Usha Narayanan Email & Phone Number

United States

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

• In vitro biology lead for high priority first-in-class immunology (auto-immune disease) project, executed H2L/DC enabling, internal and CRO-based assays, including primary cells, target engagement, MOA, mouse primary.
• Collaborated cross functionally, managed CRO assay transfer, data management in Dotmatics
• Designed protocols in collaboration with Pharmacology group for PD studies, tissue homogenization, western, ELISA and gene expression assays in multiple mouse tissues, enabling lead candidate PK/PD correlation
• Established protocols for blood PBMC isolation and translational biomarker assessment in patient samples
• Identified and established novel reporter cell line assays for immune target platform differentiation
• Collaborated cross-functionally to enable timely high quality data package interpretation and delivery

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

• Lead biologist for priority Immuno-Oncology project enabling identification, execution of internal and external immune MOA assays for DC optimization, supporting immune based rodent in-vivo studies, biomarker.
• Identified and executed immune functional assays involving T-cells, NK cells, Dendritic cells and Macrophages, successfully impacting project decisions, working under tight time and budget constraints
• Successfully multitasked as lead in vitro pharmacologist, for over 5 Oncology and CNS targets, stayed abreast of scientific advancements and competitive landscape through regular literature review, developed and.
• Cultured and utilized neuronal iPSCs for MOA assays and biomarker analysis for CNS targets
• Served as core team member in new target identification team to advance company pipeline
• Provided strategic oversight, research operations and capital budget support

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

• Interfaced with key internal stakeholders, scientific partners, BD/alliance managers and local/global CROs to ensure achievement of deliverables in accordance with planned project objectives and timelines
• Project Lead for 3 large-scale internal pipeline and external programs of high stakes, and 6 mid-size projects, including PROTACs
• Facilitated external partner meetings by preparing agendas, documenting action items, ensuring timely follow-ups, allocating internal resources
• Flourished in a fast-paced team environment, multi-tasking and effectively delivering results across projects, while building strong relationships with industrial and academic collaborators
• Reviewed SOWs for external partner contracts; Co-author of program posters presented at conferences
• Employee manager with excellent track record in supervising and mentoring

• Key biologist for first-in-class NAEβ inhibitor MLN4924, clinical candidate, developed multiple MOA/biomarker/phenotypic/resistance assays in hematologic and solid tumor cells
• Executed multiple MLN4924 post DC drug combination studies, leading to identification of combination with Azacitidine in AML patients
• Led identification, execution of assays for new target validation, contributing to project go-no-go decisions
• Toxicology assays de-risking GPCR targets in iPSC derived cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions
• Utilized 3D Intestinal organoid models for understanding drug related proliferation/differentiation
• Managed genome-wide CRISPR library program and developed pLenti CYP overexpression reporter cell lines