Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the advertised scientist position.

My academic and biopharmaceutical background in pharmacology, immunology, cellular and molecular biology has prepared me to continue extending my career in a pharmaceutical company. I am an independent scientist motivated to make use of my accumulated skills and knowledge to contribute to the right company.

I was trained as a medical doctor and finished my rotation and residency before I received my Ph.D. in Pharmacology from National University of Singapore. My Ph.D. work focused on evaluating small molecule kinase inhibitors for the treatment of asthma. After getting my Ph.D., I came to Dr. Michael Croft’s lab in La Jolla (La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology - LIAI) to study the cellular and molecular mechanism of immunotherapy that targets the TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) receptor member, OX40, in inflammatory diseases and cancer. I was promoted to the position of Instructor at LIAI. I then worked as a scientist at Crucell Vaccine Institute, developing novel vaccines for prostate cancer.

Through these experiences, I have gained competence in both in vitro and in vivo research. I excel at designing, executing, and analyzing experiments in an independent manner. I have extensive hands-on experience with a myriad of experimental techniques, including cell culture, histology (H&E staining, immunohistochemistry staining and immunofluorescence staining), ELISA, ELISpots, multi-color Flow Cytometry, immunoblot, and quantitative RT-PCR. Therefore, when necessary, I am able to utilize my knowledge to trouble-shoot and solve problems for others. Moreover, I am friendly and reliable, excellent at communicating verbally and in writing. I mentored many science students, including undergraduates, Master & Ph.D. graduate students and junior postdoc researchers during my Ph.D. and postdoc period.

My work has been published in peer-reviewed journals in the field of immunology and inflammatory diseases. Highlights include published work in The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and The Journal of Immunology, as well as reviews in Trends in Immunology, Immunological Reviews and Current Drug Targets. While my focus to date has been on inflammatory disease and immunology, I would welcome the opportunity to extend my knowledge base to other disciplines.

Thank you very much for considering my resume. I look forward to the opportunity to meet in person and to learn more about this opportunity.

Kind regards,

Wei Duan, Ph.D.

Wei Duan, Ph.D.

7405 Charmant Dr., #2027

San Diego, CA 92122

Email: ab06b4@r.postjobfree.com

Cell: 858-***-****

Professional Experience

2012 - 2013 Scientist

Crucell Vaccine Institute, Johnson & Johnson, La Jolla, CA

2011 - 2012 Research Scientist

La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA

Michael Croft lab

2005 - 2011 Postdoctoral fellow

La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA

Michael Croft lab

2000 - 2005 PhD

Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

Fred Wong Wai-Shiu lab

1995 - 2000 Resident

Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China

Education

Ph.D. Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 2000 - 2005

M.D. Beihua University, Jilin Medical School, China 1990 - 1995

Research working experience

Scientist 06/2012 – 03/2013

Crucell Vaccine Institute, Johnson & Johnson, La Jolla, CA

Investigate new technologies and identify creative solutions to develop novel vaccines for prostate cancer. Design, execute, analyze, and present experiments. Plan and optimize biochemical and cell-based assay development. Interface with third party vendor for coordinating clinical samples arrangement. Collaborate with other scientists and technicians in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Research Scientist 01/2011 – 05/2012

La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA

Michael Croft lab

Investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod) agonists in mediating the development of systemic Th2 immune responses. Design, execute, analyze, and present experiments. Write manuscripts and submit manuscript for publication. Communicate and collaborate with other scientists. Mentor and train junior postdoc researchers and Ph.D. graduate students.

Postdoctoral fellow 07/2005 – 01/2011

La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA

Michael Croft lab

Investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism of immunotherapy targeting the TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) receptor member, OX40, in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Design, execute, analyze, and present experiments. Write manuscripts and publish research paper. Communicate and collaborate with other scientists. Mentor and train Ph.D. graduate students, and undergraduate students.

Research Skills

Cellular Biology & Immunology

In Vivo

In Vivo animal models of inflammation diseases

Mouse handling and restraint,

Injection techniques (intranasal, intratracheal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intraperitoneal, intravenous)

Blood withdrawal techniques (tail Veins, orbital venous plexus, cardiac puncture)

Serum or plasma preparation

Isolate immune cells

In Vitro

Histology: H&E, IHC (Immunohistochemistry) & Immunofluorescence staining

Flow cytometry (up to 8-color staining, both intracellular and cell surface staining) and flow cytometry based screening and sorting experiments

Bio-plex, ELISA & ELISPOT assays

T cell proliferation assay & Treg suppression assay

Cell cultures (primary cell culture and cell line culture)

Monoclonal antibody generation

Tetramer generation and conjugation with fluorophore

Human subjects research

Isolate human PBMCs

FACS staining and sorting using human PBMCs

Molecular Biology

Transfection and protein expression

DNA & RNA extraction

RT-PCR

Real-time PCR

Western blot

Infect cells with virus

Virus plaque assays & determine MOI (multiplicity of infection)

Respiratory Pharmacology

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cytospin & differential cell counting

Whole body plethysmography (Buxco) and measurement of AHR (airway hyperresponsiveness)

Acute and chronic lung inflammation rodent models

Respiratory function and inflammation assessment

Publications

1. Guimond DM, Cam NR, Hirve N, Duan W, Lambris JD, Croft M, Tsoukas CD. Regulation of Immune Responsiveness In Vivo by Disrupting an Early T-Cell Signaling Event Using a Cell-Permeable Peptide. PLoS One. 2013 May 7;8(5):e63645.

2. Soroosh P, Doherty TA, Duan W, Mehta AK, Choi H, Adams YF, Mikulski Z, Khorram N, Rosenthal P, Broide DH, Croft M. Lung-resident tissue macrophages generate Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and promote airway tolerance. J Exp Med. 2013 Apr 8;210(4):775-88.

3. Croft M, Duan W, Choi H, Eun SY, Madireddi S, Mehta A. TNF superfamily in inflammatory disease: translateing basic insights. Trends Immunol. 2012 Mar;33(3):144-52.

4. Duan W, So T, Mehta AK, Choi H, Croft M. Inducible CD4+LAP+Foxp3- Regulatory T Cells Suppress Allergic Inflammation. J Immunol. 2011 Dec 15;187(12):6499-507.

5. Magalhaes JG, Rubino SJ, Travassos LH, Le Bourhis L, Duan W, Sellge G, Geddes K, Reardon C, Lechmann M, Carneiro LA, Selvanantham T, Fritz JH, Taylor BC, Artis D, Mak TW, Comeau MR, Croft M, Girardin SE, Philpott DJ. Nucleotide oligomerization domain-containing proteins instruct T cell helper type 2 immunity through stromal activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(36):14896-901.

6. Duan W, Mehta AK, Magalhaes JG, Ziegler SF, Dong C, Philpott DJ, Croft M. Innate signals from Nod2 block respiratory tolerance and program TH2-driven allergic inflammation. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Dec;126(6):1284-93.

7. Croft M, So T, Duan W, Soroosh P. The Significance of OX40 and OX40L to T cell Biology and Immune Disease. Immunol Rev. 2009 May;229(1):173-91.

8. Duan W, So T, Croft M. Antagonism of airway tolerance by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide through promoting OX40L and suppressing antigen-specific Foxp3+ T regulatory cells. J Immunol. 2008 Dec 15;181(12):8650-9.

9. Becart S, Charvet C, Canonigo Balancio AJ, De Trez C, Tanaka Y, Duan W, Ware C, Croft M, Altman A. SLAT regulates Th1 and Th2 inflammatory responses by controlling Ca/NFAT signaling. J Clin Invest. 2007 Aug 1;117(8):2164-2175.

10. Duan W, Wong WS. Targeting mitogen-activated protein kinases for asthma. Curr Drug Targets. 2006 Jun;7(6):691-8.

11. Duan W, Chan JH, McKay K, Crosby JR, Choo HH, Leung BP, Karras JG, Wong WS. Inhaled p38alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase antisense oligonucleotide attenuates asthma in mice. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Mar 15;171(6):571-8.

12. Duan W, Aguinaldo Datiles AM, Leung BP, Vlahos CJ, Wong WS. An anti-inflammatory role for a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 in a mouse asthma model. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 Mar;5(3):495-502.

13. Duan W, Chan JH, Wong CH, Leung BP, Wong WS. Anti-inflammatory effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor U0126 in an asthma mouse model. J Immunol. 2004 Jun 1;172(11):7053-9.

14. Chue SC, Seow CJ, Duan W, Yeo KS, Koh AH, Wong WS. Inhibitor of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, but not p38 MAPK, attenuated antigen challenge of guinea pig airways in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Aug;4(8):1089-98.

15. Seow CJ, Chue SC, Duan W, Yeo KS, Koh AH, Wong WS. Effects of inhibitors of the tyrosine signalling cascade on antigen challenge of guinea pig airways in vitro. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2004 Sep;33(5 Suppl):S41-3.

16. Duan W, Kuo IC, Selvarajan S, Chua KY, Bay BH, Wong WS. Antiinflammatory effects of genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on a guinea pig model of asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003 Jan 15;167(2):185-92.

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, Prism, Endnote

Applications: Flow cytometry software including FlowJo, Cell Quest, BD LSRII, FACS Calibur, Canto, Aria

Clinical Skills

Radiology residency and specialty

Skills to make diagnosis from plain X-ray film, CT and MRI

General Medicine Core Clerkship

Knowledge for the natural history, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of medical illness

Skills to recognize and manage basic clinical problems

Skills to record histories, physical examinations, and laboratory data for patients and present the findings, together with the diagnoses and treatment plans

General Surgery Core Clerkship

Skills for evaluation and treatment of a variety of surgical diseases

Basic surgical skills in the operating room and in the emergency department setting

Basic Gynecology and Obstetrics Clerkship

Skills to care for patients with common gynecological problems

Physical examination skills in the evaluation and management of pregnancy and gynecologic surgical procedures in the outpatient clinics, Labor and Delivery, and the operating room.

Child Health Clerkship

Basic skills to work with children and families

Awards and Honors

2008 STAR (Strategic Training in Allergy Research) Award, AAAAI 2008,

Philadelphia, USA

2003 WAO Travel Award (World Allergy Organization Congress – XVIII ICACI), Vancouver, Canada

2002 FASEB Travel Award (XIVth World Congress of Pharmacology), San Francisco, USA

2000 – 2004 Research Scholarship, National University of Singapore, Singapore

1990 – 1995 Outstanding Medical Student Scholarship, Jilin Medical College, China

International Conference Abstracts

1. Duan W, So T, Croft M. OX40 and LPS synergize to regulate airway tolerance and inflammation. 2008 AAAAI meeting, Philadelphia, PA

2. Duan W, Croft M. Airway tolerance regulation by the costimulatory molecule OX40 via antigen-specific regulatory T cells. 2007 TNF meeting, Asilomar CA

3. Duan W, Croft M. Regulation of airway tolerance and antigen-specific regulatory T cells by the costimulatory molecule OX40. 2007 AAI meeting, Miami FL

4. W.S.F. Wong, J.H.P. Chan, W. Duan, H.H. Choo, B.P. Leung, K. McKay, J.R. Crosby and J. Karras (2004) Respirable p38 (mitogen-activated protein kinase antisense oligonucleotide attenuates asthma in mice. 9th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, Hong Kong, Dec 10-13. Respirology 9: A86 (Abst. 184).

5. W. Duan, J.H.P. Chan, B. Leung and W.S.F. Wong (2003) Anti-inflammatory effects of U0126, a MEK inhibitor, on a mouse model of asthma. World Allergy Organization Congress-XVIII ICACI, Vancouver, Canada, Allergy Clin Immunol Int: J. World Allergy Org 1: Abst. O-3-2.

6. C.J. Seow, S.C. Chue, W. Duan, K.S.L. Yeo, A.H.M Koh and W.S.F. Wong (2003) Inhibitor of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase, but not p38 MAPK, attenuated antigen challenge of guinea pig airway in vitro. 7th NUS-NUH Annual Scientific Meeting, Singapore, Abst. C-4.

7. E. Candra, J.H.P. Chan, W. Duan, H.H. Choo, B.P. Leung, J. Karras and W.S.F. Wong (2003) Respirable p38a mitogen-activated protein kinase antisense oligonucleotide attenuates asthma in mice. 7th NUS-NUH Annual Scientific Meeting, Singapore, Abst. E-10.

8. W. Duan, J.H.P. Chan, B. Leung and W.S.F. Wong (2003) Anti-inflammatory effects of U0126, a MEK inhibitor, on a mouse model of asthma. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol 7: Abst. P19-16.

9. E. Candra, J.H.P. Chan, W. Duan, H.H. Choo, B.P. Leung, J. Karras and W.S.F. Wong (2003) Respirable p38a mitogen-activated protein kinase antisense oligonucleotide attenuates asthma in mice. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol 7: Abst. P19-15.

10. W. Duan, I.C. Kuo, S. Selvarajan, K.Y. Chua, B.H. Bay and W.S.F. Wong (2002) Anti-inflammatory effects of genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on an in vivo guinea pig model of asthma. World Congress on Immunopathology, Sinigapore. Int’l. J. Immunorehab. 4: Abst 21.

11. W.S.F. Wong, K.S.L. Yeo, W. Duan, S.Y. Chan and B.H. Bay (2002) Quantitative analysis of atopic dermatitis in guinea pigs: Anti-allergic effects of inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade. World Congress on Immunopathology, Sinigapore. Int’l. J. Immunorehab. 4: Abst 8.

12. K.S.L. Yeo, W. Duan, S.Y. Chan, B.H. Bay and W.S.F. Wong (2002) Quantitative analysis of atopic dermatitis in guinea pigs: Anti-allergic effects of inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade. 6th NUS-NUH Annual Scientific Meeting, Singapore.

13. W. Duan, M.L. Shoon, S.Y.K. Low, S. Selvarajan, B.H. Bay and W.S.F. Wong (2002) Anti-inflammatory effects of genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on an in vivo guinea pig model of asthma. Pharmacologist 44 (Suppl 1): Abst 134.27.

14. W.S.F. Wong, W. Duan, F. Tsang, C.C. Sung, M.L. Shoon, K.S.Y. Low, S. Selvarajan and B.H. Bay (2001) Anti-inflammatory effects of inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade on a guinea pig model of asthma. BioMedical Asia 2001 Singapore, ET-31.

15. W. Duan, F. Tsang, I.C. Kuo, K.Y. Chua and W.S.F. Wong (2001) Anti-inflammatory effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on guinea pig model of asthma. The International Conference on Fundamental Sciences: Biological & Chemical Sciences, Singapore, P115.

References will be available upon request

Contact this candidate