• Works with a team developing novel ultra-high throughput, cell-based assays using monodisperse microdroplets and microsphere technology allowing assay of large chemical libraries more quickly and using less cells and reagents than conventional techniques. Used DNA encoded libraries on beads.• Provided strategic guidance and experimental planning for stakeholders and mentored junior associates.• Developed a microfluidic assay system to sort single cells maintained in monodisperse… Show more • Works with a team developing novel ultra-high throughput, cell-based assays using monodisperse microdroplets and microsphere technology allowing assay of large chemical libraries more quickly and using less cells and reagents than conventional techniques. Used DNA encoded libraries on beads.• Provided strategic guidance and experimental planning for stakeholders and mentored junior associates.• Developed a microfluidic assay system to sort single cells maintained in monodisperse microdroplets based on intracellular calcium-fluorescent signals.• Developed a technique for encapsulation of single cells and organoids in monodisperse alginate microspheres with high viability used for imaging-based assays of cell function.• Instituted, developed and optimized confocal microscopic and flow cytometry techniques to assess target protein expression levels and function in microspheres.• Developed a FACS-based assay for sorting cells and organoids encapsulated in microspheres based on endogenous physiological signals to identify active chemotypes in compound library. Show less

• Provided strategic guidance and experimental planning for stakeholders including collaborations with external groups and CRO’s.• Oversaw experimental design and implementation of electrophysiological assays carried out by contract organizations (e.g., Neuroservice, Chantest) on multiple projects.• Provided input as biology contact for project teams working on small molecule pain and neurodegeneration targets.• Trained associates on screening platforms, cell culture including hIPSC… Show more • Provided strategic guidance and experimental planning for stakeholders including collaborations with external groups and CRO’s.• Oversaw experimental design and implementation of electrophysiological assays carried out by contract organizations (e.g., Neuroservice, Chantest) on multiple projects.• Provided input as biology contact for project teams working on small molecule pain and neurodegeneration targets.• Trained associates on screening platforms, cell culture including hIPSC derived neurons, managed workflows, responsible for troubleshooting and analysis.• Designed and optimized assays to screen small molecule compounds for voltage and ligand-gated ion channel pain targets using automated patch-clamp platforms (e.g., IonWorks Quattro, Barracuda, PatchXpress and Ionflux). Responsible for data analysis and presentation of data to the project teams for five target molecules.• Performed manual patch-clamp and multi-electrode array experiments to support projects and was responsible for the design and implementation of experiments and for reporting data to project teams.• Developed a brain-slice culture phenotypic assay to examine neuroinflammation for neurodegenerative disease targets. This involved optimization of brain slice culture preparation and techniques, immuocytochemistry optimization and imaging using the Operettta CLS.• Developed a human IPSC derived neuronal cell line and optimized growth, maintenance and culture conditions. Development of an IPSC-derived neuronal system to assess protein aggregation in models of neurodegenerative diseases. Developed a MEA-based functional assay to interrogate the role of several neurodegenerative targets on activity in these neurons. Show less

• Developed multiple brain slice assays to investigate small molecules for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and schizophrenia (i.e., a pharmacologically-induced oscillatory network activity assay, MEA extracellular recording assays to measure differences in synaptic transmission and plasticity in cortical and hippocampal brain slices from mouse genetic models of Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases).• Trained associates on assays and worked collaboratively to… Show more • Developed multiple brain slice assays to investigate small molecules for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and schizophrenia (i.e., a pharmacologically-induced oscillatory network activity assay, MEA extracellular recording assays to measure differences in synaptic transmission and plasticity in cortical and hippocampal brain slices from mouse genetic models of Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases).• Trained associates on assays and worked collaboratively to complete experimental workflows. Responsible for data analysis and reporting data to the project team and stakeholders. Show less

Responsible for managing a laboratory with two postdoctoral and four graduate level researchers. Oversaw research activities and budget expenditures in the laboratory.Study of regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission by growth factors using patch-clamp electrophysiology in primary neuronal culture and brain slices.

Electrophysiological study of plastic changes in intrinsic excitability and synaptic properties in a rhythm generating neural network.

Molecular and electrophysiological investigation of the mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythmic electrical output of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons in slice and primary culture.