Project Engineering

Senior Biomaterials Scientist

Anna Williams, PhD

** ******** **** **** ****,

Canton, Cardiff,

CF5 1EZ

U.K.

Email: *************@***.***

Tel: +44-29-205*****

SUMMARY

Senior biomaterials scientist with 9 years experience managing multidisciplinary research

projects in the following areas:

• Development of biocompatible therapeutic delivery systems using various

encapsulation processes, biomaterials and chemical modifications.

• Bio-recognition in natural polymer based systems (hydrogels and thin films) and cell-

biomaterial interactions.

• Production of biomimetic interfaces through use of molecular imprinted polymers

(MIPs) for therapeutics, including monitoring and delivery.

KEY SKILLS

• Project management

• Diverse project development skills, including next generation of new products and

improvements to current technologies

• People management, including leading, supervising and developing research staff

• Expertise in polymer systems, hydrogels, biomaterials, chemical modifications,

polymerization, biological chemistries, analytical chemistry, bio-engineering,

microencapsulation, capsule design and formulation, 2D and 3D polymeric systems

(including delivery and capture vehicles), biocompatibility, protein purification, cell

and molecular biology, biochemistry, and culture of primary cells and numerous cell

lines

• 10-15 years’ experience with various forms of microscopy, including SEM, TEM,

fluorescence and confocal

• Experience with numerous analytical techniques, including NMR, HPLC, SEC, ATR-IR,

FTIR, QCM-D, AFM, particle sizing, zeta potential, nitrogen adsorption, contact angle

measurements, FRET, DNA-hybridization studies, and various forms of spectroscopy

• Experience working according to guidelines (SOP, GMP, GLP, ISO)

• Trained in ISO10993, WHIMIS, biohazard control, radiation safety

• Ability to think outside the box and adapt to change

• Lecturing/teaching to varied audiences

• Writing grants and proposals

• Excellent writing skills, including communicating the outcome of scientific activities

through experimental reports, monthly reports, science reviews, publications and

presentations,

• Experience in outsourcing, forming collaborations and managing external

relationships

• Practice in IP creation, writing strategies, budgets and timelines

• Experience working closely with R&D, preclinical, QA, QC and production teams

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Living Cell Technologies (LCT), Auckland, NZ Senior

Biomaterials Scientist

Employers: Dr Andrea Grant (CEO) and Dr Paul Tan (Chief Science and Medical Officer)

2010-2013 Current

• Responsibilities: Product development and discovery. Design and evaluation of new

medical devices for LCT, specifically new encapsulation formulations and techniques

using synthetic and natural polymers for cell therapy and regeneration in the field of

Bioengineering. Specifically, optimisation of current products, DIABECELL and

IMMUPEL (reduce material-protein interactions), and development of IMMUPEL mark 2

and other therapeutic delivery systems. Others include:

o Staff supervision

o Overall project development and management

o Forming collaborations with outside sources

o Timelines and budgets

o Outsourcing work

An-Ex Analytical Services, Cardiff

Scientist

Employer: Dr Keith Brain and Dr Ken Walters

2010

• Responsibilities: Working within the contract research company involved client-

based research in the field of drug permeation and delivery. My duties were highly

project-dependent, involving a complete service to the clients, laboratory-based

research matching the clients’ needs, assay development and analytical work.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University Research

Associate/Grant Co-ordinator

Mentor: Professor Maryam Tabrizian

2006/2009

• Projects: Involved in multi-disciplinary research, incorporating the fields of molecular

imprinting, tissue engineering, hydrogel chemistry, and biocompatible polymers.

Some of my main interests included: the development of an imprinting technique that

enhances specific cellular interactions; understanding how material surface

topography, mechanical properties and biochemical stimulants affect cell attachment;

the delivery of drugs and proteins from natural polymer systems/hydrogels (2-D and

3-D).

• Responsibilities: Laboratory-based research, writing manuscripts, review articles,

book chapters, abstracts, posters and presentations. Peer reviewing and editing

articles from internal and external sources. Lecturing on “Tissue Engineering” as part

of graduate student course. Coordinator of a collaborative grant, which involved the

organization of grant reviews, biannual meetings and the writing of grant progess

reports. I am also involved in the initiation of new projects, writing grant applications,

student supervision and research within my own field of interest.

An-Ex Analytical Services, Cardiff

Consultant

Employer: Dr. Keith Brain

2005-2006

Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University

Post Doctoral Fellow

Mentor: Professor Maryam Tabrizian

2004-2005

• Project: Project involved the layer-by-layer surface modification of living cells using

biocompatible, natural polymers with the aim of developing a means of delivery and

biorecognition.

• Responsibilities: As above (McGill University, R.A. position).

EDUCATION

• Management training – communication, dealing with conflict, people

management, and coaching and mentoring,

• NAMSA Course: Biocompatibility of Medical Devices: Two Day Certification

Course aimed specifically at ISO:10993

• NAMSA Course: Regulatory Toxicology of Medical Devices: An Advanced

Course on ISO:10993

• Cardiff University, Welsh School of Pharmacy, PhD. (focus on bio-recognition

and molecular imprinting).

2000-2004

o PhD thesis: concerned with the development of bronchodilator specific bio-

recognition elements through the creation of molecular imprinted membrane

materials composed of methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, tri(ethylene

glycol dimethacrylate) and theophylline. Template specificity was confirmed in

the presence of structurally similar compounds by batch rebinding studies and

diffusion assays. Silicon microneedles were produced which allowed monitoring

of theophylline levels transcutaneously from human and porcine skin samples.

o Methodologies: atomic force microscopy (AFM), nitrogen adsorption, FTIR,

purification techniques, surface assembly modification of surfaces, Franz

diffusion methods, microtome sectioning, high performance liquid

chromatography (HPLC).

• University of Bristol, Department of Biochemistry, MSc (research based degree

in enzyme kinetics).

1999-2000

o MSc thesis: Purification and characterization of the restriction enzyme BspMI.

Chromatographic techniques and equilibrium centrifugation studies confirmed

BspMI to act as a dimer and enzyme kinetics studies established the

mechanism of cleavage on plasmid DNA.

o Methodologies: bacterial culture, enzyme, plasmid and DNA preparation,

protein purification techniques, restriction assays, scintillation counting,

Bradford assays, gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE.

• University College London, Department of Biochemical Engineering, MSc.

1998-1999

• Glamorgan University, Wales, BSc. 2.1 with honours (biology)

1995-1998

PUBLICATIONS

• Hillberg, A. L, Oudshoorn, M., Lam, J.B.B., Kathirgamanathan, K. (2013). Treatment of

Type 1 Diabetes through Xenotransplantation of Porcine Pancreatic Islets

Encapsulated within an Immunoprotective Capsule Comprising Photo-polymerized

Methacrylated Glycol Chitosan and Alginate. Submitted to Journal of Biomedical

Materials Research Part B.

• M. Oudshoorn, A. L. Williams, J.B.Lam, R. Elliott. “Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

through Xenotransplantation of Porcine Pancreatic Islets Encapsulated within an

Immunoprotective Capsule Comprising Photo-polymerized Methacrylated Glycol

Chitosan and Alginate”. 4th Asian Biomaterials Conference 2013.

• Hillberg, A.L, Kathirgamanthan, K., Lam, J.B., Garkavenko, O. & Elliot, R. (2013)

Improving Alginate –Poly-L-ornithine-Alginate Capsule Biocompatibility through Genipin

Cross-linking. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B. 101B (2), 258-268.

• Hillberg, A. L., Holmes, C. & Tabrizian, M. (2009). The Influence of Genipin Cross-

linking on the Adhesion Properties of Layer-by-layer Assembled Polyelectrolyte Films.

Biomaterials. 30 (27), 4463-4470.

• Hillberg, A. L., Brain, K. R. & Allender, C. J (2009). Design and evaluation of thin,

flexible theophylline imprinted polymer membrane materials. J. Mol. Rec. 22, 223-231.

• Hillberg, A. L. & Tabrizian, M (2008). Biomolecule imprinting: Developments in

mimicking dynamic recognition systems. ITBM-RBM. 29 (2-3), 89-104.

• Hillberg, A. L. & Tabrizian, M (2006). Biorecognition through layer-by-layer

polyelectrolyte assembly: In situ hybridization and cell viability studies. Biomacromolecules.

7, 2742-2750.

• Hillberg, A. L., Brain, K. R. & Allender, C. J (2005). Molecular imprinted polymer

sensors: implications for therapeutics. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 57, 12, 1875-1889.

• Gormley, N. A., Hillberg, A. L. & Halford, S. E. (2002). The type IIs restriction

endonuclease BspMI is a tetramer that’s acts concertedly at two copies of an asymmetric

DNA sequence. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 4034-4041.

PATENTS

• Williams A, and Lam B.B.J. Biocompatible Encapsulation System. N.Z. Patent

Application. April 2013

• Williams A, Lam B.B.J and Oudshoorn M. Alginate - Chitosan Encapsulation Systems

and Uses Thereof. N.Z. Patent Application. June 2013.

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

• A.L.Williams, M. Oudshoorn, J.B.Lam, R. Elliott. “Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes through

Xenotransplantation of Porcine Pancreatic Islets Encapsulated within an

Immunoprotective Capsule Comprising Photo-polymerized Methacrylated Glycol

Chitosan and Alginate”. 4th Asian Biomaterials Conference 2013.

• A.L.Williams, M. Oudhsoorn, J.B. Lam, R. Elliot. “Blocking Amine Groups on APA

Capsules and its Influence on Biocompatibility”. ISCT 2013, Auckland.

• A.L.Williams, K. Kathirgamanathan, J.B. Lam, O. Garkavenko, R. Elliott. “Improving

Biocompatibility of APA Capsules by Surface Modification. 9th World Biomaterials

Congress (WBC), Chengdu, China, June1-5, 2012.

• M. Muzina, K. Kathirgamanathan, M.Oudshoom, L. Escobar, P. Tan, R. Elliott, A.L.

Williams. “In vivo Delivery of Porcine Insulin from Living Cells using Alginate/Poly-L-

ornithine/Alginate Microcapsules” ASBTE Queenstown, 2011.

• S.N. Shapka, A.L. Hillberg, M. Tabrizian. “A Preliminary Study of Molecular Imprinting

within a Modified Chitosan Hydrogel”. World Chemical Engineering Congress,

Montreal, 2009.

• A. Hillberg, C. Holmes, M. Tabrizian. “Cross-linked Genipin Layer by Layer

Polyelectrolyte Films and the Affect on Cell Adhesion”. CBB Workshop, Montreal, 2009.

• A. Hillberg, C. Holmes, M. Tabrizian. “Cross-linked Genipin Layer by Layer

Polyelectrolyte Films and the Affect on Cell Adhesion”. CBS, Quebec, 2009.

• A. Hillberg, C. Holmes, M. Tabrizian. “Genipin Cross-linking and its affect on Cell

Adhesion Properties of Layer by Layer Assembled Polyelectrolyte Surfaces”. SFB,

Texas, 2009.

• A. Hillberg, C. Holmes, M. Tabrizian. “Influence of Genipin Cross-linking on Layer by

Layer Polyelectrolyte Developed Biocompatible Surfaces and its Impact on Cell

Adhesion”. SFB, Texas, 2009.

• A. Hillberg, M. Tabrizian. “Polyelectrolye-cell interactions”. SFB, Netherlands, 2008.

• A. Hillberg, C. Holmes, M. Tabrizian. “Cross-linking two-dimensional layer-by-layer

surfaces with Genipin: Cell attachment studies”. Biomedical Engineering Research

Day, McGill University, Mar. 08.

• A. Hillberg, “Polyelectrolytes at the biointerface”. December 2007, Grenoble, France.

• M. Tabrizian, A. Hillberg, “Hybridization of oligonucleotides through Layer-by-Layer

Nanocoating of living cells”, PacifiChem, December 2005, USA.

• A. Hillberg, M. Tabrizian, “Layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte cell encapsulation and its

potential use in anti-sense oligonucleotide delivery”, SFB, April 2005.

• A. Hillberg, C. Allender, K. Brain, “Development of specific functional elements for a

transcutaneous monitoring device incorporating a molecularly imprinted membrane”,

Conference of the Controlled release society, July 2003.

• A. Hillberg, C. Allender, K. Brain, “Organised template binding sites: Synthesis of

xanthine amides and the formation of mixed self- assembled monolayers”, MIP, 2002.

• A. Hillberg, C. Allender, K. Brain, “Molecular imprinting and its use in transcutaneous

monitoring”, Conference on Perspectives in Percutaneous Penetration, 2002.

• A. Hillberg, C. Allender, K. Brain, “Molecular imprinted membranes for use in

transcutaneous devices”, Polymer therapeutics, 2002.

• A. Hillberg, C. Allender, K. Brain, “Molecular imprinted membranes for use in

transcutaneous devices”, 41st Microsymposium Polymer Membranes, 2001.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Australasian Biomaterials Society

• Canadian Biomaterials Society

• Society of Molecular Imprinting

• Bioencapsulation Research Group

KEY ABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Personal Characteristics: Highly motivated and ambitious individual. The ability to earn

the respect and trust of people through intelligence, maturity, persuasiveness and a sense

of humour. Works well as part of a team and individually. Adapts easily to new work

environments and existing systems, whilst also bringing new ideas.

Results: An absolute commitment to achieve set objectives via a self-defined strategic,

planned and implemented approach.

Drive: The drive to continually improve key aspects of myself, my research and the

environment in which we all work.

Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm derived from the perspective that the greater the challenges the

greater the opportunities to make significant achievements and accelerate personal

development.

Analytical: The analytical skills to back every recommendation with objective, rigorous,

fact-based data.

Understanding: The ability to understand the Big Picture, identify problems/opportunities.

Creativity: The creativity to THINK, question, simplify and re-design to improve.

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