Research scientist with extensive experience in the field of drug discovery research. Established areas of expertise include small molecule drug design, lead optimization, organic synthesis and mechanism-based reaction optimization. Recognized skill in chemistry team management and leadership, including external collaborations with CRO's.

Research scientist with extensive experience in the field of drug discovery research. Established areas of expertise include small molecule drug design, lead optimization, organic synthesis and mechanism-based reaction optimization. Recognized skill in chemistry team management and leadership, including external collaborations with CRO's.

My time at SRI was spent working in the Bioscience Division at SRI. I was as a medicinal chemistry team member in the Center for Infectious Disease and Biodefense Research.

Roche Palo Alto site, CA.Project Leader • Oxidation Inhibition Program (Virology Biology Group) -Initiated Roche’s first fully integrated external collaboration program. Led a team of 10 scientists located in China and advanced four series through early-stage lead identification studies.Chemistry Team Leader • HCV Polymerase NS5b Inhibitor Program (Palm Site; Virology Chemistry) -Identified three pre-clinical candidates and advanced two compounds through pre-clinical IND enabling studies. Discovered the thiazine and saccharin inhibitor series and directed a team of 12-18 Roche chemists and 6-8 ArrayBiopharma collaboration chemists through lead optimization. • Levovirin Prodrug Program (Virology Chemistry) -Led a team of 5 chemists that discovered the levovirin valinate prodrug, which progressed through Phase 1 clinical studies. The chemistry team rapidly delivered a scalable route and the entire project team received a Roche award for rapid progression from discovery to clinical studies. -Determined the best predictive in vitro assay for prodrug assessments through a close collaboration with the DMPK group. • MMP Metalloelastase (HME) Inhibitor Program (Respiratory/Anti-Inflammatory Group) -Delivered a clinical candidate which progressed through Phase 1 clinical studies. Discovered the sulfamide MMP inhibitors and led a team of 4-9 chemists through lead optimization. Improved two key synthesis steps and prepared numerous metal salts for pre-clinical crystallinity, stability, and solubility assessments.Chemistry Group Manager • Supervised up to four direct reports since 1993. Provided extensive training, coaching, and mentoring which facilitated consistently high levels of group productivity.

Joined Syntex, Palo Alto and worked as a medicinal chemist. I was responsible for designing and implementing complex syntheses of novel organic compounds for use in pharmaceutical research. Areas of focus: oncology; anti-inflammation.Additional Career Highlights • EP4 Receptor Agonist Program- developed the synthetic route to a new series of phenyl side-chain analogs; RAR-gamma Receptor Agonist Program- synthesized key clinical candidate metabolites. • Nucleoside Biosynthesis (GMPS; DHOD) Inhibitor Program- successfully completed the total syntheses of carbadecoyinine and 2-fluorocarbadecoyinine. • PKC Inhibitor Program- optimized the synthesis of a key maleimide intermediate.