Senior Scientist, Oncology Discovery, bluebird bio, Seattle, WA• Spearheaded platform development to incorporate high dimensional analysis at early discovery stages of CAR T▪ Supervised team of 8 cross-functional scientists and associates▪ Collaborated with data scientists to integrate single cell RNA analysis to CAR T preclinical characterization▪ Built database for transcriptic and phenotypic signature of CAR T signaling• Supported discovery efforts from target nomination, HIT identification, optimization through to IND-filling for 2 internal products• Developed new strategies and technologies to enhance TCR potency to overcome tumor microenvironment suppression▪ Built next-generation TCR candidates with multi-targeted signal convertors

• Project lead on team consisting of computational, molecular biologist, and immunologist to streamline CAR-T testing and validation in vitro▪ Successfully built high-throughput combinatorial screening system in primary T-cells to evaluate 1000’s of binders, and optimized CAR-T architecture• Resolved TCR expression problem by rationally engineering protein domains in collaboration with external partners▪ Enhanced correct TCR pairing to > 95%• Supervised protein sciences work to provide crucial reagents for Anti-Drug Antibodies assays to BCMA pre-clinical team• Supervised 2 direct reports on experimental strategies, and day to day operations

• Accomplished two major financial company milestones for gene editing as a part of acquisition deal• Authored 5 patents on nuclease development and refinement• Established lead nucleases with high gene editing efficiency and specificity in HSCs and T-cells for gene therapy▪ Generated and screened nuclease libraries on yeast surface to target immune regulatory and hemoglobinopathy targets▪ Devised novel approach to increase target specificity▪ Enhanced nuclease stability to enhance function at physiological conditions• Built protein engineering team, and actively participated in recruiting and training 5 FTEs

Protein Engineer

•Design and execute experiments to validate Crohn’s disease associated protein as therapeutic target-- Develop hypothesis to elucidate the activation mechanism of NOD2 and verify it by building structural model using secondary structure prediction algorithm-- Implement the model to engineer peptides that enhance the response of loss of function mutants in mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) and hPBMC (primary cells)

•Executed multiple projects in parallel, planned tasks to achieve goals in realistic time-frame, maintained flexibility among projects in the anticipation of potential setback•Published 2 papers and 1 book chapter on targeting ERK-2 signaling pathway using FN3 as biologics -- Implemented novel technique during library screening to target pre-defined epitope which resulted in highly selective hits and eliminated downstream step of epitope mapping-- Optimized and validated the lead by conducting affinity maturation, biophysical characterization, forced degradation assays, and in vitro functional assays-- Designed in vivo studies (C. elegans) in collaboration with biologists to suppress mutant phenotype •Developed and published 2 independent high throughput methods to detect protein interactions -- Worked as a team to design structure-based disulfide trapping (STUCKED) method on yeast surface-- Applied STUCKED to engineer streptavidin heterodimer and study p53-MDM2 interaction-- Collaborated with pharmaceutical scientists to develop proximity induced biotinylation method (MIB) that identified dynamic interactions and post-translationally modified complexes•Conducted meetings with collaborators to outline objectives, prioritize tasks, kept project on track by addressing concerns and exchanging constructive feedback. •Trained and supervised of 4 graduate and 4 undergraduate students on specific scientific techniques •Presented research work clearly and confidently at conferences and department symposium, adapted the content based on the background of audience. •Served as department ambassador to help and encourage prospective students by answering questions and conducting lab tours•Maintained lab records/protocols/supplies, negotiated with vendors on price, budgeted monthly expenses, submitted monthly financial report to procurement card administrator in timely manner

Courses: Chemical engineering lab II (CE 327), Chemical engineering lab III (CE 427)Instructed laboratory sessions of 60+ students with minimum supervision, prepared reagents, developed weekly lab practicum, evaluated final reports and presentation content

Courses: Colloid and surface phenomena (CE 457/527),Biochemical engineering (CE 446/547)Graded assignments, proctored exams, and mentored students individually during office hours

Courses: Applied Medical and Engineering Biology (BE 202), Biomaterials and Mechanics (BE 305)Designed and led weekly recitation sections, held quizzes, lectured in absence of instructor and graded assignments

•Fabricated silk fibroin/gelatin multilayered scaffold for controlled drug release-- Evaluated biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and structural properties of the multilayer -- Worked closely with professionals in the field of confocal and scanning electron microscopy, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to characterize the scaffold

Courses: Biochemistry lab, Plant biotechnology labLaboratory instructor for class size of 60 students, led discussions and review sessions to clarify biotechnological principles

Studied the effects of lysosomotropic amine on the cytotoxicity of plant polypeptide toxin in CHO cells

Plant tissue culture, micropropagated of medicinal plants and extracted bioactive molecules using rotavapor, sonicator, ion exchange columns, HPTLC, and GC-MS

Identified and characterized bacterial strains from 50+ patient samples using biochemical tests, immunological techniques such as radioimmunoassay, ELISA and agglutination