Robert Tikkanen Email & Phone Number

United States

Durham, North Carolina, United States

United States

• Downstream process development representative lead for the CMC team for AskBio’s Congestive Heart Failure program (AB-1002)• Coordinated a team of senior scientists to develop and optimize a robust, scalable, and transferable downstream purification process to tech transfer to our CDMO for the generation of clinical trial material for the AskBio Congestive Heart Failure Program• Collaborated with Bayer colleagues to generate a statistical AEX binding isotherm model to investigate the mechanism of our patented platform empty/full capsid separation process• Generated and executed multiple DOE experiments in JMP17 to investigate the ideal conditions and broader design space for anion exchange chromatography unit operation development• Drafted and contributed to technical transfer documents, process development reports, manufacturing risk assessments and gap analyses to facilitate successful technology transfer of our commercial manufacturing downstream purification process to our CDMO Viralgen• Acted as a liaison between the AskBio process development and analytic development teams to optimize in-process analytics for process characterization and process understanding experimental studies• A contributing member in the AAV Genome Heterogeneity group and was appointed the downstream process development representative on the neDNA task force to track and perform root cause analyses of partially packaged capsids.

Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

• Compiled presentations for the presentation of study designs and disseminating experimental findings for internal, company-wide, and external audiences.• Worked with external vendors to demo and onboard new manufacturing technologies including various chromatographic purification modalities, filters, and various in-process analytical devices.• Onboarded multiple outsourced analytical assays and data analysis pipelines with third party collaborators, including charge detection mass spectrometry, multiplex digital droplet PCR, and next generation sequencing.• Developed and optimized multiple unit operations for the purification of AAV8 and AAV2i8 vectors including harvest/clarification, affinity chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, and ultrafiltration and diafiltration. • Assisted in scale up manufacturing activities across all unit operations from the bench scale to the pilot scale (2L to 250L) • Organized and held monthly multidepartment journal-club style academic literature meetings to familiarize colleagues with on-going developments in the field and to hone presentation skills and effective scientific communication.• Presented as an invited speaker at an international bioprocessing symposium (2022 BIA Monolith Summer Symposium, Portoroz Slovenia) to present AskBio’s patented empty/full capsid purification process.

Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

• Designed primers utilizing sequence alignment software for the manipulation, isolation, amplification and cloning of target protein genes of interest in various E. coli based recombinant protein expression vectors (pETDuet-1, pET28a, pET200, pUC8, etc.) • Performed a variety of protein purification techniques including affinity chromatography, ÄKTA FPLC, Agilent HPLC, Acquity UPLC, and dialysis to isolate proteins of interest.• Performed Agarose/SDS PAGE gel electrophoresis analyses and bioanalytical purification yield analyses for protein production method optimization.• Developed multiple LC/MSN methods for analysis of polyketide biosynthetic intermediates in enzymology studies on Thermo Fisher Scientific LTQ Orbitrap XL and QExactive Plus, and Waters Synapt G2 HDMS (q-TOF with ion mobility) mass spectrometers paired with In-line Acquity UPLC systems. • Thesis: Functional Characterization of the dfn Polyketide Synthase Gene Cluster in B. velezensis ATCC 39374

Burlington, North Carolina, United States

• Collaborated with QC department in the development of a new training program and amendments to the internal SOP• Collaborated with IT department and management to construct and implement an integrated productivity database to monitor technician performance and meet daily/monthly productivity goals• Compiled a database of serial numbers and warranty information of all laboratory equipment and computers.• Performed QC (IQ, OQ, PQ) Validations on Tecan Freedom EVO liquid handlers and extractors• Performed QC (IQ, OQ, PQ) Validations on illumina Infinium Microarray beadchips and iScan readers• Worked with Senior Project Specialist as a liaison between field service representatives to schedule work orders and preventative maintenance as well as ordering reagents and other lab consumables

Burlington, North Carolina, United States

• Prepared, extracted, quantified, normalized, amplified, hybridized, and further analyzed genomic DNA from saliva samples• Processed genomic DNA samples via the illumina’s Infinium Assay Workflow• Performed SNP data analyses via illumina’s Genome Studio software.• Used LIMS software for tracking and analyzing sample processing• Performed Daily/Weekly Maintenance on Tecan Freedom EVO liquid handlers, centrifuges, refrigeration units• Prepared internal laboratory quantitation standards• Trained technologist trainees on lab safety and SOP protocols• Took part in the FDA tests authorizing the approval of 23&Me’s direct-to-consumer BRCA1/BRCA2 test

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Dr. Jason J. Reddick's Biochemistry Research Group-Purified and isolated proteins from B. subtilis -Utilized affinity chromatography for protein purification-Performed SDS PAGE and Agarose Electrophoresis Analysis

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Dr. Amy Adamson's Molecular Virology Research Group•Studied the inhibitory effects of naringenin on the production of the protein eIF4E in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in Epstein Barr positive Raji B-cells. •Performed Western Blots and other immunostaining techniques to quantify protein expression and inhibition.

Master Of Science - Ms, Chemistry, 3.89

Activities and Societies: American Associate for the Advancement of Science Member, American Institute of Chemists Student Affliliate.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry, 3.24

Activities and Societies: Lean/Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified, Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt Trained, SAS Programming 1 Trained

Bachelor'S Degree, Polymer And Color Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Intramural Soccer