J. David Rios

* ******* ******, **********, ** **803

Telephone: 781-***-**** Cell; 781-***-**** Home; Email:acewo3@r.postjobfree.com

SKILLS SUMMARY:

Experience in Pharmacology, Molecular/Cell Biology, and Immunology with

track record in Biotechnology industry. Proven expertise in functional and

chemical validation of therapeutic candidate proteins and small molecules

to support pre-clinical projects aimed at cancer, ophthalmic and

neurodegenerative diseases. Broad experience with cell-based assays, in

vivo and/or ex vivo models to support the characterization of therapeutics.

Able to serve organizational needs in leading projects, solving complex

technical and scientific problems in a timely manner. Strong ability to

work in a fast-paced environment and to establish and maintain research

collaborations across functional groups.

Experienced with analytical techniques used for the purification and

characterization of proteins and therapeutic small molecules including

anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, size exclusion, and reverse phase

chromatography FPLC and HPLC (Agilent and Waters systems)

Proficient with filtration techniques such as ultrafiltration/diafiltration

and microfiltration to purify, concentrate, and buffer exchange proteins

and other macromolecules; lyophilization, filling inspection, and labeling;

SDS-PAGE, light scattering, solubility measurements, and spectroscopy

(fluorescence and UV/VIS); NMR (0.47 T Bruker Minispec NMR system)

Experienced in designing polymers-, liposomes-, and protein-based

nanoprobes for drugs delivery and MRI contract agents; fluorescence-, PEG-

and radioisotope-labeled proteins

Proficient with standard molecular and cellular biology techniques

including: ELISA, ELLA, FACS, Western Blot, zymography, DNA/RNA extraction

and analysis, PCR, DNA cloning; immunochemistry; TUNEL assay, cell

cytotoxicity and cell proliferation assays; Luminex (Bio-Rad) for pro-

inflammatory cytokines; and conventional light microscopy, fluorescence

microscopy, Ca2+ real-time fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser

microscopy and computerized image analysis

Proficient with primary cultures: neuron and glia cells, goblet cells,

exocrine acinar cells, and immune cells (rodent and human), and

immortalized cells lines: SH-SY-5Y, HEK 293, HISMC, RAW 264.7, and RGC-5

cells; conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells (CJMSCs), organ culture

perfusion, autoradiography; PK/PD in rodent model; behavioral assessment

(Morris Water Maze testing); anesthesia procedures (isoflurane,

pentobarbital, ketamine/xylazine), and nanoparticles formulations delivery

via intranasal, intravitreal, tail vein and intraperitoneal injections, and

oral administration

WORK EXPERIENCE:

2013-Present: Consultant

Provide consultancy services for nanoparticle formulations, drug delivery

systems immunoassays, and other studies, as needed. More recent experience

includes working with smaller service companies such as angel sponsored

biotechnology Phase One and the academic sector in consultative contract

research, team building, and study, including pharmacokinetics and toxicity

studies, and pricing considerations for pre-clinical studies and phase I

trials.

2011-2013: Senior Scientist, Nanotechnology

Aphios Biopharma Corporation, Woburn, MA

Job description summary: Worked under strategic direction and participated

with the CEO and other senior managers in key areas of drug discovery

(natural therapeutics) and formulations, research contracts, and

preclinical services. Wrote a variety of documents including SOPs, SBIR-NIH

grant funding applications, in house progress reports, cGMP, FDA, and DEA

reports, BSL-2 and BSL-3 records and documentations, and on-site

presentations.

Overall responsibility for designing and evaluating novel nanoplatforms as

drug delivery systems capable of trafficking and delivering small molecules

and targeting peptides for treating cancer, CNS diseases, glaucoma, HIV

latency, and drug addiction. Oversaw research projects and technical

personnel.

Other Responsibilities:

Performed super fluid technology for the manufacture and scale-up of

nanoplatforms based on polymers and phospholipids as delivery system of

hydrophobic anticancer drugs, cannabinoid, neurokinin 1 (NK1) and 5-HT3

receptors inhibitors, and PEGylated-peptides, and performed efficacy

studies of nanoparticles antibodies in in vitro immune cell activation

assays as novel therapeutic for cancer.

Developed enabling nanoplatforms for delivery of potent protein kinase C

(PKC) activator in Phase I/II as an intravenous and oral therapeutic for

ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease pathophysiology and cognitive impairment

with neuroprotection

Performed efficacy studies of polymer-nanoparticles PKC activator that

attenuates neutrophil transendothelial migration in an in vitro model of

neutrophil migration across human endothelial cells

Implemented in vitro cell-based model systems, and develop immunoassays to

support the validation of a novel A? modulator nanoplatform that prevents

synaptic loss, A? elevation, and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease

models, and to identify tyrosine kinase receptor targets in cancer models.

Developed enabling nanoplatforms for delivery of nontoxic Vitamin D3 analog

for hormone refractory prostate cancer, and performed antiproliferative

efficacy studies of such nanoparticles in cell-based model

Implemented in vitro assays and disease models related to inflammation to

evaluate the efficacy of compounds or biologics. Example of these validated

assays and models are: In vitro Cell-based Phenotypic Assays, using LPS,

PMA, and CD3/CD28 for cytokine/chemokine production and cell proliferation

in primary cells (T cells and dendritic cells) and cell lines (Jurkat, and

Raw264.7).

Developed enabling nanoplatforms for delivery of ?9-THC to treat pain in

cancer patients and to evaluated the efficacy of such ?9-THC

nanoencapsulated in glaucoma models

Involved with sterile filtration methods, lyophilization, filling

inspection, and labeling of therapeutics nanoparticles for oral, IV, and

ophthalmic formulation in strict accordance with cGMP, and determine their

physical and chemical stability by HPLC and particle size analyzer.

2008-2010: Associate Research Scientist

McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA

Job description summary: Appointed to the Brain Imaging Nanotechnology

Group, and Neuropharmacology and Drug Abuse Research Program; developed and

documented new research projects, and wrote NIH grants.

Other Responsibilities:

Developed targeted amplifiable imaging nanoprobes able to cross the blood

brain barrier and biodegradable nanoparticle carriers as drug delivery

system for neurological and psychiatry conditions via intranasal pathway

Designed a GABA agonist 5-aminomethyl-3-hydroxyisoxazole (muscimol) as

nanoparticle complex for epilepsy research

Developed MRI nanoprobes for drug addiction research by the engineering of

DAT-selective gadolinium-bearing nanoprobes to be used in transporter-based

imaging with conventional MRI scanners

Implemented and monitored studies on protein-based targeted nanoparticles

(i.e., particles, 50nm in size) with PEG-ligands that target dopamine

receptors in the limbic system and the substantia nigra in animal models of

Parkinson's disease

Designed and analyzed nanoparticle biodistribution by autoradiographic

assessments

Characterized and defined experiment parameters using depression and

anxiety rat models; investigate dopamine transporter ligands role as

targets for reward processing in depression

Wrote extramural grant funding NIH applications R-21, developed qualitative

research aspects of projects and published findings as applicable

Provided collaboration to other researchers as a co-investigator on

research design, implementation and qualitative data analysis; trained, and

supervised junior staff

Performed the management of research projects and grant budgets; developed

and submitted grant requests to federal and state governments as well as

private sector funding sources

1998-2007: Investigator

Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School,

Boston, MA

Job description summary: Appointed to the Corneal and External Eye Disease

Research Group; oversaw and implemented three research projects, supervised

technicians and training post-doctoral researchers as they implemented

programmatic and project related duties / activities. Collected data and

prepared documentation, including experimental design protocols, technical

reports, wrote peer review scientific manuscripts and extramural grant

funding including NIH-R01 applications.

Other Responsibilities:

Designed and managed experiments using mouse disease models and primary

cells to investigate the role of the TNF? and IL1? in ocular diseases;

characterized signaling pathways activated by reactive oxidant species in

various cell types and their therapeutic implications in age-related dry

eye syndrome

Investigated the molecular mechanisms of prostaglandin derivate

pharmaceuticals on secreted protein acid and rich in cysteine (SPARC),

matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitor of

metalloproteinases (TIMPs) expression in human tissues and on ocular

hypertension in mouse glaucoma model

Oversaw and provided advise on studies to determine the role of TNF?, JNK

and p38MAPK signaling pathways in chronic inflammatory disorders and age-

related lacrimal gland diseases

Created and implemented protocols to determine the role of Ca2+ and protein

kinase C in cholinergic and ?1-adrenergic agonists, neurotrophins, and EGF

stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in exocrine tissues

Investigated the effects of prostaglandin analog formulations on in vivo/ex

vivo measurement of immune endpoints (interleukins (IL-1b, IL-10, and

TNFalpha)

Created presentations and delivered them at national and international

meetings

1996-1998: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Job description summary: Received an appointment to Ophthalmology;

assembled and presented data in documentation, including experimental

design protocols.

Other Responsibilities:

Developed and tracked experiments using mouse and rat disease models, and

primary cells to investigate the regulation of conjunctival goblet cells

secretion by protein kinase C signaling

Executed and managed studies to determine the role of Ca2+, and protein

kinase C in cholinergic and ?1-adrenergic agonists, neurotrophins and EGF

stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in lacrimal gland

Designed studies that characterized signaling pathways of cholinergic

agonist transactivate EGFR; implemented MAPK to induce conjunctival goblet

cell secretion

Documented findings and presented them at national and international

meetings

EDUCATION:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 1998

Ph.D., Biomedical Science (Pharmacology / Toxicology), Ponce School of

Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico, 1996

BS, Cell Biology, Inter-American University, Puerto Rico, 1987

SPECIALIZED TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS:

Molecular Biology Course, sponsored by New England Lab.

Human Participation Protections Education for Research Teams (Clinical

Trials), sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Writing Grants Workshop, sponsored in part by NIH

cGMP and FDA reports Workshop

PATENTS / INVENTIONS:

Shatos; Marie A., Dartt; Darlene A., Rios; Jose D., Culture of goblet

cells. US Patent 7,052,690. May 30, 2006.

Shatos; Marie A., Dartt; Darlene A., Rios; Jose D. Culture of goblet cells.

US Patent 7,316,927. January 8, 2008.

AWARDS / HONORS / GRANTS:

Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health, MBRS Award

Travel Grant from the National Eye Institute

Mackeen Travel Grant, Young Investigator Award

Fight For Sight Prevent Blindness America Research Grant Young Investigator

Award

OTHER LANGUAGUE:

Spanish

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Vitaliano, G, Vitaliano, F, R os, J.D., Renshaw, P.F. and, Teicher, M.H.,

New Clathrin-Based Nanoplatform for Magnetic Imaging. PLoS ONE. 2012

May;7(5), e35821:1-13

Turpie, B; Yoshima, T; Agulati, A; Rios, J.D.; Dartt, D.; Sharmil, M,

Sjogren's syndrome-like ocular surface disease in Thrombospondin-1

deficient mice. Am J Pathol. 2009 Sep; 175(3):1136-47.

Rios, J.D., Shatos, M.A., Urashima, H., and Dartt, D.A., Effect of OPC-

12759 on EGF receptor activation, p44/p42 MAPK activity, and secretion in

conjunctival goblet cells. Exp Eye Res. 2008 Apr; 86(4):629-36.

Rocha, E, Rios, J.D., and Dartt, D.A., The Aging Lacrimal Gland: Changes in

Structure and Function. Review article Ocular Surf. 2008 Oct; 6(4) 162-179.

R os, J., Zoukhri, D., Hodges, R.R., Rawe, I.M., and Dartt, D.A.

Immunolocalization of muscarinic and VIP receptor subtypes and their role

in stimulating goblet cell secretion. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1999;

40:1102-1111.

Dartt, D.A., Rios, J., Kanno, H., Rawe, I.M., Zieske, J.D., Ralda, N.,

Hodges, R.R., and Zoukhri, D. Regulation of conjunctival goblet cell

secretion by Ca2+ and protein kinase C. Exp. Eye Res. 2000; 71:619-628.

R os, J.D., Forde, K., Diebold, Y., Lightman, J., Zieske, J.D., Dartt,

D.A., Development of conjunctival goblet cells and their neuroreceptor

subtype expression. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2000; 41: 2121-2137.

Diebold, Y., R os, J.D., Hodges, R.R., Rawe, I. and Dartt, D.A.

Localization of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves and receptors in

rat, mouse, and human conjunctival goblet cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis.

Sci. 2001; 42: 2270-82.

Shatos, M.A., R os, J.D., Hodges, R.R., and Dartt, D.A. Isolation,

characterization and propagation of rat conjunctival goblet cells in vitro.

Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2001; 42:1455-1464.

R os, J., Ferdman, D., Tepavcevic, V., Hodges, R.R., Zoukhri, D., and

Dartt, D.A. Role of Ca2+ and protein kinase C in cholinergic and ?1-

adrenergic agonists and EGF stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase

activity in lacrimal gland. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 2002; 506:185-190.

Dartt, D.A., Kanno, H., Rios, J.D., and Zoukhri, D. Role of mitogen-

activated protein kinase in cholinergic stimulation of conjunctival goblet

cell secretion. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 2002; 506:297-300.

Ota, I., Zoukhri, D., Hodges, R.R., Rios, J.D., Tepavcevic, V., Raddassi,

I., Chen, L.L. and Dartt, D.A. ?1-Adrenergic and cholinergic agonists

activate MAPK by separate mechanisms to inhibit secretion in lacrimal

gland. Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 2003; 284:C168-C168.

Kanno, H., Horikawa, Y., Hodges, R.R., Zoukhri, D. Shatos, M.A., R os,

J.D., and Dartt, D.A. Cholinergic agonists transactivate the EGFR and

stimulate MAPK to induce goblet cell secretion. Am. J. Physiol. Cell

Physiol. 2003; 284:C988-C998.

Horikawa, Y., Shatos, M.A., Hodges, R.R., Zoukhri, D. R os, J.D., Chang,

E.L., Bernardino, C.R., Rubin, P.A. and Dartt, D.A. Activation of mitogen-

activated protein kinase by cholinergic agonists and EGF in human compared

to rat cultured conjunctival goblet cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.

2003; 44 2535-2544.

Shatos, M.A., R os, J.D., Horikawa, Y., Hodges, R.R., Chang, E.L.,

Bernardino, C.R., Rubin, P.A. and Dartt, D.A. Isolation and

characterization of cultured human conjunctival goblet cells. Invest.

Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003; 44: 2477-86.

Ghinelli E., Johansson, J., R os, J.D., Chen, L.L., Zoukhri, D, Hodges, R.

R., and Dartt, D. A. Presence and localization of neurotrophins and

neurotrophin receptors in rat lacrimal gland. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.

2003; 44: 3352-3357

Chen, L., Johansson, J.K., Hodges, R., Zoukhri, D., Ghinelli, E., Rios, J.

D., Dartt, D. A. Differential Effects of the EGF family of growth factors

on protein secretion, MAPK activation, and intracellular calcium

concentration in rat lacrimal gland. Exp. Eye Res. 2005; 80:379-89.

R os, J.D., Horikawa, Y., Chen, L.L., Kublin, C., Hodges, R.R., Dartt,

D.A., and Zoukhri, D. Age-dependent alteration in lacrimal gland structure,

innervation and secretory response. Exp. Eye Res. 2005; 80:477-91.

R os, J.D., Shatos, M.A., Urashima, H., and Dartt, D.A., OPC-12759

increases the proliferation of cultured rat conjunctival goblet cells.

Cornea 2006 Jun; 25(5):573-81.

Hodges, R.R., R os, J., Chen, L.L., Tepavcevic, V., Zoukhri, D., and Dartt,

D.A. Adrenergic agonists transactivate the EGFR and stimulate MAPK to

inhibit lacrimal gland secretion. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Aug;

47(8):3352-9.

R os, J.D., E. Ghinelli, J. Gu and Dartt, D.A., Presence and localization

of neurotrophins and neurotrophins receptors in rat conjunctiva and their

role in stimulating goblet cell. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 April;

48(4):1543-1551.

Hodges, R.R., Horikawa, Y., Rios,J.D., Shatos, M.A., and Dartt, D.A.,

Effect of protein kinase C and Ca(2+) on p42/p44 MAPK, Pyk2, and Src

activation in rat conjunctival goblet cells. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Dec;

85(6):836-44.

Gu, J., Chen, L., Shatos, M.A., Rios, J.D., Gulati, A, Hodges, R.R., and

Dartt, D.A., Presence of EGF growth factor ligands and their effects on

cultured rat conjunctival goblet cell proliferation. Exp Eye Res. 2008 Feb;

86(2):322-34.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES:

. Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access

. Internet Explorer

. Windows XP

. MS Outlook

. Macintosh and IBM compatible formats

. Photoshop

. Sigma Stad

. Sigma Plot

. Genetic Computer Group

. NIH Image J analysis program

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