Biomedical Engineering

SNC Therapeutics Inc. employs a disruptive drug and nonviral gene delivery platform technology for rational immunotherapy. Our synthetic nanocarriers (SNCs) permit scalable, versatile, and controlled drug delivery to and/or transfection of diverse cell populations while minimizing toxicity and side effects.

Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine Du Lab

-Authored numerous successfully funded grants, including a Department of Defense (DOD) award of $1.5 million and an NIH R21 of $420 K-Lead a national research project for the DOD to assess the biocompatibility of a thermoresponsive citric acid-based polymer for autologous islet transplantation in pancreatitis patients using a nonhuman primate model; Tasks include collaboration with transplant surgeons and contractors, delegating tasks to senior scientist, presenting data, determining future project directions-Supported principal investigators in the launch of multi-institutional centers, including the Center for Regenerative Engineering (CARE), in pursuit of NSF ERC and NIH RM1 awards-Successfully lobbied the Graduate School to secure a budget of $200K to purchase a spectral flow cytometer, established a curriculum for instrument training and managed a core for collaborative use of the instrument -Recognized the potential threat of anti-poly(ethylene glycol) antibodies against common drugs prior to their association with the COVID-19 vaccine; Authored review article and developed mouse models to study these effects, resulting in 2 U.S. Patent Applications No. 17/071,653 (Filed 10/2020) and 63/092,019 (Conversion 10/2021)-Developed immunomodulatory nanotherapy that enables allogeneic transplant survival with less drug and fewer side effects, resulting in U.S. Patent Application No. 16/891,391 (Filed 6/2020)-Designed and authored IACUC protocols for rodent studies in accordance with ethical best practices; Negotiated revisions with veterinary staff and review committee

-Differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in a pulsatile flow bioreactor, resulting in vascular smooth muscle tissue with robust elastic fibers and responsiveness to chemical cues -Analyzed the use of acelluar and hiPSC-containing dextran and hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels for improved wound healing outcomes in an immunocompetent porcine model and immunodeficient diabetic murine model-Recognized inconsistencies in data collection method and implemented solutions to ensure data accuracy -Worked with a team of undergraduate students to ensure lab safety, cleanliness, and to manage inventory

• Managed process validation efforts globally for sequencing and sequencing preparation instruments• Developed software validation requirements, plans, protocols, and reports to meet requirements for FDA 21 CFR Part 11• Communicated expectations for quality performance, continuous improvement, quality systems, and process controls infrastructure for critical sustaining parts and new products• Acquired skills in SAP and Good Documentation Practices

-Designed an auditory drug delivery completion indicator for an autoinjector device -Collaborated with a medical device engineering team to evaluate mechanical testing results, which gave rise to more patient friendly drug delivery systems-Utilized professional development events to gain exposure to technical and financial aspects of the bio-pharmaceutical industry and drug development process, including drug discovery, regulatory approval, manufacturing and patient delivery

• Collaborated in research to determine the location of Clec16a protein binding sites involved in insulitis onset • Developed skills in polymerase chain reactions and gel electrophoresis

• Analyzed data, including patient surveys, procedure statistics, and x-rays, and made recommendations for further analysis in support of the following research publication: Saad, H, MD; Baker, E, MS; Baker, K, PhD; Carlson, N, RN; Buhovecky, T, RN; Grant, A, MD; Fortin, P, MD. Meniscal Allograft Transplantation for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Metatarsophalangeal Joint (MTP) of the Great Toe.• Developed skills in scientific writing, Microsoft Office, and presentation