Project Assistant

KRYSTAL M. WATKINS

860-***-**** ***********@*****.***

PROFILE

Experienced biologist with over eight years of bench research in academia and the biotech

industry. In addition to research experience, I have lead teams and directed research projects

with end point goals to enter a product into clinical trials. I have facilitated the transfer of

technology from research and development, to a manufacturing process under FDA regulations

and guidelines. I have implemented new models for testing clinical potency of a product, as well

as instated product improvements which have been pushed through to new clinical trials, and

participated in IND filings.

LABORATORY

SKILLS

Molecular Techniques: DNA and RNA isolation, Southern Blotting and hybridization of DNA,

Northern Blotting, probe preparation, real time PCR, Nanodrop, FISH, PCR arrays.

Protein Analysis: Purifying protein, Western Blotting, ELISA assays, immunohistochemistry

and immunofluorescence, Flow cytometry, FACS and MACS sorting, In-cell western (Odyssey).

Cell culture: Aseptic technique, primary human and mouse epidermal and dermal fibroblasts

culture, cell line culture, isolated bone marrow aspirates and cultured immune cells, co-culture

techniques, organ culture, media formulation, viral transfection, siRNA knockdown, RNAi.

Other Techniques: Tissue embedding and sectioning, maintaining and handling mice, IACUC

trained, mouse surgical skills, including zenograft techniques, GLP, GDRP, confocal and

fluorescent microscopy.

Software: Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, FlowJo, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon Act1,

LSM Image Browser, and Guava Cytosoft, document management systems.

EXPERIENCE

Aderans Research Institute, Atlanta, GA

Consultant Dec 2012- April 2013

Senior Scientist I Dec 2010- Dec 2012

Research Scientist II Feb 2008-Dec 2010

• Developed preclinical autologous stem cell therapies for the treatment of male pattern

baldness.

• Led research on a next generation product based on in vitro organogenesis; comprising

of a combination of cell and growth factors which elicit early pathways of hair follicle

morphogenesis.

• Collaborated on a research effort to identify and characterize follicular progenitor cells in

mouse and human skin.

• Established cell culture growth conditions for human dermal and epidermal cells to

maintain the hair inductive cell population in vitro

o Screened media additive growth factors for cell growth and activity, by viability

assays

o Tested co-culture methods, 3D culture systems, and extracellular matrix coatings

for hair inductive culture conditions

o Manipulated basic growth conditions such as temperature and oxygen to

determine the best growth conditions of epidermal and dermal cells

• Implemented new bioassay development for use in accessing product potency. This

newly developed bioassay tests the potential of dermal and epidermal cells to combine

together and form hair by combining cells and placing them surgically into a wounded

mouse skin and allowing for skin regeneration and fluorescent tracking of cells.

• Designed a protein marker panel for clinical product potency and purity by flow cytometry

and PCR. Validated markers with bioassays and RNAi knockdown.

• Tested multipotency and iPS potential of dermal cells using differentiation assays and

viral transfection.

• Presented results in internal and external meetings including: journal clubs, project

meetings, skin, stem cell, and hair conferences, and Scientific Advisory Board meetings.

• Played an integral role facilitating technology transfer from R&D to clinical trial

applications.

• Assisted in IND filings for clinical trial initiation.

• Working knowledge of design review and independent reviewer for product design control

• Managed company’s patent portfolio, including communication with lawyers, submission

of new patents, and performing modifications for patent completion.

• Managed a research laboratory under GLP compliance, with duties included ordering

supplies, overseeing equipment maintenance, and facilitating animal facility protocols.

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Sept 2004-Feb 2008

Research Specialist in the School of Veterinary Medicine

• Investigated defects in bone development, hematopoiesis and the immune system

function in mice with a Type X Collagen mutation which model a human

chondrodysplasia.

o Tested T cell function with immune challenge assays

o Determined immune function with ELISA assays measuring cytokine

concentrations within the serum

o Performed crossbreeding to combine new defects into the Type X Collage

mutation and genotyped mice with PCR and southern blotting

Project Consultant for Solixia, as a member of Penn Biotech Group Sept 2007-Dec 2007

• Worked as a team to characterize the market for specific breast cancer screening

techniques.

• Conducted interviews and literature searches to establish a target product profile for a

new scintimammography technology for breast cancer and presented findings to the

company.

Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI

Research Assistant February 2004-May 2004

• Investigated the underlying molecular mechanism for the increased incidence of cancer

in mice exposed to asbestos, specifically expressions profiles of alpha and beta intergrins

by western blotting.

Wet Lab Technician Sept 2000-May 2004

• Developed a diverse range of aquaculture related skills: culturing microscopic algae,

performing water quality analysis, raising fresh and salt water fish, culture of artemia and

rotifers, and collection of clams from Mount Hope Bay.

• Determined conditions to promote maximal growth and survival of clownfish, peppermint

shrimp, cleaner shrimp, and seahorses in a hatchery.

• Participated in a project that is part of the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative, analyzing

the feasibility of seeding bays with oysters for aquaculture use

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA May 2003-August 2003

Research Assistant- National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates

• Measured the differences in growth rates of the white sea urchin, L. pictus, in varying

environmental conditions.

• Developed an independent project measuring the effect of feeding frequency on growth

rates of L. pictus with protein concentration assays.

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Philadelphia, PA

December 2007

Masters of Biotechnology, Molecular Track

Roger Williams University School of Arts and Sciences, Bristol, RI

May 2004

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology

PUBLICATIONS

1. E. Sweeney, M. Campbell, K. Watkins, C.A. Hunter, O. Jacenko. “Alteredendochondral

ossification in collagen X mouse models leads to impaired immune responses.” DevDyn 2008

Oct;237(10):2693-704.

2. Y. Zheng, A. Nace, W. Chen, K.Watkins, L. Sergott, Y. Homan, J.Vandeberg, M. Breen, and

K. Stenn, “Mature Follicles generated from Dissociated cells: A Universal Mechanism of

Folliculoneogenesis.” DevDyn 2010 Oct;239(10):2619-26.

3. X Wu, L. Scott Jr., K Watkins, B. Marshall, C. Ingraham. ”Full-thickness skin with mature

cycling hair follicles from culture-expanded cells.” Manuscript in review.

4. B. Marshall, K. Watkins, X. Wu, C. Ingraham, K. Stenn. “SOX2 Expression in Human Scalp

Derived Follicular Progenitor Cells Correlates with Trichogenicity.” Manuscript in preparation.

PATENTS

K Watkins, W. Chen, Y Homan, K Stenn, Y. Zheng, A Nace. “Trichogenic Dermal Cell” Patent

Application inreview.

REFERENCES

Contact Name Company Years Known

Kurt Stenn Aderans Research Institute 5

609-***-**** Former Chief Scientific Officer

******@*******.***

Bryan Marshall Immucor, Inc 5

404-***-**** Principle Scientist

***********@*****.*** (Known from Aderans Research)

Michael Ensslin Otogenetics Corporation

404-***-**** Chief Scientific Officer 5

********@*****.*** (Known from Aderans Research)

Contact this candidate