- Currently managing a group of 10 PhD and non-PhD scientists to routinely support Oncology small molecule and ADC drug discovery programs.- Build a state of art biophysical laboratory with a wide array of technologies that routinely supports >20 small molecule programs at a given time.- Developed and currently implementing high-throughput proximity platform for discovery and progression of TPD modalities (molecular glues, PROTACs, Monovalent Degraders) - Providing leadership on >20 Hit-ID campaigns per year leveraging support from CROs and working in close collaboration with partner lines within Pfizer.- Routinely providing leadership on a high-value but difficult-to-drug targets, one of the key areas of my expertise.- Currently also leading the compound management and assay automation group enabling rapid primary pharmacology data generation across Pfizer oncology.- Co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications disclosing novel PRMT5 inhibitor, Naa50 inhibitor, and mechanistic investigation on PARP1 inhibitors.

- In this former role, served as a biophysics group leader guiding a team of PhD and non-PhD scientists (biochemists and biophysicists)- Supported more than 20 oncology small molecule programs at various stages for biophysical data needs and insights. - Specific support included pre-HTS protein and small molecule tool validation, HTS using biophysical methods (SPR & TSA), post-HTS hit follow-up and direct target engagement validation primarily using SPR, DSF, ITC and CETSA.- Gained extensive experience in DEL and ASMS screening hit follow-up (10+ campaigns each) using biophysical methods and confirming bona fide lead matter on unprecedented targets- Gained experience driving routine SAR using biophysical methods like SPR and DSF- Provided expertise in binding kinetics characterization and using binding kinetic data in late-stage optimization of lead series as well as predicting in vivo behavior of the lead candidates- Co-authored multiple IND study reports by contributing biophysical and biochemical data toward preclinical and in vitro validation of lead candidate- Gained know-how and expertise in targeting difficult-to-drug targets using biophysical methods

1. Discovered novel class of inhibitors for APS reductase enzyme using high throughput screening (HTS) and validated bacterial sulfur metabolism as a bonafide target for development of broad-spectrum antibiotics.(Developed multiple biochemical and cell-based HTS assay employing HTS platforms like AMP-Glo and Transcreener; validated and confirmed hits from 40K compound screen to identify lead compounds; performed dose-response studies to measure bactericidal activity, ITC and SPR studies to confirm direct target engagement, MOA studies to determine mode of enzyme inhibition, target ID by chemo-proteomic studies and target validation at cellular level employing conditional mutants; measured global transcriptional response of bacteria to inhibitor treatment; isolated resistant mutants for whole genome sequencing; synthesized >50 derivatives of lead compound for SAR studies).- Select Media Coverage:“Stressing out dormancy” – By Grant Miura in Nature Chemical Biology, 12, 1 (2016).“Compounds discovered with potential to treat persistent tuberculosis” – Science Daily (Nov. 17, 2015)2. Discovered mechanism for thioredoxin-mediated regulation of activity of multiple proteins by thorough biochemical and biophysical characterization of Trx-protein interactions.(Cloned, expressed and purified multiple recombinant proteins in bulk quantities; performed site-directed mutagenesis and biochemical modification of proteins; characterized proteins using multiple biochemical and biophysical techniques including SDS-page, Western-Blot and intact mass analysis or LTQ-MS; performed ITC studies to thermodynamically characterize multiple Trx-protein interactions; developed HTS assays to probe Trx-protein interactions employing AlphaLisa and HTRF platforms) - This research has helped address a long-standing and fundamental question of how thoredoxin selects its target proteins for cellular signaling and has received wide-spread recognition.

Developed highly efficient and safe method for production of tetrazoles using continuous-flow microreaction technology.(This research has helped address a challenging problem in pharmaceutical manufacturing of tetrazoles, a bioisosteric functionality widely used in drug molecules, using continuous-flow microreaction technology. It is a benchmark discovery in the area of flow synthesis and has stimulated many subsequent investigations on safe handling of toxic and hazardous material using flow synthesis.)Media Coverage: “The Explosive Potential of Nitrogen Compounds” by Laura Howes, Chemistry World (RSC Publications)

1. Designed and developed small molecule probes for selective detection of biologically-relevant monosaccharaides like glucose for diagnostic applications.(Rationally designed, synthesized and characterized compounds for binding to monosaccharides; performed binding studies using various biophysical techniques like ITC, UV, Fluorescence, CD and 1H NMR; characterized mode of interaction and performed SAR studies to improve affinity and selectivity.)2. Developed small molecule inhibitors of RNA to understand selectivity principles in RNA-target therapeutics.(Identified and optimized compounds inhibiting function of key RNA secondary structure; performed binding studies using SPR, ITC, fluorescence and gel-shift assays; discovered dissociation rate as a key parameter governing RNA-selectivity of small molecules.)Select Media Coverage: “Key Advance Toward Treatment For Most Common Adult Form of Muscular Dystrophy” – Science Daily (Nov. 26, 2008)“Exploring New Compounds to Target Muscular Dystrophy” – Drug Discovery & Development (Nov. 19, 2008)“Scientists discover new compounds to target muscular dystrophy” – Medical News (Nov. 19, 2008)

Major Achevements:Designed and synthesized selective PPARα agonists to improve biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties of a promising lead compound. ( Designing concise synthetic routes for target compounds; Performed multi-step synthesis of organic compounds; routinely used techniques like NMR, LC/MS, GC/MS, IR, UV, HPLC, RP-HPLC and column chromatography for purification and characterization of compounds)