Serve as the lead for early development/pipeline programs specifically for publications, congress management, and content/resource development and training/education for field and in-house medical teams. Assist in developing pre-launch strategies for Parkinson's disease and rare disease. Support the clinical development of two-phase III clinical trials by identifying potential sites, attending site initiation visits, and providing onsite and virtual protocol training to Principle Investigators and their clinical staff. Develop scientific content/curricula and onboarding training plans for Parkinson’s and rare diseases. Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with Key Opinion Leaders across the Southern half of the United States.

Develop and maintain relationships with Key Opinion Leaders in the Heartland region to support the Neurology portfolio at UCB specifically focused on Epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease and Restless Leg Syndrome. Deliver medical presentations, facilitate the exchange of scientific information, and support clinical research.

Act as a conduit of information about new research developments, clinical trial activities and therapeutic approaches for EMD Serono. Cultivate and maintain relationships with Health Care Providers and present information to internal stakeholders. Work intensively with people at every step of the therapeutic product development process and translate dense, academic information into engaging, persuasive messages.

Coordinated efforts, monitored and facilitated the day-to-day progress toward Core goals in a longitudinal, multi-site clinical study. Effectively managed and implemented changes across an ever-changing and evolving study. Involved in research activities focused on understanding amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein kinetics as they relate to disease progression and development of a diagnostic blood test for Alzheimer's. Achievements:• Initiated and led a research project to determine the half-life of alpha-synuclein in human CNS which will help identify a clinical biomarker for target validation in the clinic • Developed a global REM Behavioral Disorder (RBD) Consortium to provide a trial-ready, well characterized cohort to test preventative strategies for synucleinopathies• Awarded supplemental funding ($>3M) to implement new initiatives within an ongoing clinical study including incorporating tau PET imaging, increasing visit frequency, and utilizing more sensitive methods to detect protein changes in biofluids that may serve as a diagnostic for Alzheimer’s disease and accelerate clinical trial design • Networked within and outside the University to assemble committees to identify solutions to difficult problems including potential unblinding of participants, site probation, and global site expansion• Successfully organized the annual external advisory and steering committee meetings to solve pending issues within the DIAN study and obtain scientific updates from each of the study’s Cores • Independently reviewed more than fifty scientific proposals to utilize DIAN data and biofluid samples; Involved KOLs and scientific experts in the review and approval process to ensure scientific integrity and extend the scope of DIAN's initiatives

At Michican State University, I directed a Translational Neuroscience laboratory investigating the following research interests: (1) to understand the cellular and molecular events that underlie the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, (2) develop and characterize translational animal models of neurodegeneration, and (3) identify novel targets for the development of disease-modifying therapies. My laboratory utilized various experimental approaches, including in vitro and in vivo model systems to expand our understanding of neurodegenerative disease, and related protein misfolding conditions. Accomplishments:• Spearheaded an epidemiologic/data mining study in early Parkinson’s patients, demonstrated a disease modifying effect for antidepressants resulting in three publications, and was awarded $2.5M (RO1) from the NIH to test the effects of Nortriptyline in a primate model of Parkinsonism• Independently initiated and led a translational project resulting in the development of a novel rat model of alpha-synuclein transmission • Taught a summer graduate lab-based course with a focus on making primary neuronal cultures• Successfully developed collaborations outside the University and initiated several translational projects with influential scientists within the Neuroscience field• Performed community outreach and education within the community (brain awareness week, fundraisers, educational presentations, etc.) to help educate the public about Neuroscience and diseases of aging

As a Michael J. Fox Foundation Post Doctoral Fellow at Pfizer, I researched the development of in vitro and in vivo methods to measure autophagy in Parkinson's disease. This position helped me explore and understand important concepts involved in drug discovery and development. And, in this role effectively developing and managing multiple internal and external collaborations, I established strong ties within the scientific community.Accomplishments:• Established and managed collaborations across Pfizer and external organizations to support the autophagy project and the Neuroscience portfolio• Designed a whole-cell phenotypic compound screen with colleagues in the Primary Pharmacology Group (PPG) to identify an early stage compound for a Parkinson's indication• Utilized inducible cell lines, primary neuronal cultures and a transgenic mouse model to test putative autophagy enhancers as a potential therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease• Worked closely with Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics colleagues to model compound exposure to guide in vivo efficacy studies• Characterized a transgenic mouse model of Parkinson’s disease through behavioral testing and biochemical assays

For several years, I worked under the direction of Dr. Tim Collier, a renowned leader in the field of neural transplantation. During that time I initiated several projects examining the ability of embryonic stem cells to promote the survival of both host and grafted dopamine cells. My dissertation project investigated the neuroprotective potential of antidepressants in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, how chronic antidepressant treatment regulates trophic factors, cytokines and anti-apoptotic factors within the degenerating nigrostriatal system.

As part of the Diabetes and Obesity research group at Pfizer Inc. (La Jolla campus), I worked on four different projects to treat obesity and diabetes. I characterized the binding potential of several small molecule candidates identified through high throughput screening (HTS). I also maintained various cell lines using aseptic technique so that we could do membrane preps for filtration/binding assays, ELISAs, RT-PCR and radioimmunoassays. I also conducted drug inhibition experiments and HTS. Data collected through these in vitro assays were presented at both lab and departmental meetings. In addition to in vitro studies, I also conducted multiple in vivo studies. I was responsible for maintaining the rat colony utilized to test various potential therapies. I did multiple surgeries (stereotaxic lesions and transplants, castration, jugular vein cannulation) and assisted in pharmacokinetic studies.

During my tenure at Sapphire, I designed, implemented, and facilitated the annual marketing plan for the region. I was responsible for organizing and overseeing the charitable contributions of internal employees. I developed and maintained client relations including: client satisfaction surveys, client development activities, client skills training, and special events. I also supervised the RFP process, including soliciting RFPs from desirable prospective clients, writing proposals for new business and I participated in the planning and presentation sessions.

Neural mechanisms of learning, memory, and motivation