Justin De La Cruz, Phd Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, California, US

• Crafted best-practice sales motions for Benchling software, enabling scientific solution consultants (SSC) to successfully engage with customers on how to model operational workflows, structure data capture, and.
• Provided solution consulting, design, and implementation support to 50+ opportunities representing over $8M total ARR.
• Leveraged scientific expertise to influence software’s product design, market strategy, and business value teams on product development to deliver effective digital, scientific transformation to customers.
• Created technical assets including demo recordings, presentations, and webinars to drive global enablement and marketing.

Brisbane, California, US

• Managed a core team of scientists and analysts dedicated to rapid, high throughput analytical testing needs within Sangamo’s PD and R&D departments for cell and gene therapy programs.
• Established cross-training matrix to ensure technical coverage for highly requested analytical tests.
• Partnered with internal automation group to standardize end-to-end automation of complex molecular and cell-based assays to support upstream & downstream process optimization.
• Designed and implemented strategy to utilize digital notebooks for streamlining data governance (data trending, traceability) and sample management (real-time inventory, access permission).

Redwood City, California, US

• Developed processes for all laboratory operations, data governance, and management of the Development Testing Center (DTC) per requirements presented by the TechDev team.
• Built strategic models for operations budgeting (procurement, personnel development, recurring expenses) and forecasting (performance, risks, mitigations, and opportunities).
• Streamlined implementation of a digital notebook platform for automated equipment, material, workflow, and results management.
• Hired, trained scientific staff to perform technology transfer, implementation, and execution of analytical test methods for AAV-mediated gene therapy program.
• Hired, onboarded managers to oversee lab operations and testing (in-house and CRO) and to maintain training & quality compliance.

San Rafael, CA, US

• Analyzed, trended, and reviewed quality control release and stability testing data for two AAV-mediated gene therapy programs.
• Supported Pre-Licensing Approval Inspection (PLI) readiness and authorship of phase-appropriate protocols & reports in accordance with CMC and regulatory requirements as needed to support clinical trials and regulatory.
• Guided the transfer of 20+ analytical methods from analytical development to QC and oversaw method optimization, criteria development, validation, documentation, and/or lifecycle management.
• Hired, trained M.S. scientists in driving overall team performance in technical delivery, GxP/safety compliance, and inter-departmental collaboration.

Novato, California, US

• Managed development, technical transfer, and method qualification / validation per ICH guidelines of quantitative molecular assays for AAV-mediated gene therapy program.
• Collaborated with partner CRO testing laboratories on method performance trending, deviations, investigations, root cause analysis, and change controls.
• Partnered with AD, MSAT, QA, and technical operations teams to achieve focused initiatives for in-process, release, and stability testing required for clinical trials.
• Hired, trained scientists to demonstrate technical proficiency in projects and programs and show initiative, creativity, decision-making skills, dedication, and drive.

South San Francisco, California, US

• Paired with Business Development as scientific SME for customer engagements leading to development of customized products.
• Enabled client contract by delivering cell-based in vitro companion diagnostic (CDx) measuring neutralizing antibody titer against AAV-mediated gene therapy
• Enabled client contract by delivering qPCR methods to rapidly quantify respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) viral load
• Patent of invention: De La Cruz, Justin. 2016. Compositions and Methods for Use in a Multiplex PCR Assay for Determining the Genotype and Viral Load for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. U.S. Patent Publication number.

South San Francisco, California, US

Palo Alto, CA, US

• Recipient of NIH R03 Small Grant Program Award and NIH K12 Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA)
• Evaluated determinants of archived reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance, retention and decay during effective, second-line suppression to develop future human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment options and.

San Jose, CA, US

• Recipient of K12 NIH-sponsored Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) for postdoctoral scientists interested in teaching students underrepresented in science
• As part of teaching responsibilities for IRACDA fellowship, designed and taught curriculum for upper division, advanced Biology majors

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Biomedical Science Enrichment Program (BISEP), a NIH-supported course for students from underrepresented communities in science
• Instructor for biotechnology and laboratory component for first-year students pursuing research careers in the biomedical sciences. Supervised teaching and lab assistants, led weekly group and lab discussions, and.

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Measured fitness cost of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) escape mutations on HIV-1 replication in treatment-naïve subjects expressing HLA-I types not implicated with immune control

Postdoctoral, Medicine - Infectious Diseases

Phd, Microbiology, Immunology, And Molecular Genetics

Bs, Molecular Biology, Honors