Michelle Sauer Email & Phone Number

Valo Health combines machine learning, patient data and wet lab work to develop new drugs faster, in less time and with less failure than traditional drug discovery formats. Supported in vitro efforts to further the company's closed loop discovery efforts.• Conducted cellular, kinetic biochemical and high content imaging assays to support multiple closed loop discovery projects.• Assisted in migration to new lab data management and analysis systems. Conducted testing and provided feedback for multiple software packages.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us

Rubin Lab, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Dept.One focus of the Rubin lab is to study the changes in the nervous system resulting from aging or disease and their root causes. My focus has been related to the vasculature of the aging brain.• Developed and conducted high content imaging screens using primary cells and iPSCs.• Responsible for the lab’s screening equipment which included liquid handlers, high content imagers, and plate readers.• Trained colleagues to use screening equipment and advised on screen development.• Managed the lab’s compound library collection.• Evaluated software for screening data analysis.2 year research contract was unable to be renewed in Sept 2022.

Mystic, Ct, Us

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology GroupEnko, Inc. utilizes a pharmaceutical-like approach for the discovery and development of small molecules for crop protection. Supported in vitro assay pipelines for compound discovery, hit validation, hit-to-lead transition and lead optimization for enzyme targets.• Conducted kinetic biochemical assays using automated liquid handling to support multiple hit and lead generation campaigns.• Lead role in purchasing new liquid handling equipment for high throughput screening to increase screening capacity.• Trained team members and other colleagues in the proper operation of liquid handling instrumentation and assay procedures.• Managed weekly screening requests and compounds received from CROs.Company moved out of state (to CT) in August 2020.

La Jolla, Ca, Us

Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics (CPCCG)The CPCCG is comprehensive small molecule Drug Discovery center within Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. As an expert in High Content Imaging, I have developed, validated and optimized assays for screens supporting both academic and commercial partners.• Developed, validated and optimized whole cell assays for both High Content Screening and High Throughput Screening.• Miniaturized assays and performed High Content Screening and High Throughput Screening using laboratory automation.• Managed and analyzed data using multiple software packages: Perkin Elmer Acapella/Harmony, Genedata Screener, Perkin Elmer Columbus, CBIS (in-house database), Excel, and Prism.• As a part of a multi-year collaboration, developed a 1536 antibody-based endogenous receptor translocation assay, which was then used as a primary screen for ~350K compounds. Assisted in developing and running counter-screens. Responsible for confirmation screening, hit optimization screening, and data analysis.• Evaluated genes which were up and down regulated by the xxx Receptor using qPCR.• Trained junior team members in the skills needed for High Content Screening (equipment usage, assay protocols, imaging and analysis).

Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics groupFavrille produced patient specific anti-idiotypic Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma vaccines. As a DNA Sequence Analyst, I analyzed the DNA sequence data used to design the patient's tumor specific vaccine within a GMP production environment.• Co-managed a MySQL database containing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient immunoglobulin sequences and their associated annotations.• Developed computer scripts to facilitate various aspects of the sequence analysis process.• Authored SOPs to document sequence analysis procedures.• Trained colleagues to perform sequence analysis.• Assisted in the validation of software used within the Bioinformatics group.Company closed in 2008 due to failed clinical trial.

Us

High Throughput Screening/Infectious Disease ResearchNereus focused on the development of natural products from marine microbes. As a member of the screening group, I developed antimicrobial assays and screened the company's continually evolving natural product compound collection.• Established and validated whole cell antimicrobial assays for high throughput screening.• Performed high throughput screening employing the use of laboratory automation.• Analyzed and validated weekly screening data using Assay Explorer and Spotfire. Discussed results with cooperating scientists.• Co-managed screening workflow and data management.• Developed macros in Visual Basic for Applications to facilitate data analysis.• Authored SOPs to document departmental procedures.• Trained colleagues to perform antimicrobial assays.

Rahway, New Jersey, Us

Microbial Vaccine Research (2000-2001)As a part of the larger vaccines group, the microbial vaccines group was tasked with developing vaccines for unmet bacterial diseases. My group investigated several potential vulnerabilities of our target pathogen.• Conducted automated chemiluminescent ELISA's using Bio-Rad's CODA system.• Cloned selected genes from pathogenic bacteria into His-tag expression constructs for protein overexpression and purification.• Expressed proteins and monitored expression via SDS-PAGE/Immunoblot analyses.• Purified proteins by affinity chromatography.• Assisted in the development of bactericidal assays to screen antibodies produced in response to vaccine candidates.Natural Products Drug Discovery (NPDD) (1997-2000)NPDD built a large natural product extract library which was available for screening by the other disease areas within Merck. I contributed to the NPDD natural product extract collection by collecting, identifying, and preserving fungal samples.• Cloned polyketide synthase genes from endophytic fungi of Vaccinium macrocarpon. • Conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of unidentified endophytic fungi isolated from Vaccinium macrocarpon.• Served as microbiology liaison to an interdisciplinary animal health assay project team and provided mycology lead project updates.

Jersey City, Nj, Us

• Educated guests about exhibits and answered their questions.• Taught courses about mechanical principles using Lego building bricks.

M.S., Plant Pathology

Professional Certificate, Web Publishing

Professional Certificate, Bioinformatics

B.S., Bioresource Engineering

B.S., Horticulture