Michael Lafferty Email & Phone Number

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

• Develop bioinformatics solutions for biologists and bioinformaticians across multiple fields to accelerate research and discovery of novel diagnostics and therapeutics
• Create data analysis workflows and pipelines using python, R, and the Watershed Platform
• Provide consultation and advice on multi-omic data analysis (RNA-seq, Single-Cell RNA-seq, Whole Genome Sequencing, Genome-wide Association Studies)
• Interpret and distill public databases to enable customized data analysis (UK Biobank, ChEMBL, OpenTargets, GTEx)

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Upon completion of my PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, I continued as a postdoc in Dr. Jason Stein’s Laboratory in the Department of Genetics and Neuroscience Center. I conducted single-cell rna-sequencing analyses to assess the reproducibility of human cortical organoid differentiations.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

• For my graduate school dissertation research I joined the lab of Dr. Jason Stein in the Department of Genetics and Neuroscience Center. Here I primarily used computational techniques to model the effects of common.
• Dissertation work investigating the role of genetic variation on gene expression in the developing human neocortex (mRNA/miRNA eQTLs)
• Implicate genes and genetic regulatory elements as possible mechanisms for developmental neuropsychiatric disorders via GWAS colocalizations
• Develop data analysis pipelines for: -Next generation sequencing data (RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, single-cell RNA-seq) -Gene expression data (microarrays, differential gene expression) -Genotyping and imputation analysis (1000.
• Investigate the biological pathways associated with neuronal proliferation and differentiation in human neural progenitor cells using wet-lab techniques: -Primary cell culture (lentivirus generation/transduction) -RNA.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

• In the months before beginning graduate school, I returned to the lab of Dr. Saskia Neher in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. I gathered structural data on a human protein lipase inhibitor.
• Developed molecular models of structural homologous proteins using the Rosetta molecular modeling suite of software (collaboration with Brian Kuhlman lab, UNC Chapel Hill)
• Investigated protein-protein interaction using molecular docking packages of Rosetta
• Probed protein structural features using Small-angle X-ray Scattering
• Studied enzyme inhibition kinetics of mutated and chimeric lipases using fluorometric assays
• Designed and purified proteins using e. coli and mammalian tissue culture techniques

RTP, Durham, NC

• Developed unit operations for purification of novel biopharmaceuticals including monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic enzymes
• Scaled development purification processes for transfer to manufacturing
• Ran pilot plant unit operations for sizing studies and material generation
• Optimized PEG conjugation reactions using DOE for execution with high throughput experimental and analytical techniques
• Investigated novel purification strategies to replace standard column chromatography

Durham, NC

• As a Development Scientist in the department of Process and Product Development, I was primarily responsible for the design and execution of experiments to optimize a human hepatocyte isolation process. My experiences.
• cGMP liver cell isolation
• Primary and immortalized cell culture
• Developing cell based assays to monitor liver cell viability and functionality
• Investigation of new products for the treatment of human liver disorders
• Design and execution of experiments under cGMP and cGDP guidelines

Chapel Hill, NC

• As a Research Technician in Saskia Neher's Lab in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, I studied the molecular mechanism by which human lipases are inhibited. I employed a number of biochemical techniques to.
• Purified recombinant protein constructs using liquid chromatography
• Designed and optimize protein purification protocols for maximum product yield
• Cultured mammalian, bacterial, and yeast cells for ideal protein solubility and expression
• Assayed enzyme activity using fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy
• Studyed protein-protein interactions using atomic force microscopy, SDS-PAGE, and enzyme kinetic assaysFirst-authored publication: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 inhibition of lipoprotein lipase: Evidence for reversible.

Ann Arbor, MI

• As a Research Technician in Alnawaz Rehemtulla's Lab in the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Center for Molecular Imaging, I developed in vivo mouse cancer models for drug trials including glioma, pancreatic.
• Monitored cell death in living mice using MRI and bioluminescence
• Designed and cloned DNA constructs, maintained tissue cultures, and cared for animals
• Oversaw laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and hazardous waste managementScientific publication: Imaging Proteolytic Activity in Live Cells and Animal Models, PLOS ONE, 11 Jun 2013.

As an undergraduate research assistant I learned the skills necessary to conduct independent research in a wet lab environment. From DNA cloning, western blotting, and aseptic tissue culture, to FACS and phage display, I was responsible for the successful execution of my experiments.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bioinformatics And Computational Biology

B.S.E., Chemical Engineering

Activities and Societies: LSA Student GovernmentMinor in Biochemistry Concentration in Life Sciences

Engineering Online, Continuing Education