Caitlin Zinda

B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Research associate with multiple years of wet-lab experience spanning academic and pharmaceutical environments. Trained in cell-based assays and microscopy in oncology and infectious disease.

Co-authored peer-reviewed publication; currently contributing to an ongoing collaborative oncology project at Yale Cancer Biology Institute and Yale School of Medicine. Experienced in industrial settings through internships at AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Alkermes. Interests in oncology, cellular biology, and molecular biology.

Postgraduate Research Associate - Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Dept. of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry - New Haven, CT

(2025-08)

• Investigating the mitotic consequences of small molecule inhibitors in cancer cell models (specifically HPV+ cancers, including HNSCCs and Cervical cancer) under the mentorship of Dr. Lilian Kabeche.
• Delivered two Research in Progress (RIP) presentations to institute faculty and trainees.
• Techniques: cell-based assays, immunofluorescence, epifluorescence microscopy, mammalian cell culture, western blotting, quantitative image analysis (R, FIJI/ ImageJ, GraphPad Prism, and Excel).

Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Intern - Alkermes - Waltham, MA

(2024-06 - 2024-08)

• Developed and optimized a preventative assay to screen small molecule aggregators and surfactants in early-stage drug discovery, reducing the risk of off-target binding/ nonspecific targets in downstream screening.
• Characterized chemical properties of previously used small molecule compounds to inform the MCP team at Alkermes.
• Delivered a conclusive presentation to the entire research team at Alkermes.
• Techniques: β-Lactamase enzymatic assay, pERK analytical assay, PHERAstar plate reader automation, GraphPad Prism.

Lead Discovery and Optimization Intern - Bristol Myers Squibb - Cambridge, MA

(2023-06 - 2023-08)

• Developed and optimized a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for a cancer drug-resistance project, identifying potential therapeutic candidates.
• Delivered a conclusive presentation to the entire research team at BMS.
• Techniques: mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, iQue cell sorting automation, high-content imaging (Phenix live imaging), GraphPad Prism, FlowJo.

Undergraduate Research Assistant - Knoll Immunology Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Madison, WI

(2022-09 - 2025-08)

• Investigated the effects of unsaturated fatty acids on Toxoplasma gondii growth to better understand the various stages of toxoplasmosis, under the mentorship of Dr. Nicole Hryckowian.
• Co-author (3rd) on peer-reviewed publication: Hryckowian et al., Infection and Immunity, ASM (2024). PMID: 39194219.
• Delivered multiple ongoing research presentations to the Knoll lab, as well as a poster presentation for the UW biology department.
• Operated independently on a range of assays from Spring 2023 onward, including:
• FACs, immunofluorescence, replication assays, mammalian cell culture, epifluorescence and confocal microscopy, Incucyte live imaging, plasmid cloning; data analysis in R and Excel.

Research Intern - AstraZeneca - Waltham, MA

(2019-06 - 2019-08)

• Contributed to R&D of pharmaceutical drug development; gained foundational experience in qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays in an industry setting.
• Analyzed and interpreted experimental data and prepared written summaries of findings.
• Delivered an end-of-internship poster presentation to the entire oncology team at AZ.

Bachelor of Science - Biology - University of Wisconsin-Madison (2025-05)