Tamsin Samuels

Versatile scientist with seven years post-PhD experience across industry and academia, with a strong track record in oncology and stem cell biology. A clear and effective communicator, adept at distilling complex concepts for diverse audiences. Bringing broad technical expertise in sequencing-based methods, fluorescence microscopy, cell and molecular biology. Eager to apply these skills to impactful roles in drug discovery or biotech.

STORM Therapeutics

Small molecule inhibitors of RNA modifying enzymes with the potential to treat cancers.

Scientist 2024-present

• Introduced specialist sequencing methods to an industry setting to plug a hole in understanding of mechanism of action of our METTL3 inhibitor within 6 months of joining
• Communicated findings and integrated with prior knowledge resulting in write up of a manuscript in prep, highlighting immunoprecipitation-based assays to study double-stranded RNA and binding targets of dsRNA sensors
• Engaged across projects, leading in vitro and in vivo RNAseq experiments for a preclinical target, and successfully advocating for rRNA-depleted RNAseq for advanced analysis of circRNAs, while working to tight turnaround deadlines
• Initiated study of R loops for preclinical candidate, through sequencing-based approaches (DRIPc-seq) and leveraged scientific awareness to exploit published datasets for biomarkers of target tumour types

Postdoc 2020-2024

• Managed parallel research projects resulting in publication of three first or co-first author papers (EMBO Journal, Cell Reports and Development)
• Developed an integrated ‘omics approach using RNAseq, Ribo-seq and mass spec, alongside advanced imaging methods to study gene expression control in Drosophila germline stem cell differentiation
• Supervised an MPhil student (2024-present) and 4 project students (2020-present), which resulted in a publication with their co-authorship
• Awarded funding from Herchel Smith Trust (3 year salary plus consumables), a Research Fellowship at Darwin College and won the 2022 BSDB Postdoc Poster Prize

DPhil + Postdoc 2014-2019

• Leveraged RNA immunoprecipitation NGS, single molecule imaging and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to examine the role of regulatory RNA sequences, resulting in two first author papers
• Discovered that regulated mRNA stability of the proto-oncogene, myc, is a mechanism to control cell size and division in neural stem cells
• Selected for oral presentations at local and international conferences

2014-2018 DPhil, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford

Wellcome Trust Programme for Chromosome and Developmental Biology

2010-2014 MSci Biochemistry and BA Hons Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge

Part III Biochemistry (class I)