Develop and manage strategic partnerships and collaborations that contribute to Vala Science's growth, innovation and success. Leverage external resources, technologies and expertise to advance research, development and commercialization efforts.

Led a strategic hiring campaign to rapidly expand the In Vitro Pharmacology team within the Discovery Platform in order to accelerate delivery contributions to both internal and partnership-driven drug discovery programs. Simultaneously, championed the adoption of a robust outsourcing approach to mitigate resourcing constraints and further enhance the team's assay capabilities.Guided the team through phases of exploration, development, and implementation to elevate data generation capabilities in high content imaging-based phenomics, next-generation sequencing and transcriptomics, protein biomarker detection, proteomics, in vitro disease modeling, and a diverse set of biochemical and cellular screening assays.Cultivated a growth and multiplier mindset culture within the team via leveraging mentoring and coaching resources, regular leadership trainings and book club discussions. Topics ranged from enhancing communication (Crucial Conversations) to fortifying organizational health (The Advantage) and amplifying the experience and capabilities of our team members (Multipliers).Presided over Discovery Platform’s Data Management leadership team, a cross-functional and highly collaborative group comprising biologists, chemists, data scientists and software engineers. This team provided strategic guidance and established tactical working groups to address various aspects of data handling, including standardizing electronic laboratory notebook documentation, automating data processing and uploading to designated storage locations, and developing downstream reporting and data visualization tools.Co-managed multi-million-dollar operational and capital expenditure budgets on a quarterly and annual basis. This included a three-fold expansion of laboratory space and the acquisition of cutting-edge laboratory automation solutions and workcells to streamline assay workflows and enhance efficiency.

Led a dynamic scientific team that develops applications for iPSC-derived human cell types, with a focus on improving the customer experience with best-in-class research tools

Roles and responsibilities include:• Build out applications for the iCell and MyCell iPSC-derived product portfolios• Provide scientific support to customers and the CDI commercial team• Foster internal and external collaborations

R&D project lead for the development of variety of new products / portfolios, including:• Portfolio of live-cell and fixed-cell imaging kits for stem cell characterization• Neurite outgrowth / cell health detection assay• Autophagy quantification / high-throughput immunoassayR&D integral core team member for many additional products, including:• Cell viability / proliferation assays• TR-FRET based immunoassays• Reporter gene assaysR&D knowledge leader and custom services support in several areas, including: • Cell-based assay development• Antibody-based imaging methods• Compound profiling and screening• Cell health assays and measurement tools• Immunoassay development• Reporter gene assays

Genome-wide functional screeningCell-based assay developmentRNAi-related workHigh throughput screening-related workCell signaling

Pre-clinical R&DProtein engineering