Research Associate II — Neural Sciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (2025-01 – Present)
- Executed brain embedding, cryosectioning, and IHC protocols in murine CNS disease models to support preclinical neuroscience research programs
- Performed multi-route dosing (PO, IP, subcutaneous) and coordinated longitudinal in vivo studies with full husbandry responsibilities (genotyping, phenotyping, weaning)
- Operated TSE metabolic cages for cohorts of 8 mice simultaneously, monitoring metabolic phenotypes following AAV injection and across high-fat and ketogenic diet feeding studies
- Applied stereotaxic surgical techniques for targeted CNS interventions; maintained IACUC compliance across all protocols
- Contributed to data analysis and scientific reporting in support of grant submissions and publications
Research Associate — Gene Therapy at Tenaya Therapeutics (2023-08 – 2024-05)
- Contributed to IND-enabling preclinical studies for TN-401, an AAV-based gene therapy delivering functional PKP2 to adult patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (PKP2 mutation)
- Designed and executed multi-route dosing (PO, IP, SC) for 80-90 mice per day across 3-5 concurrent cohorts, supporting in vivo efficacy and safety studies in murine cardiac disease models
- Performed molecular biology assays (qPCR, RNA extraction, primer design) to evaluate AAV transduction efficiency, gene expression, and biomarker endpoints
- Collaborated with research scientists on vector characterization and downstream analysis to support pipeline progression decisions
- Maintained rigorous animal husbandry records (genotyping, phenotyping, weaning) in compliance with IACUC and internal SOPs
Research Associate — Cell Line Development at Aridis Pharmaceuticals (2022-09 – 2023-04)
- Led single-cell cloning for AR-320, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody, screening hundreds of clones across multiple 96-well plates via stable/transient transfection and viral transduction to isolate stable, high-expressing lead candidates
- Managed CHO suspension cultures and other mammalian cell lines through fed-batch processes; performed viability assessments and protein purification
- Supported genomic characterization of production cell lines using DNA/RNA isolation and qPCR to ensure clonal identity and expression stability
- Delivered concise data summaries and cross-functional presentations to support regulatory filings and program milestones
Research Associate — Pulmonary & Fibrosis Biology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (2021-11 – 2022-08)
- Investigated lung fibroblast heterogeneity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis across murine and human lung models, contributing to a published study on WNT7A-driven fibrogenesis at the fibrotic niche
- Performed non-survival (lung harvest) and survival surgeries (intratracheal bleomycin instillation) under IACUC-compliant protocols
- Executed full panel of molecular and cellular assays: Western blot, qPCR, RNA extraction, IHC (collagen 1A), fibronectin ELISA, flow cytometry, and FACS sorting (BD ARIA II & III)
- Isolated epithelial cells from murine tissue and primary cells from human lung specimens for downstream functional studies
- Maintained mammalian cell lines and designed PCR primers to support mechanistic studies of stem cell biology in inflammatory disease
