•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)

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.

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 genetic variation on gene expression in the developing human brain. My studies focused on the bioinformatic and statistical tools necessary for the interpretation of human quantitative trait data and development of reproducible data analysis pipelines. In my final years of graduate school, I returned to the wet-lab to validate some of my dry-lab findings. My research included:•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 Genomes/TOPMed)•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 extraction and quantification (qPCR, RNA-seq, microarray) -Immunocytochemistry and image analysis (High-content imaging, CellProfiler)

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 (Angiopoietin-like protein 4, ANGPTL4) and sought to computationally model this tetrameric protein and its interaction with lipoprotein lipase. My experiences included:•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

•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

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 included:•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•DOE and data analysis using JMP softwareI was responsible for a number of projects including the optimization of tissue digestion, efficient washing and purification of hepatocytes, cryopreservation, and the investigation of novel therapeutics.

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 study in vitro protein-protein interactions. I designed and purified many protein constructs which I have used for kinetic analysis, atomic force microscopy, and macromolecular X-ray crystallography. My responsibilities included:•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 complex formation, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 19 Aug 2013.

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, and lung models. My responsibilities included:•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.