Sara E. Kearney, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

• Researching and evaluating the operation of early drug discovery scientific programs and initiatives• Developing and executing strategic communications initiatives for the intramural research program (e.g., webpage development - data collection & curation, copywriting)• Composing and editing scientific and technical documents for internal and external stakeholders• Providing medicinal chemistry portfolio and project management support • Preparing programmatic presentation materials for technical meetings and consultations

•Strategically developed the synthesis of novel cannabinoids for applications in drug discovery•Coordinated 2 external collaborations to explore the therapeutic potential of synthesized compounds•Independently composed and delivered presentations for internal group meetings and scientific conferences (e.g., Gordon Research Conference; Florida Heterocyclic & Synthetic Chemistry)•Reviewed and edited scientific documents (grant proposals, journal publications, research summaries, and dissertations) created by team members and the principal investigator•Tactfully trained and mentored junior graduate and undergraduate students in basic laboratory practice, synthetic methods, data analysis, scientific writing, and oral presentation

•Prepared and delivered lectures to introduce relevant chemical theory and technique•Managed and instructed students in safe, appropriate use of chemicals and laboratory instrumentation•Initiated one-on-one coaching to improve laboratory skills and establish clear links between chemical theory, laboratory experimentation, and real-world application•Edited written laboratory reports, offering extensive guidance and feedback regarding scientific writing•Authored letters of recommendation for students’ medical and veterinary school applications

Rockville, Md

•Performed pre-clinical translational research with a cross-functional team of medicinal chemists, assay biologists, and bioinformaticians to advance novel chemical probes for promising therapeutic targets•Advanced multiple projects in parallel within a matrix environment•Conducted structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies and hit-to-lead optimization with small- molecule high-throughput screening hits•Optimized small molecule leads to improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties•Designed and executed cytotoxicity and fluorescence imaging studies to evaluate synthetic analogs•Demonstrated ability to quickly develop in-depth knowledge of project-relevant therapeutic areas•Evaluated multi-assay data sets generated by high-throughput screening and strategized the progression of compelling hits (Canvass: A Crowd-Sourced, Natural-Product Screening Library)

Gainesville, Florida

•Performed heterologous expression of cyanobacterial recombinant Sfp-like phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases) to obtain detailed biochemical characterization and kinetic analyses •Manifested learning agility by rapidly developing skills in biochemistry and molecular biology, including molecular cloning, protein expression and purification, PCR, bacterial cell culture, and gel electrophoresis•Contributed chemistry expertise to optimize chromatographic and spectrophotometric methodologies for data acquisition

Wheaton, Il

• Elected by department faculty as the most highly recommended chemistry tutor • Frequently improved both college and high school student performance by 2-3 letter grades (e.g. D [65%] to A- [90%]; F [32%] to C [74%])• Elucidated interdisciplinary concepts to enhance comprehension of material• Mentored students in the context of both their academic and extracurricular pursuits

• Delivered lectures and instructed problem-solving sessions in general and inorganic chemistry classes• Supervised and guided students in the use of chemical materials and proper use of laboratory equipment

Wheaton, Il

Developed robust procedures for the synthesis of methyl divanillylamine derivatives that can be converted to macrocycles or polymers using economically favorable starting materials

Parsippany, Nj

• Developed and validated analytical methods for automated titration techniques to quantify active pharmaceutical ingredients in drug products•Fulfilled all regulatory requirements, documenting and reviewing laboratory practices meticulously according to GMP standards • Delivered a cumulative research presentation to the Analytical Development Department summarizing the development of an automated complexiometric titration method

• Delivered lectures and instructed problem-solving sessions in general and inorganic chemistry classes• Initiated one-on-one instruction with students to improve laboratory practice• Edited written laboratory reports

Provided excellent customer service by responding promptly and accurately to guest requests.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Organic Chemistry

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Women's Club Lacrosse, Residence Life-Upper Class CouncilOrganic Chemistry Research Organic Chemistry TA.