Experienced bench scientist

Professional experience

Associate Scientist **/**16-present

Remote Viral Clearance

Wuxi AppTec, Philadelphia PA

-Performs viral clearance studies and virus purification using AKTA chromatography systems (Explorer and Avant). Proficient with UNICORN methods writing for purification processes and proficiency in turnarounds of AKTA systems

-Performs viral clearance studies using pressurized vessels with various filters including Planova filters (20N, completed BIOEX training)

-Position requires proficiency in Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)/ultrafiltration/diafiltration for harvest concentration and purification

-Accurately completes batch records and other required documentation according to and in compliance with GLP, cGMP, CFR and/or PTC guidelines and SOPs.

-Provides technical and scientific expertise to project managers and reports data changes for testing and other necessary information for communication with clients.

-Writes and develops SOPs and testing batch records for in house virus purification processes and client's viral clearance studies

-Performs technical reviews of testing batch records

-Position requires the ability to receive, comprehend and effectively communicate detailed information through verbal and written communication and record data accurately and legibly.

-Position requires the ability to use Microsoft word, STARLIMS and company’s various databases

Senior research associate I/II 08/2013-02/2016

Antibodies operations

Integral Molecular, Philadelphia PA

- Planned/executed immunoassays of purified proteins, supernatants, sera, hybridomas by ELISA, flow cytometry FACS (Intellicyt), and immunofluorescence staining with 6, 24, 96 and 384 well plates manually and with MDT automated workstations or robots.

- Proficient in SDS-PAGE, coomassie, western blot, binding kinetics of purified and unpurified antibodies (Octet ForteBio biosensor)

- Performed small and large scale antibody/protein and virus like particles production (transient transfection and hybridomas culture).

- Performed PBMCs and sera preparation from animal whole blood; performed mycoplasma testing by PCR; conducted endotoxin removal and testing of purified samples for animal studies.

- Proficient in various purification methods: manual and automated (Bio-Rad Duo flow) affinity chromatography, sucrose spin, PEG precipitation, and TFF (Tangential Flow Filtration).

- Coordinated outsourced animal immunizations for antibody development projects, planned experiments and analyzed data, recorded details in electronic lab notebook and presented results at weekly meetings.

- Developped SOPs and protocols; conducted training of new and current employees in antibody production, purification and various QC techniques (Flow cytometry, ELISA, IF, Biosensor, etc).

- Position required ability to manage multiple projects among cross-functional teams, excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and management skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Prism.

Research associate II 11/2010- 08/2013

Antibodies operations

Integral Molecular, Philadelphia PA

- Performed cell culture to express recombinant proteins including monoclonal antibodies and virus like particles using transient tansfection; performed hybridomas subcloning for monoclonal antibodies production. - Performed protein purification by column/batch affinity chromatography manually or automated system (Biorad DuoFlow FPLC), sucrose spins, PEG precipitation, ammonium sulfate precipitation and TFF (Tangential Flow Filtration) or UF/DF - Conducted analytical assays of purified proteins/supernatants/animal sera: ELISA, SDS-PAGE, coomassie, western blot, flow cytometry (Intellicyt), binding kinetics (Octet ForteBio), DLS (dynamic light scattering), immunofluorescence staining, endotoxin removal and testing. - Participated in the development of SOPs and protocols, analyzed data, recorded details in lab notebook, presented results and prepared weekly reports; participated in the coordination of outsourced animal immunizations. - - Position required ability to manage multiple projects among cross-functional teams, excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and management skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Associate scientist, Protein Purification 8/2009-10/2010

Recovery Operations/Clinical Active Supplies/GMP Operations

GlaxoSmithKline, Upper Merion PA

- Worked in Biopharm R&D downstream operations. Participated in the day-to-day purification activities including column packing, column chromatography including affinity (MabSelect), Ion exchange (CM, Mustang Q, cHA), pH inactivation, DV20 filtration, Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration (UF/DF) and buffer preparation in the GMP manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies using automated Liquid Chromatography units.

-Worked in various levels of clean environment with good aseptic/sterile techniques following gowning requirements; complied with GMP and GSK safety codes and regulations; reviewed manufacturing batch records for accuracy and completeness; participated in n processes; lead quality investigations and wrote minor GMP deviations and performed internal safety and level 1 audits.

Research technician 05/2008- 10/2009

Molecular Retrovirology Laboratory BL-2, Division of Infectious Diseases

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA

-Constructed DNA plasmid vectors using recombinant DNA cloning techniques; performed ethanol precipitation, PCR purification and gel extraction of DNA samples (mini and maxi prep). Performed transduction of mammalian brain cells with HIV virus and applied glucose to mimic hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic conditions. Performed total protein quantification, ELISAs and western blot. Maintained laboratory notebooks and performed laboratory related tasks.

Laboratory manager 06/2009- 08/2009

Summer Science at Jefferson program for High school students

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA

-Assisted faculty and walked students through protocols of experiments (cell culture, DNA/RNA mini prep, PCR sequencing setup, ELISA and western blotting); enforced laboratory safety rules.

Education

Master of Science in Biotechnology/Applied Molecular Technologies

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA 07/2007-08/ 2008

GPA: 3.62

B.A in Biology, College of Science and Technology

Temple University, Philadelphia PA 2002- 2006

GPA: 3.23

References available upon request

Published work

1. Exposure of epitope residues on the outer face of the chikungunya virus envelope trimer determines antibody neutralizing efficacy. Fong RH, Banik SS, Mattia K, Barnes T, Tucker D, Liss N, Lu K, Selvarajah S, Srinivasan S, Mabila M, Miller A, Muench MO, Michault A, Rucker JB, Paes C, Simmons G, Kahle KM, Doranz BJ. J Virol. 2014 Dec;88(24):14364-79. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01943-14. Epub 2014 Oct 1.

2. Potent dengue virus neutralization by a therapeutic antibody with low monovalent affinity requires bivalent engagement. Edeling MA, Austin SK, Shrestha B, Dowd KA, Mukherjee S, Nelson CA, Johnson S, Mabila MN, Christian EA, Rucker J, Pierson TC, Diamond MS, Fremont DH. PLoS Pathog. 2014 Apr 17;10(4):e1004072. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004072. eCollection 2014 Apr.

3. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting the acid-sensitive region in chikungunya virus E2 protects from disease. Selvarajah S, Sexton NR, Kahle KM, Fong RH, Mattia KA, Gardner J, Lu K, Liss NM, Salvador B, Tucker DF, Barnes T, Mabila M, Zhou X, Rossini G, Rucker JB, Sanders DA, Suhrbier A, Sambri V, Michault A, Muench MO, Doranz BJ, Simmons G. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2013 Sep

4. "Mechanism of Binding to Ebola Virus Glycoprotein by the ZMapp, ZMAb, and MB-003 Cocktail Antibodies" by Edgar Davidson, Christopher Bryan, Rachel Fong, Trevor Barnes, Jennifer M. Pfaff, Manu Mabila, Joseph Rucker, and Benjamin Doranz. JVI01490-15R1. 2015 Sep.

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