Postdoctoral Research Associate/Named Researcher - Queen's University Belfast - UK
(2018-01 - 2025-12)
- Project I & II: A conserved protein O-glycosylation pathway in the Burkholderia genus essential for bacterial fitness and antigenicity in humans | Elucidating a conserved protein glycosylation pathway to glycoengineer anti-Burkholderia vaccines (BBSRC & MRC-CiC funded)
- Characterized a highly conserved O-glycosylation pathway in Burkholderia species, successfully leveraging it as a novel bio-conjugation platform to engineer premium glycoprotein antigens for next-generation vaccines and diagnostics.
- Directed end-to-end recombinant protein production pipelines across both bacterial and mammalian expression systems, optimizing advanced ÄKTA-based chromatography workflows (affinity and SEC) to maximize yield, purity, and structural integrity.
- Executed precision protein engineering (including domain truncation and sequence modification) alongside comprehensive structural and site-specific glycosylation mapping utilizing high-resolution LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry.
- Validated the translational potential of engineered antigens by designing and executing specialized in vivo and in vitro assays to evaluate immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and diagnostic sensitivity.
- Project III: Dissecting the role of infection driven protein mono-glycosylation in Legionella-host interaction (BBSRC funded)
- Leveraged an innovative click-chemistry approach to successfully capture and identify previously unknown host targets of a novel Legionella glycosyltransferase (GT) effector protein.
- Elucidated the molecular consequences of effector-mediated host mono-glycosylation, mapping its downstream impact on key mammalian cellular signaling pathways and overall bacterial virulence.
- Managed day-to-day laboratory operations, establishing robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), overseeing procurement budgets, and ensuring strict compliance with biosafety and institutional protocols.
- Fostered cross-disciplinary collaborations, providing critical protein engineering and analytical expertise to successfully deliver milestone-driven objectives for multi-institutional, externally funded grants.
PhD Researcher & Project Lead - Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine - Japan
(2014-01 - 2017-12)
Project: Analysis of Host Defense Immunity and Development of Recombinant Vaccines against Babesia microti infection
- Led the strategic design and development of novel vaccine candidates against Babesia species utilizing recombinant sub-unit, Adenovirus-vectored, and DNA vaccine platforms.
- Developed and managed laboratory animal disease models (mice and hamsters), executing systemic animal challenge/infection trials to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and survival rates.
- Investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying host defense immunity and cross-protective resistance against murine malaria using advanced molecular and cellular profiling.
- Designed and executed large-scale field sero-epidemiological surveillance surveys in Northern China, managing logistics, farm field interactions, and stakeholder communications.
MSc Researcher - Northeast Agricultural University & Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (CAAS) - China
(2011-01 - 2014-12)
Project: Screening of Adhesion Proteins of Mycoplasma Leachii and Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies
- Screened immunodominant adhesion surface proteins of livestock Mycoplasma pathogens and successfully developed a panel of high-specificity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
- Established, optimized, and standardized diagnostic serological pipelines, including high-throughput ELISA kits for livestock disease surveillance.
- Participated in international reference laboratory reference workflows (WOAH/National level) for high-consequence viral pathogens (FMDV), ensuring rigorous adherence to strict QA/QC and biosafety laboratory protocols.
