Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine (Cancer Biology track).

- Responsible for mutagenesis and vector construct generation for cardiology focused cell biology studies. - Generated recombinant adenovirus and AAV for both cell and animal based studies.

- Co-developed novel, FRET-based, diubiquitin substrates to measure the kinetics of deubiquitylating enzymes with regard to K11, K48 and K63 isopeptide bond cleavage. Co-authored patent application, issued 2014..- Developed novel methods for the production of USP20, utilizing insect cells, in a collaboration with Oxford Expression Technologies. Initiated collaboration to evaluate co-marketing viral technology. - Produced a Granzyme B based fluorescent reporter system to measure deSUMOylation activity in a multiplexed assay. Manuscript published.- Co-authored proposal and completed NCI contract to partially humanize the production of glycoproteins in P. pastoris, produce 10 cancer-related glycoproteins and characterize their glycosylation by mass spectroscopy.- Co-authored and served as co-investigator on a funded phase I SBIR grant: "A novel fluorescent assay for ubiquitin isopeptide bond cleavage".- Responsible for hiring ten Drexel co-op students and directly supervising four.

- Established commercial P. pastoris expression technologies in addition to designing and conducting a study demonstrating the use of LifeSensors technology in P. pastoris.- Designed and conducted a study evaluating the use of engineered SUMO tags in CHO and HEK-293 cells, for the potential development of a commercial expression kit. Manuscript published.- Established commercial mammalian expression kits based on the results of the investigation.Produced novel caspase substrates based on a coupled enzyme and fluorescent reporter system.- Co-authored and served as a co-investigator on funded phase I and phase II SBIR grants: "SUMO fusion technology for eukaryotic protein expression systems" and "SUMO fusions to enhance expression of membrane proteins", respectively.- Responsible for hiring and directly supervising two Drexel co-op students.

- Co-developed novel protein expression system for eukaryotes utilizing an engineered SUMO tag and protease. Co-authored patent application, issued 2014.- Evaluated the yeast strain P. pastoris for the potential development of a commercial expression kit.- Developed a universal cloning strategy to reduce error and material cost.- Researched, developed and implemented high-density fermentation strategies for E. coli and P. pastoris.

- Compared the membrane proteins of several species of Spiroplasma.- Furthered investigation and comparison of Spiroplasma species by comparing genomes using AFLP.- Learned cell culture, DNA sequencing and microscopy techniques.

- Analyzed MudPIT results (derived from MALDI-TOF) from Toxoplasma gondii secreted protein, identifying novel proteins.- Created hypothetical gene constructs based on MudPIT matches to previously sequenced mRNAs, generated cDNA library and began cloning several of these genes.- Developed an understanding of many bioinformatics tools including: sequence analysis, database search, gene construction.

- Worked closely with primary research technicians on all levels of analysis necessary to create exogenous protein expression systems using E. coli and yeast.- Evaluated various fusion proteins in order to maximize expression with proper folding.- Developed an extensive understanding of molecular biology lab techniques and procedures including: PCR, DNA/protein electrophoresis, blots, cloning, culture growth and expression, DNA/protein purification.