Medical Manager
Resume:
J. David Rios
* ******* ******, **********, ** **803
Telephone: 781-***-**** Cell; 781-***-**** Home; Email:********@*****.***
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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