Sergey Yaklichkin

Highly articulate and consultative Molecular Biologist (PhD) leveraging over a decade of hands-on expertise in translational oncology, cell biology, and functional genomics to drive technical sales, client relationships, and workflow solutions. Proven track record of managing cross-functional scientific collaborations, troubleshooting complex laboratory workflows, and advising senior stakeholders on experimental design. Adept at translating complex scientific features into value-driven solutions for academic, clinical, and biopharma clients.

Research Scientist - Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - New York, NY

(2019-09 - 2025-08)

• Led research projects investigating the anti-tumor mechanisms of small-molecule ID antagonists, identifying novel lipid metabolic vulnerabilities and synergies with lipase inhibitors.
• Developed and optimized custom Python-based data analysis accelerating the discovery of target metabolic dependencies.
• Standardized high-fidelity CRISPR/Cas9 platforms for target discovery and validation within complex 3D patient-derived organoid systems.
• Established and troubleshot complex culture systems, including long-term maintenance of 3D tumor-derived organoids and optimized differentiation paradigms for drug-treatment studies.
• Managed laboratory-wide operational improvements, including the implementation of electronic records to ensure enhanced data traceability and high reproducibility.
• Supervised and trained postdoctoral fellows in advanced molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, and high-resolution imaging.
• Contributed critical experimental data and technical sections to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) grant, resulting in four consecutive years of successful renewal.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Columbia University, Department of Ophthalmology - New York, NY

(2017-03 - 2019-09)

• Led genome-wide epigenetic profiling of the postnatal mouse retina across defined developmental stages to characterize critical period–associated DNA methylation dynamics using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS).
• Built and executed end-to-end genomics workflows, including tissue processing, library preparation, sequencing, and computational identification of differentially methylated regions.
• Integrated epigenomic, transcriptional, and pathway-level analyses to generate mechanistic insights into retinal function and long-term tissue adaptation.
• Developed and validated CRISPR/Cas9 APLP2-FLAG knock-in mouse model, applying proteomic and transcriptomic profiling to link genetic perturbations with retinal signaling and physiological phenotypes.
• Collaborated with clinicians and core facilities to align epigenetic findings with clinically relevant retinal phenotypes and disease-associated pathways.

Research Associate - Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pathology & Immunology - Houston, TX

(2013-02 - 2016-06)

• Led and collaborated with multiple research groups to investigate the developmental roles and regulatory evolution of Forkhead transcription factors (FOXE1/E3, FOXN1) in feather and ocular morphogenesis
• Defined transcriptional mechanisms of FOXE3 regulation by mapping functional domains and characterizing interactions with transcriptional co-repressors.
• Applied complementary in vivo disease models by characterizing retinal degeneration in KCNJ13 knockout mice using physiological and immunohistochemical assays
• Investigated KCNJ13-interacting pathways in the retina through BioID proximity labeling and yeast two-hybrid screening.
• Work provided insights into genetic pathways underlying retinal degeneration and protein interaction networks.

Ph.D. - Molecular Biology - Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences

M.S. - Biochemistry (Magna Cum Laude) - Krasnoyarsk University, Russia