
Senior Assay Development Scientist at Genalyte
Greater San Diego Area

Senior Assay Development Scientist at Genalyte
Greater San Diego Area
I currently do assay development for Genalyte, a molecular diagnostics startup. My work involves developing protein, DNA, and small molecule assays on their novel high-throughput assay platform.
I am also a senior graduate student at the Tulane Center for Gene Therapy. My dissertation is entitled "Investigating the Role of Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Repair of Bone", in which I developed a model of multiple myeloma in immunodeficient mice and used it to test small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between multiple myeloma and bone precursor cells.
My work at Tulane involved self-guided experimental research on the relationship between Human Adult Stem Cells and cancer. My areas of expertise are bone biology, multiple myeloma, adult stem cells, and development of disease models.
(Privately Held; Information Technology and Services industry)
February 2009 — Present (6 months)
This position involves working with the Mendeley team to identify community needs in academic collaboration software and to promote online engagement with their networking service.
(Biotechnology industry)
July 2007 — Present (2 years 1 month)
This position involves working on a cross-functional team to develop protein, nucleic acid, and small molecule assays for a novel, label-free microfluidics assay platform. I am the lead scientist responsible for development of surface chemistry and assay design.
Surface Chemistry
* Developed protocol for coupling biomolecules to sensor surface
* Performed detailed characterization of dynamic range, sensitivity, and drift
* Interface with engineering team to determine design of assay cartridge
* Optimized surface chemistry to achieve highly-sensitive, zero-drift, low background assay format
Team Leadership
* Led team to deliver company development objectives within strict deadlines
* Met with engineering project leads to obtain in-depth familiarity with mechanical, optical, fluidic and software-related aspects of Gen2 and alpha instruments
* Managed inventory of reagents and supplies
* Interviewed candidates for laboratory positions
(Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)
May 2007 — Present (2 years 3 months)
The DNA Network is a Feedburner network composed of life science enthusiasts with specialized views in areas such as genetics, biology, biotechnology, health care, and much more.
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
March 2002 — Present (7 years 5 months)
My Dissertation is entitled "The Role of Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Repair of Bone.”
This work led to the development of a candidate drug for treatment of osteolytic lesions in multiple myeloma.
Adult Stem Cells
* Isolated and cultured multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from human and rodent sources.
* Designed experiments to identify differentiation and multipotency factors acting on hMSCs.
* Developed novel high-throughput assays for detection and quantitation of osteogenic differentiation.
Multiple Myeloma Animal Model
* Developed animal model for multiple myeloma which reproduced clinically relevant bone involvement.
* Isolated, cultured, and assayed myeloma cell lines, mMSCs, and bone marrow from experimental animals
* Performed necropsy, tissue collection and processing, histological and immunostaining, and ELISA.
(Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)
1996 — 2001 (5 years)
PhD , biomedical science , 2002 — 2008
My work at Tulane involves self-guided experimental research on the relationship between Human Adult Stem Cells and cancer.
Adult Stem Cells, Bone Biology, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, social networking, science, molecular biology, cancer research
International Society of Cellular Therapy
International Society for Stem Cell Research
Louisiana Board of Regents Fellow