Resume 2018
Resume:
Vitaly Balan, Ph.D.
East Amherst, NY 248-***-****
Accomplished Senior Scientist
Highly accomplished senior scientist focused on the identification of new targets and biomarkers in cancer and age-related diseases. Analyzed and examined complex data and evaluated the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data in order to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy. Excels at Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis and the assessment of transcriptome profiling using Bioconductor and open source software as well as CLC BIO Genomics Workbench. Experience with novel techniques to produce high throughput data and platforms for its analysis. Created reusable Macros and developed R Programs for Data Cleaning, Validation and Analysis and Report generation. Analyzed and examined complex data and evaluated the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data in order to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy. During my work in start-up company I completed multiple research project in data analysis, which allowed me to strengthen my skills in critical thinking. I am a self-starter; team player and multitasker strive to consistently exceed expectations.
Core Expertise
Data analysis and identification of biological pathways and networks crucial for viability of targeted cells.
Applied advanced statistical techniques for existing and on-going research projects.
Worked extensively with large datasets with sample sizes over 40 and with over 20 attributes.
Integrating Omics data for signaling pathways, interactome reconstruction, and functional analysis.
Patents
Galectin-3 nsSNPs: Markers for cancer. Raz, A., Balan, V., Nangia-Makker, P. Wayne State University USSN 12/365,588
Gene Discovery
Isolation and identification of the new gene D-NAAM. In: Balan V et al. (2008) Lifespan extension and neuronal cell protection by Drosophila nicotinamidase. JBC 238 (41): p. 278**-*****
Professional Experience
Everon Biosciences Buffalo, NY
Bio-pharma firm dedicated drug discovery treating age-related diseases and ageing.
Senior Scientist, 2013 - Present
Group leader responsible for target identification, signaling pathway analysis, and data meta-analyses from NGS and shRNA screens, as well as developing of new models for HTS screen. Created analysis datasets and decided analysis methods based on data structures and analysis objectives. Conducted statistical analyses, generated tables and figures, reviewed research plans, wrote research manuscripts and technical reports as well as developed standards operating procedures (SOPs). Presented and interpreted methods and results to principal investigators on a regular basis. Held full responsibility for activities involving data management, data collection, statistics and programming for several large research projects. Excel in mining of publicly available data and Post Hoc Analysis. Performed Quality Checks on the existing table, listing and figures.
Key Contributions:
• Developed pipelines for WGS and differential expression analysis of RNA sequencing data using R, Bioconductor and open source software.
• Designed and composed SOPs and statistical plans.
• Performed meta-analysis of genome-wide drop-out screen for different cancers and senescent cells with integration of the results with metabolomic data.
• Developed new models for HTS screening of chemical libraries.
Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University Detroit, MI
Assistant Professor, 2011 - 2013
Taught bioinformatics (Research Technologies in Cancer Research (CB7990): “Methods of Gene and Protein Analysis”) to undergraduate students. Supervised and trained post-doctorate candidates and junior research staff. Provide consulting support for study design and statistical analysis. Wrote grants and manuscripts based on data obtained in the laboratory. Analyzed and examined complex data and evaluated the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data in order to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
Key Contributions:
•Developed personalized treatment based on evaluation of gene expression profiles, proteomic and metabolomics differences of individual patients.
Research Associate, 2006 – 2011
Member of research group focused on discovery of new cancer biomarkers. Prepared analysis results in Excel and presented statistical and research results to the group. Attended project team meetings, worked with Data Managers and Clinical Research Managers as appropriate. Reviewed and provided feedback for Data Integrity Plans.
Key Contributions:
•Discovered and functionally characterized an involvement of nsSNP in genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
•Participated in development of novel biomarkers panel for personalization of cancer therapy.
•Analyzed expression profiles of different tissues and role of galectin-3 on cell proliferation and angiogenesis.
Texas A&M University Temple, TX
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2003 – 2006
Discovered and characterized nicotinamidase gene (dNAAM) an upstream regulator of Sir2 in metazoans and demonstrates a lifespan extending ability of its overexpression in flies. Discovered mechanisms that regulate the activity of the proto-oncogene c-Raf and modulate activity of MAPK signaling pathway. This work contributed to an in-depth understanding of c-Raf regulation. Designed and developed in vivo and in vitro assay for evaluation of nicotinamidase activity.
Ben-Gurion University Beer-Sheva, Israel
Assistant Teacher, Department of Life Sciences, 1996 - 2003
Science staff faculty member accountable for undergraduate instruction on genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, genetic engineering and zoology.
Education and Credentials
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel
MS in Biochemistry/Microbiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel
Professional Certifications
Drug Discovery, Development & Commercialization ~ Exploratory Data Analysis ~ Getting and Cleaning Data ~ R Programming ~ Interactive Programming in Python ~ The Data Scientist’s Toolbox ~ Python for Genomic Data Science ~ Command Line Tools for Genomic Data Science ~ Unix W
Select Publications
Aging of mice is associated with p16(Ink4a)- and β-galactosidase-positive macrophage accumulation that can be induced in young mice by senescent cells. Hall BM, Balan V, Gleiberman AS, Strom E, Krasnov P, Virtuoso LP, Rydkina E, Vujcic S, Balan K, Gitlin I, Leonova K, Polinsky A, Chernova OB, Gudkov AV. Aging (Albany NY). 2016 Jul;8(7):1294-315. doi: 10.18632/aging.100991.
Balan V., Wang Y., Nangia-Makker P., Kho D., Heilbrun L., Raz A., Bajaj M., Smith D., Heath E. Galectin-3: a possible complementary marker to the PSA blood test. Oncotarget 2013, Apr 4
*Leicht D., *Balan V., Zhu J., Kaplun A., Bronisz A., Rana A., and Tzivion G. Mek-1 activates c-Raf through a Ras-independent pathway. BBA-MRC 2013, Jan 27 *These authors contributed equally to this work.
Balan V1., Nangia-Makker P., Kho D., Wang Y., and Raz A. Tyrosine phosphorylated galectin-3 is resistant to PSA cleavage. JBC 2012, Jan 9 1 Corresponding author
Balan, V., Nangia-Makker, P., Raz, A. Galectins as biomarkers. Cancers 2010, Apr 2
Balan, V., Nangia-Makker, P., Schwartz, A. G., Jung, Y. S., Tait, L., Hogan, V., Raz, T., Wang, Y., Yang, Z. Q., Wu, G. S., Guo, Y., Li, H., Abrams, J., Couch, F. J., Lingle, W. L., Lloyd, R. V., Ethier, S. P., Tainsky, M. A., and Raz, A. Racial disparity in breast cancer and functional germ line mutation in galectin-3 (rs4644): a pilot study, Cancer Res 2008 Dec; (68): p. 100**-***** Featured paper
Additional courses and certifications
COBOL, In silico Docking (University of Bologna, Italy),
An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python - License Number EHNA77UBT8
Certification URL - https://www.coursera.org/signature/certificate/EHNA77UBT8
R Programming - License Number ZSNEW56CF3
Certification URL - https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/verify/ZSNEW56CF3
Drug Discovery, Development & Commercialization - License Number LKUWV25Y4C
Certification URL - https://www.coursera.org/signature/certificate/LKUWV25Y4C
Getting and Cleaning Data - License Number J2V2ZXFN5B
Certification URL - https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/verify/J2V2ZXFN5B
Exploratory Data Analysis - License Number PZTCC5M3G8
Certification URL - https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/verify/PZTCC5M3G8
Awards, Honors, Research Fellowships
Travel Grant from Gordon Research Conference “Matrix Metalloproteinases” (2011) Smithfield, RI, USA
Grant from Gordon Research Conference “Biology of 14-3-3 Proteins” (2004) Ventura, CA, USA
Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship, (1999-2003) University of Ben-Gurion, Israel
Excellent Student Scholarship, (1988-1993) Tiraspol State University, Moldova
Patents
Galectin-3 nsSNPs: Markers for cancer. Raz, A., Balan, V., Nangia-Makker, P. Wayne State University USSN 12/365,588
Editorial Activity
2014 – Editorial Board in Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research
2012 - Editorial Board and Lead faculty in Cancer: WebmedCentral,
2012 - Editorial Board: Dataset Papers in Biology
2012 - Lead Guest Editor Scientific World Journal (Biochemistry)
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