focused on deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolism of therapeutic drugs by bacteria that inhabit the human gut, under the mentorship of Dr. Peter J. Turnbaugh, a leader in the human microbiome field• Mastered cutting edge techniques, including: RNA-seq and metagenomic analyses; anaerobic microbiology; next generation sequencing library preparation; and gnotobiotic mouse models• Delivered important breakthroughs in the mechanistic understanding of the microbial inactivation of the widely-used pharmaceutical, digoxin, leading to publication in the scientific research journal Science with >350 citations to date