Generated key data under tight timelines to enable go-no-go decisions for multiple early stage programs-successfully enabling transition to exploratory status for 2 programsThrough literature review and scientific insight, supported early stage, exploratory efforts by enhancing team´s understanding of mechanistic pathways, helping steer early stage mechanistic study designInitiated and oversaw collaborative efforts with CROs and vendors to ensure timely execution of deliverables and servicesKey contributor in pharmacodynamic studies by performing ex-vivo processing of renal tissue samples and downstream processing to generate decision enabling dataBrought online 2 assets as well as coordinated on-site training for team members to successfully enable initiation of new programs in accordance to predetermined start dates Acted as Biology team lab coordinator-introducing platforms to enhance inter- team communication and coordination with Lab Operations team to promote timely resolution of lab operational mattersIn support of post-acquisition transitioning activities, led lab decommissioning activities by coordinating cross functional efforts among Biology and Lab Operations team members-successfully completing decommissioning activities in accordance to Novartis timelines.Communicated and presented scientific data and project updates to senior management and senior Novartis stakeholders

Led assay development efforts to support immuno-oncology program through literature review and consultation with resident immunologists: developed project plan including scope, timeline and acceptance criteria for complex co-culture assaysSupervised a direct report (Co-op student), fostering skill development in routine lab activities and ensured consistency in quality of dataScreened murine sera samples, generating key data towards oral vaccine programPerformed assay optimization and validation contributing protocols towards SOP generationPresented project findings and updates in project reports and regular meetings with team members and external industry collaboratorsInitiated and oversaw new relationships with vendors and trades to successfully bring building and lab facilities online in accordance to preset timelines during company relocation phaseSupported team startup activities by sourcing and procuring ultralow freezers from alternate vendor in response to insufficient inventory with primary vendor

• Designed and executed pre-clinical tests of drug efficacy of a novel lead compound in MPS I and Gaucher disease patient derived fibroblasts• Established a collaborative relationship with an investigator in Australia and employed their facilities to further investigations into drug efficacy• Managed and coordinated different facets of the drug efficacy project with multiple collaborators• Negotiated access to colleague’s level 2 facilities to expand the lab’s cell culture capabilities • Presented findings and project updates at regular lab and joint lab meetings• Assisted the PI in the writing of annual progress reports to funding agency as well as a provisional patent• Managed and maintained 10 separate fibroblast cell lines by establishing, from scratch, an organized inventory of fibroblast freezer stocks

• Demonstrated efficacy, in a plant model system, of a novel lead compound in enhancing intra-cellular transport of recombinant human proteins involved in 3 separate lysosomal storage diseases• Transcriptomic profiling and large-scale data analysis with R to generate a hypothesized mechanism of action of the novel drug lead• Optimized and implemented protocols to test my hypothesis derived from microarray results• Published a review of screening strategies employed to identify drug leads for lysosomal storage diseases• Organized committee meetings, evaluated project progress, and wrote annual progress reports

Biology 100- Prepared and conducted weekly tutorial sessions to provide in-depth reviews of lecture material- Assisted in the running and supervision of weekly teaching lab sessions to introduce basic biological concepts.

BICS 366 - Plant Physiology-Conducted weekly tutorials to address student questions and concerns regarding lecture material-Adapted tutorial sessions and office hours to provide greater degrees of student coaching and guidance in preparation for term presentations

• Troubleshooted and optimized procedures and methods enabling me to successfully generate constructs for transformation into mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts• Generated publication worthy data towards the investigation into the role of eEF2 kinase in conferring tumor cell adaptation to metabolic stress • Summarized and presented experimental results and key findings during lab meetings and in a written, end of term report