Leadership & Strategy: Lead the CNS Research Team to drive AAV capsid discovery for gene therapies, providing strategic direction and mentoring a team of seven scientists to translate engineered capsids to key CNS disease areas.Scientific Expertise: Design and execute in vivo (mouse and NHP) and in vitro studies to assess the efficacy and biodistribution of capsids, ensuring alignment with therapeutic strategies for genetic diseases.Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively communicate complex scientific data and program strategies to external partners, internal stakeholders, and leadership teams, facilitating collaborations and driving alignment on project goals.

- Managed a team of two molecular biologists providing leadership, mentoring and training to design and engineer DNA vector genomes. My team worked on plasmid design, construction, scale up and initial testing. - Contributed to writing, editing and reviewing information package (briefing book, study reports) for pre-IND meeting with FDA and for preparation of study reports for future IND-filing. - Identified and established relationships with CROs for the execution of non-GLP studies (designing, planning and executing complex in vivo studies).-Participated in evaluation of external partnership opportunities and novel technologies for in-licensing, involved in design of study plan, running the studies and presenting the results to the teams to inform decisions- Led cross-functional teams to evaluate new technologies for advancing the AAV platform. I was involved in developing experimental plans, secured necessary resources and managed timelines to deliver project outcomes.

- Represented multiple programs as a core team member in internal stage-gate meetings with the Portfolio Review Committee, contributing to the writing, editing, and review of critical materials while engaging with key stakeholders to ensure successful program outcomes.- Contributed to preparation, editing and review of documents for Intellectual Property fillings.- Served as a subject-matter expert on internal panels for evaluation of project proposals and planning.- Supported surveillance and analysis of the competitive space for relevant therapeutic programs to support strategic planning and decision-making.- Served as a liaison between project teams, Pharm. Sci., and external CROs to enable successful scale-up of vector materials, ensuring timely delivery of test articles for NHP studies while adhering to project timelines and budgets.- Represented the Vectorology group on the Core Committee responsible for planning Gene Therapy lab space expansion, providing inputs in planning and design, coordination with Lab-ops for equipment purchases and setting up new equipment.

- As a vectorology lead I designed expression cassettes to optimize promoters, regulatory elements, transgenes and other components for multiple gene therapy programs. Based on individual project needs, I designed, constructed and tested AAV vector payloads. - Collaborated across multiple sub-functions within the Global Gene Therapy team to generate vector candidates to be tested by project teams, managing prioritization based on project needs as well as inventory. - Worked closely with team members to design and implement exploratory pharmacology studies in animal models to develop the data package to inform early go/no-go decisions.- Prepared dosing formulations for test articles and performed downstream tissue analysis e.g. biodistribution, transgene expression.- Prepared study reports, data presentations and communicated the findings at internal meetings.- Represented Gene Therapy group in cross-functional research teams.

I studied cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in the context of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, focusing on TDP-43, an RNA binding protein genetically linked to ALS. I utilized two model systems, mammalian primary neurons as well as Drosophila Neuromuscular junctions to examine the impact of TDP-43 misregulation on neuronal signaling and intracellular trafficking. Research and skill-set summary: -Developing viral vectors for in vitro and in vivo expression. Establishing and maintaining primary neuronal cultures and establishing in vitro assays for neuronal morphology and development.- Advanced imaging techniques (e.g. two color spinning disc microscopy) including live imaging in Drosophila larval preps as well as mammalian cell cultures. - Mentoring and training undergraduate students and lab technicians in basic molecular biology techniques, Drosophila genetics and microscopy.

Worked as Laboratory Teaching assistant for various courses including: Laboratory for Regulatory and Behavioral Neuroscience, Human Anatomy and Physiology (Part I), Essentials in Biology Laboratory (non-majors), Introductory Biology I.Responsibilities included preparing and delivering presentations, writing, administering and grading exams and holding office hours to help students in one-on-one setting.