Translational lead for several cross-functional correlative research teams focused on the overall design, execution and analysis of correlative data, including clinical, manufacturing and experimental datasets, to support cellular immunotherapy trials of both blood and solid tumors.

Lead of the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research's correlative studies for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy trials. Manage a GLP level research laboratory composed of a growing team of scientists, coordinators and quality staff focused on the development and application of a broad spectrum of correlative study platforms to support clinical and translational studies. Guide the scientific direction and research agenda of the study while helping to expand current and future research.

Lead of the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research's correlative studies for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy trials. This involves studying the phenotype and function of the engineered T cells after they have been infused into a patient to answer key questions such as how long the cells persist and expand in vivo, whether they are able to travel from the blood to different organs, and determine how efficiently they are able to kill cancerous cells.

Lead research in immune responses to P. falciparum vaccinations, searching for biomarkers of protection in both sub-unit and whole parasite vaccinations. Also leading projects on antigen discovery in Plasmodium vivax. Lead Scientist of the Clinical and Translational Research Laboratory (CTRL). Responsible for developing and qualifying clinical assays, writing SOPs, study plans and study reports, working under strict controlled settings, coordinating with both QAU and clinical staff.Skilled in assay optimization, functional assays, multi-color flow cytometry (10+ colors), protein arrays, cell culture. Experience in grant writing for both public (NIH) and private (MVI, Gates Foundation) funding sources, budget development and tracking, monitoring goals.Supervisory and mentor responsibilities with junior scientists. Excellent inter-personal communication skills, presenting data internally, at conferences, and to funders/collaborators.

Lead reserach in immune responses to P. falciparum vaccinations, searching for biomarkers of protection in both sub-unit and whole parasite vaccinations. Also leading projects in antigen discovery in Plasmodium vivax. Responsibilities include optimizing assays, training staff, assisting in writing grants and budgets, coordinating between various collaborators, coordinating with the clinical team and quality assurance team to start up the Clinical and Translation Research Lab (CTRL).

Immunological studies on novel liver stage antigens of malaria in both murine and human studies.

The Role of Immunoregulatory Cells in Natural Immunity to Malaria based in the MRC Laboratories in The Gambia. Responsibilities include organization of small community-based studies, sensitization of communities through liaising with community leaders and community gatherings, leading teams of field workers, optimizing immunological and cell culture assays, presenting data internally and at international conferences

Innate immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum. Six months were spent at the Joint Malaria Programme, Moshi, Tanzania, carrying out experiments on natural killer cell responses to malaria.