Research Scientist (Postdoctoral) at UCSF, Department of Radiation Oncology (2023-01 – Present)
- Investigating mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in TNBC using 8 engineered cell line models, focusing on MAP3K8-driven stress-adaptive signaling, in combination studies with radiation and chemotherapy, identifying clinically actionable resistance nodes and combination strategies.
- Characterizing small molecule inhibitors and PROTAC/targeted protein degraders against stress-response signaling pathways (MAP3K8), including gene regulation analysis of MAP3K8 transcriptional control via IL-1 signaling.
- Analyzing clinical significance using clinical datasets from drug-resistant tumors, integrating bioinformatics (R programming) with functional in vitro validation.
- Screened drug combinations targeting parallel signaling pathways in KRAS G12C colorectal cancer models, evaluating synergy and resistance mechanisms to guide translational combination strategies.
Senior Scientist I at Hengenix (Henlius US) (2022-01 – 2022-12)
- Directed translational biomarker strategy for 2 bispecific antibody candidates in a immuno-oncology program, designing pharmacodynamic endpoints to be integrated into the clinical protocol.
- Designed and executed humanized tumor model efficacy studies, generating dose-response and PK/PD data that informed lead candidate prioritization and go/no-go decisions.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with clinical and discovery teams to align preclinical data with IND filing strategy and clinical development timelines. Authored regulatory-aligned preclinical study summaries for IND.
Staff Scientist at ABL, Inc. (CRO) (2020-01 – 2021-12)
- Led development, optimization, and qualification of immunogenicity and functional immune assays (immune cell coculture, cytokine release, ELISpot, FluoroSpot, multi-parameter flow cytometry) supporting IND submissions across oncology and viral vaccine programs.
- Served as scientific liaison between ABL and 4+ sponsor companies, aligning bioanalytical assay design and validation strategy with FDA regulatory expectations and GLP requirements.
- Contributed to successful NIH grant proposal for vaccine development study.
- Achieved 98% on-time study completion rate, managing concurrent timelines for multiple sponsors.
Industry Scientist at Piramal Life Sciences Ltd & Sun Pharma Advanced Research Center (2005-01 – 2011-12)
- Conducted IND-enabling in vivo pharmacology, GLP toxicology and genotoxicity studies across rodent and non-rodent models spanning multiple small molecule drug discovery and development programs, contributing data to 2 U.S. IND submissions.
- Developed and implemented efficacy studies for small molecule candidates, generating dose-response, tolerability, and preliminary PK data for 5+ preclinical programs.
- Co-inventor on U.S. Patent 9,498,507 B2 for Viracure (PP-9706642), an antiviral therapeutic that completed a Phase II clinical trial (CTRI/2011/05/001706). The research resulted in peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations (ICAAC 2010, 2012).
- Collaborated with medicinal chemistry, DMPK & formulation teams to optimize lead compounds for IND-enabling.
- Collaborated with 3 cross functional teams to support FDA regulatory communications, contributed crucial preclinical pharmacology/ toxicology data to U.S. IND submission packages.
