My thesis project investigated the mechanism of HIV-1's specific packaging of dimerized viral genomes. Other projects focused on single-molecule FRET measurements of CD4 binding to HIV-1's glycoprotein Env, and small molecule inhibitors of HIV-1 entry. • Built and optimized an ALEX capable smFRET microscope.• Extended the SPARTAN software package to permit analysis of ALEX data• Utilized the scope and software to observe RNA structure (dimerized HIV-1 5'UTR).• Designed, produced and characterized a variety of soluble CD4 protein constructs for use in Env-CD4 binding smFRET experiments• Assessed viral fusion inhibition activity of a collaborator's small-molecule leads.

From 2008 to 2014 I specialized in the development of molecular diagnostics for tuberculosis as a member of the Alland lab within the Center for Emerging Pathogens at UMDNJ (later a part of Rutgers). The Alland lab partners with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Cepheid Inc to develop diagnostics. I primarily focused on the development and FDA approval of Cepheid's Xpert MTB/RIF assay, while also pursing a variety of other projects related to diagnostic development. • Site coordinator for clinical trial of Xpert MTB/RIF, implemented GCP and GLP, trained technicians.• Collaborated with the team at Cepheid on the analytical performance evaluation program to support FDA de novo submission. • Important contributions to root-cause analysis of false-positive detection of rifampicin-resistance in clinical trials. Developed relationships that permitted access to necessary data. Developed tools to determine problem scope and for rapid iteration on solutions. Contributed to identification of reagents requiring further optimization and their development under substantial deadline pressure. • Early stage development work on sample-processing and multiplexing strategy for a high-throughput targeted resequencing approach to drug-resistance surveillance.

• Analyzed discrepant drug-resistance detection results from molecular diagnostic clinical trials and developed expertise in rifampicin resistance detection. • Developed a qPCR based molecular beacon assay for tuberculosis detection, avoiding patent issues.• Continued analytical performance evaluation of commercial diagnostics for the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics.

• R&D work establishing analytical performance and biosafety of an IVD NAAT (Xpert MTB/RIF) in support of a CE-IVD mark.