Lions VisionGift is proud of the many different functions we perform on the path to sight restoration in our communities. We strive to advance transplantation, research and education to honor donors and their gifts of sight.My role at LVG:• Work closely with Chief Strategy Officer to evaluate strategic partnerships.• Design research to develop novel tissue processing and evaluation techniques.• Implement new procedures in close collaboration with leadership team and departments.• Manage protocol for internal R&D projects, collaborations, and contract research projects.• Manage R&D team consisting of a Clinical Research Coordinator, a Research Assistant Scientist, and a Research Partnership Coordinator.• Evaluate intellectual property associated with new developments.Highlights:• Led research efforts to develop Patient Ready DMEK (US Patent No. 10,041,865 B2).• Awarded the 2017 Troutman Cornea Prize for innovation in corneal science.• Led team to obtain over $100,000 of grant funding (since 2015).

Designed and executed research projects to investigate mechanisms of protein trafficking that affects parasite virulence in the pathogenic protozoa Leishmania mexicana.• Managed and completed multiple research projectss• Secured salary and research support through funded competitive grant/fellowship proposals.• Acted as primary contact person for multi-institution collaborations.• Trained junior Postdoctoral Fellows and undergraduate research assistants.Highlights:- Awarded $250,000 in research funding- 8 peer-reviewed publications- Cover article: Journal of Cell Science – July 15, 2012

Evaluate OHSU-owned antibody technologies and provide suggestions for potential distribution routes.• Created a decision tree to evaluate antibody technologies.• Suggested appropriate antibody distribution routes. • Examined new technologies and engaged in discussions regarding Intellectual Property.• Worked with inventors to determine potential of technologies for commercialization.

Work with management team to increase sales revenue through outbound marketing and lead generation.• Analyze new markets for the application of RAD-Seq technology. • Provide ideas to expand to new markets and generate additional revenue streams.• Initiate contact with potential clients to create new business opportunities. • Educate clients on RAD-Seq technology and its applications.• Maintain prospective client database.

Thesis research focused on modeling nervous system development using fruit flies as a model system. Studied how neural stem cell are programmed to generate different cell types over time.• Designed and implemented research strategies.• Advanced multiple projects simultaneously resulting in several peer-reviewed publications.• Secured external research funding through the American Heart Association.• Guest lectured graduate and upper division courses.Highlights:- Awarded $50,000 of research funding- Cover article: Development – May 1, 2010- Cover article: Genes and Development – Dec. 15, 2006 - Selected for presentations at National Conferences