John Decker Email & Phone Number

Durham, Nc, Us

Cary, North Carolina, United States

Helped launch a company-wide strategic pivot to targeted LNP technology development as one of two initial scientific team members on the project, and assisted in training as the team grew to 6.Helped to lead the conception and technical development of a full-spectrum validation pipeline for targeted LNPs, including ligand activity, nanoparticle physical properties and stability, and functional readouts of cell-specific internalization and transfection.Established cell culture and analysis capabilities at Atom Bioworks from the ground up, including self-taught multicolor flow cytometry and primary cell culture.Led team-wide improvement efforts in various process areas. For example, conceived and implemented new scientific record keeping practices aimed to increase shared understanding, ensure data integrity, and prompt critical thinking, while minimizing documentation workload.Designed, ran, analyzed, and/or reported on numerous assays including ligand binding by SPR, flow cytometry, and plate-based methods, as well as cell phenotyping and measurement of LNP functionality by flow cytometry.

Lynch Lab, Department Of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University

Led development and tech transfer of a bioprocess for a clinical-stage antiviral protein supporting projected COGS savings of approximately 90% relative to the existing state-of-the-art process. Conducted process design, fermentation, development and optimization of novel purification operations, product characterization and assay development, process documentation, and process simulation and technoeconomic analysis.Assisted in the conception and writing of a funded NIH R61-R33 grant for a novel viral diagnostic assay design involving engineered antiviral proteins. Conducted protein structure-guided design, protein purification and characterization, and theoretical modeling of assay sensitivity.Extensive experience in bioprocessing methods including fermentation, harvest and lysis, FPLC, TFF, NFF, and precipitation. Originated a multi-modal precipitation operation and used design of experiments to optimize it, achieving approximately 2.5, 3.5, and 4+ log reductions in endotoxin, host-cell proteins and nucleic acids in a single step. Validated microliter to liter scaleup of the operation and achieved single-step integration with cell lysis.Extensive experience in protein characterization including SPR, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, structural analysis, residual DNA assays, and endotoxin assays. Developed and optimized multiple ELISA methods.Established pseudoviral systems, mammalian cell culture assays, and flow cytometry assays for testing product potency and mechanism against HIV and SARS-CoV-2.Mentored approximately 10 undergraduate students, including two years mentoring the Duke iGEM team. Taught protein production and analytical methods to numerous graduate and undergraduate students.

Led event planning and fundraising for a recently-founded student organization with approximately 100 members. Interfaced with intramural and external faculty to arrange scientific seminars and professional development talks. Developed scientific engagement activities.

Managed a team of 15+ writers and editors in production of an annual scientific journal. Wrote, edited and/or solicited items ranging from science news to artwork and original research. Interfaced with faculty to coordinate review process.

Gamlin Lab, Department Of Ophthalmology

Led an independent project investigating the control of eye movements in human subjects. Presented at national, regional and intramural conferences.

Traffic Injury Prevention Laboratory

Led research on distracted driving resulting in a first-authored publication and contributed to an additional co-authored publication.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.)

High School Diploma