Developed computational chemistry strategy at Maze to enable structure-based and ligand-based optimization to prioritize small molecule designs to move projects forward.Assessed new technologies and applied them in portfolio projects (AlphaFold multimer, ML-DEL, ultra-large docking, VR, FEP+/NES, virtual vendor libraries).Leveraged cryo-EM structures and MD to characterize binding pockets for accurate docking and activity prediction.Scientific member of IACUC - responsible for oversight of animal care and assessing protocol for all in vivo experiments at Maze.Co-inventor of MZE001 which completed Phase I as a potential treatment for Pompe Disease and MZE829, currently in Phase I clinical trials as a potential treatment for APOL1-mediated kidney disease.Led a team of full-time comp chemist, contractor, and intern.

Co-inventor of LTT462, an ERK inhibitor in phase I for treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Joint research steering committee member of NIBR-CPACT (Berkeley) collaboration. Responsible for assessing potential targets and generation of models of structures using proprietary chemical probes.Chemistry lead on an antibacterial target. Coordinated all hit-finding efforts and subsequent follow-up chemistry to optimize hits from fragment screen using available crystal structures. Efforts helped develop tool compounds which led to a no-go decision on the target.Member of a global fragment working group tasked to increase impact of FBDD at Novartis. Presented this topic at a global chemistry retreat and put together a proposal to local leadership team to enable teams to optimize fragment hits.Global champion of KNIME at Novartis - a low cost alternative to Pipeline Pilot. Coordinated with experts at various sites to prioritize porting of valuable workflows to KNIME with a full-time undergrad intern.Led design teams on various oncology and anti-infective targets to help prioritize design ideas leading to synthesis of these compounds and ultimately testing in various in vitro assays.

Computational chemist on a kinase project which ultimately delivered a preclinical candidate.Led a deconstruction working group and championed the necessity of higher concentration biochemical screen as well as carrying out proper deconstruction of hits to identify minimal pharmacophores.Led a fragment-based effort for a kinase project consisting of team members across international sites, focused on ligand efficiency and lipophilic efficiency. Delivered highly soluble series exhibiting nM biochemical activity and cellular activity.Managed transfer of data and compounds upon acquisition of SGX by Eli Lilly.

Intimately involved with design of compounds on cMet and other kinase projects by working with medicinal chemists and crystallographers leading to a compound that moved to Phase I clinical trials - SGX523 and its backup, SGX126. Provided structure based drug design inputs to various kinase projects - changed how design meetings were run by carrying out instant feedback on design ideas, allowing for prompt virtual iterations of optimizations. Created computational tools to analyze ligand-protein interactions in crystal structures.Managed a compound registration/management group comprised of a senior research associate and 3 part-time interns.

Advisor: W. L. JorgensenNIH Ruth L. Kirschstein FellowshipCo-President, Yale University Biotechnology Club

Advisor: K. N. Houk

Imaging Science and Information Systems (ISIS) Center