Senior Scientist

My long-term goal is to lead the discovery and development of novel compounds to treat diseases that currently lack impactful therapies. I am driven by the thought of generating life-changing medicines in a career path that allows me to constantly challenge my intellectual curiosities and overcome challenging obstacles. This career goal was in part fostered by my current position as Senior Scientist at Sharp Edge Labs, where scientists have a major role in the project conception, experimental design & execution and delivery of data for multiple diverse projects. My primary projects include the discovery of new progranulin protein modulators for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia, beta-glucocerebrosidase (GBA) enhancing compounds for use in Gaucher’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. I introduced the use of cultured primary rat neurons as a critical cellular system for this work, and perform cellular uptake imaging assays, ELISA, immunofluorescence, live/dead live-imaging assays, statistics and analysis for these projects. Furthermore, I am also developing a Niemann-Picks disease cell-line model using CRISPR-Cas9 for drug-screening approaches. I completed my doctoral training in the lab of Tija C.Jacob, where I was consistently provided opportunities to develop as an independent researcher in the study of GABA type A receptor (GABAAR) trafficking and signaling. The focus of my PhD work was on identifying the GABAAR molecular trafficking mechanisms underlying the loss of sensitivity to benzodiazepine-type drugs. This work investigated multi-stage receptor trafficking changes including cell surface insertion, endocytosis, degradation, receptor diffusion, and synaptic confinement. I coauthored two comprehensive reviews on GABAAR trafficking and genetic anomalies with Dr. Jacob, providing me sufficient neuropharmacology of this receptor. I was awarded a F31 training grant (F31MH117839) to address the trafficking questions central to my thesis work, where I gained experience performing diverse biochemical, confocal imaging, quantitative proteomic, and molecular biology techniques. A large portion of my training was cross-disciplinary and collaboration based. One project working with Dr. Alan Waggoner and Dr. marcel Bruschez’s labs resulted in the development of an innovative GABAAR dual fluorescence reporter and a first-author publication. Importantly, this tool was an integral part of my research novelty proposal and should provide novel insights into the response of GABAARs to benzodiazepines and other agents for years to come. I also gained quantitative proteomics experience both the Cold Spring Harbor Proteomics course in 2019 and an ongoing partnership with proteomic labs at the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Susan Weintraub at UT Health San Antonio. These high interest investigations focus on benzodiazepine tolerance and fundamental GABAAR interactome plasticity in-vivo, one of which led to critical data published in my most recent first-author publication. Furthermore, I held leadership positions including chair of Young Scientist Committee of ASPET, I have plans to engage in a number of events mentorship program “partnering for success”, where I received numerous travel grants to represent the society in places like Chicago, San Diego, London and China.