Torian Williams Stinnette, M.S.
*** ******** **, ********** ** 19403
Email: ***************@*****.***
Phone: 267-***-****
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1998
Master of Science in Developmental Biology Thomas Jefferson University 2004
SUMMARY STATEMENT
Innovative, ambitious, and detailed oriented scientist with multiple drug modality experience in oncology, autoimmunity [inflammation/Immunology], and neuroscience seeking a Principle Scientist or Associate Director role in biological sciences. Research tenure include diverse technical skills [cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, ex-vivo and in-vivo studies], pre-clinical assay development [including HTP screening], project management with cross-functional teams, as well as CROs, critical data analysis, competitive intelligence, contract negotiations, presentations, and contribution to IND submissions.
TECHNICAL/LABORATORY SKILLS
Assay Development [target validation, compound activity, HTP cell profiling, etc]
oEx-vivo and in-vitro co-cultures
oLigand binding
oImmunoassays – ELISA [chemiluminescence, fluorescence, luminescence]
oBioassays – immune cell targeting, antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity [ADCC] assay
Functional Assays
oMolecular – western, southern, and northern blots, RT-PCR, RNA isolation, protein extraction and purification, transient and stable cell line generation using plasmid DNA or viral vectors (such as Lentivirus or AAV), and plasmid preparation and upscale
oCellular – proliferation, cell cycle, degradation, apoptosis [Caspace Marker, Annexin V, TUNEL assay], migration, differentiation, cytokine/chemokine release, toxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), HiBiT Assays
oBiochemical – kinase signaling using Elisa or protein arrays, G-protein coupled signaling (cAMP), degradation analysis using multi-color flow cytometry, western blots, or immunocytochemistry
In-vivo Models
oMouse xenograft studies, arthritic inductions [CIA and AIA models], small biodistribution studies, rodent dosing [i.p, subQ, i.v. and oral], necropsies, small surgical procedures, cardiac punctures, synovial membrane excision, extraction of active and inactive peritoneal macrophages, removal of spinal cord for synaptosome preparation
Microscopy/Imaging
oImmunofluorescence (IF/ICC), organ tissue freezing techniques, frozen and paraffin tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Other
oHanding of radioactive material (chromium, gadolinium, 99nTc, and indium), NIH image analysis software, imagePro analysis system, Biomek Liquid Handler, HighRes, Multidrop combi, Echo Liquid dispensing
LEADERSHIP AND EXTERNAL INNOVATION
Identify opportunities to accelerate targets/assets to clinical phases [i.e improving human validation]
Identify innovative and novel targets as well as emerging technologies using various databases
Implement strategies to critically evaluate potential assets that are aligned with therapeutic “unmet needs” to support portfolio
Set goals and metrics that will determine success/POC pre-clinically, as well as a return investment
Collaboration with external partners (academia and biotech/pharm industries) and proficiency in applying soft skills to establish rapport and develop meaningful relationships with external partners
Experience and knowledge of the drug development process
Comfortable under conditions of ambiguity and utilizing disruptive opportunities
Direct management of 3-4 Interns with individual assigned projects
Management of CROs for pre-clinical drug discovery
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Principle Scientist • Proteovant, Inc., King of Prussia, PA • 11/2022 – 10/2023
Therapeutic Area: Oncology, UPS and degraders
Responsibilities: Design, execute, interpret, and troubleshoot pre-clinical in-vitro profiling assays for translational studies and identification of potential biomarkers
As in individual contributor, support multi-disciplinary teams to identify, develop, and implement methods to support Target ID, biomarkers, patient stratification, and mechanism of action for the development of protein degraders for cancer, immune-oncology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas
Work in collaboration with chemistry, structural biology, DMPK, bioinformatics, and additional matrix team members to drive programs through all phases of drug discovery and translational sciences
Lead the design, development, and execution of innovative cell-based assays to support progression of programs through all phases of drug discovery
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present research findings at project team meetings, leadership meetings, and external scientific conferences
Ensure data quality and data integrity
Lead and contribute to target assessment endeavors
Mentor junior scientists and associates
Principle Scientist • DeepCure, Boston, MA • 05/2022 – 07/2022
Therapeutic Area: Oncology and Immunology – small molecules
Responsibilities: Biology Lead for portfolio projects, Drive early-stage drug discovery programs from target validation through IND
Work closely and in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Biology and Chemistry to help build and expand the current portfolio.
Adopt, adapt and deliver on strategy towards internal target development, specifically biological validation that is aligned to maximize the application company’s AI platform.
Assist in the design and implementation of novel computational and experimental approaches to internal data generation.
Represent biology on cross-functional and strategic teams, including external collaborations.
Provide oversight for work conducted by CROs
Senior Principle Scientist • Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN • 02/2012 – 04/2022
Therapeutic Area: Neuroscience/Neuroimmunology – small and large molecules
Responsibilities: Project Management, Assay development, and Laboratory Bench Work
Cross-functional collaboration with chemistry, ADME scientist, and other TA departments to reduce redundancy and optimize pre-clinical in-vitro and ex-vivo studies with high impact on early portfolio entry
Performed competitive intelligence and SWOT analysis
Offer ideas of novel targets outside the narrow scope of neuroscience by utilizing literature searches, conference presentations, and clinical databases
Develop flow schemes and timelines for pre-portfolio new targets of interests
Develop efforts to improve human validation for newer targets in early discovery
Offer significant scientific and technical contributions to portfolio and exploratory projects, including independent development, design, implementation, and troubleshooting
Responsible for supervising, mentoring, and training interns and SEED students on cell culture techniques, molecular and biochemical assays, as well as flow cytometry.
Therapeutic Area: Oncology Business Unit
Responsibilities: Project Management and S&E
Utilized various resources and tools [databases] to identify potential novel targets or platforms that are within the oncology unit focused areas
Assist with the critical evaluation of new targets or assets from small biotechnology companies or academia
Make recommendations [monitor, additional experiments needed, financial partnership, licensing of asset or acquisition] based on review of the company’s pre-clinical package, as well as clinical trail protocol, biomarkers, safety profile and efficacy endpoints
Attend pre-clinical and clinical meetings, as well as Ops meeting to discuss updates on current assets
Research Scientist • Endocyte, Inc, West Lafayette, IN • 02/2007 – 02/2014
Therapeutic Area: Immunology/autoimmunity – Folic Acid Drug Conjugates and Small molecules
Responsibilities: Assay Development and Laboratory Bench Work
Designed, implemented, analyzed and troubleshoot various immune-and cell-based and in-vivo studies [AIA and CIA arthritic animal models]
Independent assay development and optimization, utilizing flow cytometry, biochemical and molecular analytic endpoints
Cross-functional collaboration with external partners to perform toxicity and biodistribution studies
Associate Scientist I • Medimmune, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD • 05/2004 – 08/2006
Therapeutic Area: Oncology – Large molecule
Responsibilities: Laboratory Bench Work
Support pre-clinical oncology research efforts involving tyrosine kinases
Engaged and took initiatives to learn new techniques
Collaborated with other senior scientists and associates to share resources to accelerate asset in pipeline
Presented monthly presentations on project update to discovery teams in a research forum
Attended conferences as an invited speaker and poster presenter
Lead Cell Biologist • Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA • 02/2002 – 05/2004
Therapeutic Area: Toxicology and Oncology
Responsibilities: Project Management, Assay Development, Laboratory Bench Work
Developed and optimized key in-vitro toxicity studies, including kidney cell toxicity and liver microsomal (TIER II assay) for developed diagnostic contrast agents
Developed an in-vitro acute inflammation model using monocytes/endothelial cell adhesion assay
Assisted with small pharmacokinetics (biodistribution) studies in mice
Developed and optimized a binding assay involving tumor vasculature in a Lewis Murine lung metastasis animal model
Performed collagen extraction and purification procedure in rat myocardium to assist in-vivo team
Associate Scientist • GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA • 08/2001 – 01/2002
Therapeutic Area: Oncology – small molecules
Responsibilities: Biomarker Validation, Assay Development, Laboratory Bench Work
Supported pre-clinical in-vitro studies that heavily involved cell biology assays and performing necropsies, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunocytochemistry (ICC)
Developed ex-vivo biomarker for translational studies
INVITED SPEAKER
“Target Cancer Therapies” Meeting, Sponsored by CHI. Cambridge, MA. September 2005
Presentation: “Antibody Targeting of EphA4 Tyrosine Kinase Induces Phosphorylation and Inhibits Malignant Behavior in Pancreatic Tumor Cell.”
PUBLICATIONS
Dicker AP, Williams TL, Grant DS. Targeting angiogenic processes by combination rofecoxib and ionizing radiation. Am J Clin Oncol, 2001 Oct; 24 (5): 438-42.
Grant DS, Williams TL, Zahaczewsky M, Dicker AP. Comparison of antiangiogenic activities using paclitaxel (taxol) and docetaxel (taxotere). Int J Cancer. 2003 Mar 10;104(1):121-9
Dicker AP, Williams TL, Iliakis G, Grant DS. Targeting angiogenic processes by combination low-dose paclitaxel and radiation therapy. Am J Clin Oncol. 2003 Jun;26(3):e45-53.
Lu Y, Stinnette TW, Westrick E, Klein PJ, Gehrke MA, Cross VA, Vlahov IR, Low PS, Leamon CP. Treatment of experimental adjuvant arthritis with a novel folate receptor-targeted folic acid-aminopterin conjugate. Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Apr 4; 13(2): 1-18.
Henne WA, Kularatne SA, Ayala-López W, Doorneweerd DD, Stinnette TW, Lu Y, Low PS. Synthesis and activity of folate conjugated didemnin B for potential treatment of inflammatory diseases. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2012 Jan 1;22(1):709-12
Lu Y, Wollak KN, Cross VA, Westrick E, Wheeler LW, Stinnette TW, Vaughn JF, Hahn SJ, Xu LC, Vlahov IR, Leamon CP. Folate receptor-targeted aminopterin therapy is highly effective and specific in experimental models of autoimmune uveitis and autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Clin Immunol. 2014 Jan;150(1):64-77.
ABSTRACTS
T. W. Stinnette, and S.P. Arneric. How do biased u-opioid receptor and non-biased agonists differ on receptor desensitization and downstream signaling? Accepted, 44th Annual Meeting, Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.
T. W. Stinnette, C. L. A. Ruble, S.P. Arneric. 6TM and 7TM Variants of the µ-Opioid Receptor (MOR) in Human and Mouse Tissues. Accepted, 43rd Annual Meeting, Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Torian L. Williams, Adam P. Dicker, Diane R. Connor, and Derrick S. Grant. Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Continuous Low Dose Taxanes Causes Growth Delay of Choriocarcinoma (Jeg-3) in Nude Mice. Accepted, 93rd Annual Meeting, American Association of Cancer Research, San Francisco, CA.
Adam P. Dicker, Torian L. Williams, and Derrick Grant. A Potential Anti-Angiogenic Strategy. Accepted, 42nd Annual Meeting, American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, Boston, MA
Adam P. Dicker, Torian L. Williams, and Derrick S. Grant. Targeting Angiogenic Processes by Combination Low Dose Squalamine and Radiation Therapy. Accepted, 92nd Annual Meeting, American Association of Cancer Research, New Orleans, LA.
Torian L. Williams, Derrick Grant, and Adam P. Dicker. Evaluating the Anti-angiogenic Properties of Docetaxel (Taxotere) in Combination with Radiation. Accepted, 92nd Annual Meeting, American Association of Cancer Research, New Orleans, LA.
A. P. Dicker, T. Williams, M. Zahachewsky, and D.S. Grant. Targeting Angiogenic Processes by Inhibition of COX-2 with Rofecoxib (Vioxx) and Ionizing Radiation. Accepted for oral presentation, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, 43rd Annual Meeting.
Adam P. Dicker, Derrick Grant, Torian Williams, Pramila Rani Anne, Roseann Bonanni, Carolyn Sidor, Edward Gubish, and Walter Curran. Phase I Trial results and preclinical studies of recombinant human Angiostatin (rhA) and Radiotherapy. AACR-NCI-EORTC Annual Meeting, Miami FL, submitted for publication.
Adam P. Dicker, Torian Williams, and Derrick Grant. Inhibition of angiogenesis using rofecoxib (Vioxx) and Ionizing Radiation. European Cancer Conference – ECCO II, Eisbon Portugal.