■ Regularly provided input and expertise for development of iPSC editing strategy to produce iPSC lines for downstream differentiation protocols.■ Performed proof-of-concept studies to demonstrate successful transgene knock-in at difficult-to-edit, therapeutically relevant loci.■ Worked with the internal NGS Core and Life Edit team to identify assays in need of development to properly characterize on-target and off-target gene editing outcomes for both gene knockout and knock-in applications.

■ Established a robust iPSC editing platform from transfection through single cell cloning, genotyping, expansion, banking, and characterization.■ Enabled large transgene knock-in via >15-fold increased efficiency over PoC study in iPSCs leading to production and development of lines for therapeutic iPSC-derived cell R&D projects.■ Demonstrated proof-of-concept gene editing of Life Edit nucleases and base editors in iPSCs for 5 therapeutically relevant targets at high editing efficiencies with excellent cell quality.■ Collaborated with the Regenerative Medicine Assay Development and internal NGS Core for in-depth iPSC genotyping and characterization. Additionally, collaborated with the ElevateBio Cellular Engineering and Immunotherapy teams, and Life Edit for construct design, virus production, and gene editing reagents to establish iPSC editing strategy.

Engaged with regulatory, manufacturing, scientific, business, and legal professionals to establish a robust framework for growth and development of Catapult technology.https://forwardbio.wisc.edu/catapult-program/ Worked with a team to do due diligence and perform customer discovery.-Interviewed various stakeholders including end-user physicians, biomanufacturing, and regulatory professionals.-Identified better market opportunity for an indication with unmet need from stakeholder feedback.-Communicated with Catapult team to inform an effective commercialization strategy for their cell therapy technology.

♦ Established scientific background in the innate immune system, cell migration, wound healing, tumor microenvironment, and host-pathogen interactions.♦ Creative innovator with experience in human iPS cells and neutrophil functional assays resulting in a patent-pending method for iPSC neutrophil differentiation and characterization.♦ Talented systems developer with CRISPR, viral transduction, and molecular biology experience resulting in the establishment of an efficient genetic editing system in cell lines within the lab resulting in >20 cell lines.♦ Utilized molecular cloning techniques including primer design and optimization, vector design, RE digests, InFusion cloning, TOPO cloning, Sanger sequencing, nucleic acid extraction & cleanup, bacterial transformation and banking, and mini/maxiprep to assemble both retro- and lentiviral vectors for target gene expression in cell lines.♦ Excellent communicator with great presentation skills resulting in communicating data to a wide audience at lab meetings, journal clubs, seminars, 2 conferences, and 2 symposia via posters and talks.

♦ Great writer that collected and analyzed data on primary immune cells using biochemical and immunological assays resulting in a first author publication.♦ Skilled communicator that shared data and scientific information via posters at 1 conference and 1 symposium.♦ Experienced peer mentor that trained and taught junior students basic cellular and molecular techniques in a laboratory techniques course resulting in proper execution of said techniques.

♦ Independent worker with experience in maintaining normal and transgenic mouse colonies that resulted in smooth experimental execution.♦ Good communicator with experience training students in various common laboratory methods and techniques that resulted in ability to independently perform said methods/techniques.

♦ Efficiently managed time with instructors to prepare 4 teaching labs that lead to more effective teaching.♦ Great resource management skills that allowed organization and distribution of materials from the Biology Department Stockroom to laboratories resulting in timely execution of experiments and lab duties.