Alejandra Saavedra, PhD.

347-***-**** ad4sgo@r.postjobfree.com. Los Angeles. CA.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemi-alejandra-saavedra-avila-8b594123/ Objective Statement

Dynamic and dedicated cancer immunologist with 11+ years of research experience, specializing in unraveling intricate immune system mechanisms. Proven track record as both a leader and team player in multidisciplinary environments, passionate about translational research. Recognized for innovative problem-solving skills, initiative, and effective communication demonstrated through presentations and publications. Seeking opportunities to apply expertise and drive impactful advancements in cancer immunology.

Professional Research Experience

Appia Bio/ Translational Scientist II 2023-2024

A Los Angeles company focuses on stem cell-derived CAR iNKT cells, providing “off-the-shelf” allogeneic cellular therapies for leukemia, multiple myeloma, and autoimmune conditions. Validation of diverse assays for Phase I clinical trials, such as ddPCR, MSD, and Luminex assays, aims to evaluate treatment effectiveness, toxicity, and response to CAR-T cell therapy post-transfusion. Additionally, the position involved designing, proposing, and implementing innovations in Phase I of the clinical trial.

Earli Inc./ Scientist 2023

A Redwood, CA startup specializes in innovative methods for tumor detection and localization. The project entails investigating improvements to formulations used in cancer detection and localization, with a focus on reducing the risk of Cytokine Release Syndrome. Tasks involve designing and conducting assays to pinpoint the specific components of these formulations that induce toxicity, identifying the receptors involved in immune cell responses, and proposing modifications to enhance their effectiveness during development. The role includes designing, validating, and executing rapid in vitro assays to efficiently detect toxicity or potential efficacy. Additionally, a sophisticated genetic platform will be utilized to develop immunotherapies that can complement standard care protocols.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Postdoctoral Fellow & Staff Scientist (Faculty) 2014-2023 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bronx, NY Project: Generate humanized models to study iNKT cells, study molecular modifications for anti-tumor immunotherapy, analyze iNKT cell orchestration against solid tumors and metastasis in humanized models (colon cancer, melanoma, liver cancer).

Technical Specialties

Molecular Biology: DNA and RNA manipulation (PCR, qPCR, ddPCR), 10x genomics and analysis of results by Seurat and other software. Cloning, transformation, transfection, microorganism detection/identification. Design, validation and execution of high throughput assays and cellular assays.

Animal Manipulation: Mice Work in SPF2 conditions, genotyping, strain maintenance, anesthesia, drug administration, euthanasia, blood extraction, adoptive transfers, surgeries, tissue extraction and process, work with humanized mice. Generation of new strains and characterization. Design and execution of in vivo, ex vivo, in vitro protocols using different tissues. Use of several cancer models to test treatments including melanoma, hepatic carcinoma, and colon adenocarcinoma.

Immunology: Specialist on cytometry (LSR, LSRII, Canto, Canto II, Aria, Cytek Aurora-panels up to 30), Proliferation of T and B cells, generation of hybridoma, measurement of proteins, purification, derivation and manipulation of cell subpopulations, ELISA / MSD, Luminex, ELISPOT, cytotoxicity, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence. Process human tissues and blood to quantify different parameters and perform for in vitro experiments and in vivo experiments in humanized mouse. N Alejandra Saavedra Avila, PhD.

Education

Ph.D., Biomedicine 2009-2013

University of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. Honor: Summa cum laude. Thesis: The role of cyclin D3 in pancreatic β-cell metabolic fitness and viability in a cell cycle-independent manner.

M.Sc.,Immunology 2007-2008

Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico. Honorific Mention. Thesis: Contribution of the intrinsic adjuvant properties of the antigen in the diversification of the antibody repertoire.

B.S., Food Chemistry 2001-2007

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico. Thesis: Contributions of the porins of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in antibody diversification trough TLRs. Relevant publications

A Humanized Mouse Model Coupled with Computational Analysis Identifies Potent Glycolipid Agonist of Invariant NKT Cells. Noemi A Saavedra-Avila, Natalia B Pigni, Donald R Caldwell, Florencia Chena-Becerra, Jose Intano Jr, Tony W Ng, Divya Chennamadhavuni, Steven A Porcelli, José A Gascón, Amy R Howell. 2024. ACS Chemical.

A humanized mouse model for in vivo evaluation of invariant Natural Killer T cell responses. Noemi Alejandra Saavedra Avila, Paolo Dellabona, Giulia Casorati, Amy Howell, Steven A Porcelli. 2022. Frontiers in Immunology

Amide-Linked C4 “Saccharide Modification of KRN7000 provides potent Stimulation of human invariant NKT cells and anti- tumor immunity in a humanized model. Noemi Alejandra Saavedra-Avila, Santosh Keshipeddy, Matthew J Guberman- Pfeffer, Ayax Pérez-Gallegos, Neeraj K Saini, Carolina Schäfer, Leandro J Carreño, José A Gascón, Steven A Porcelli, Amy R Howell. 2020. ACS Chemical Biology.

Dual modifications of α-Galactosylceramide Synergize to Promote Activation of Human Invariant Natural Killer T cells and Stimulate Anti-tumor Immunity. *Divya Chennamadhavuni, *Noemi Alejandra Saavedra-Avila, Leandro J Carreño, Matthew J Guberman-Pfeffer, Pooja Arora, Tang Yongqing, Rhys Pryce, Hui-Fern Koay, Dale I Godfrey, Santosh Keshipeddy, Stewart K Richardson, Srinivasan Sundararaj, Jae Ho Lo, Xiangshu Wen, José A Gascón, Weiming Yuan, Jamie Rossjohn, Jérôme Le Nours, Steven A Porcelli, Amy R Howell. 2018. Cell Chemical Biology. *1st author equal contribution

Synthetic glycolipid activators of Natural Killer T cells as Immunotherapeutic Agents. Leandro J Carreño, Noemí A Saavedra- Ávila, Steven A Porcelli. 2016. Clinical & Translational Immunology. Complete Bibliography https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tXjaV50AAAAJ&hl=es Awards

2020 William R. Jacobs, Jr. Award for outstanding contributions to discussions in seminars. 2018 AECOM. Liver Center Grant (PI). Serial Stimulation of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells with Covalently Stabilized Bispecific T Cell Engagers Generates Anti-Tumor Immunity.

2013 Excellent Cum Laude Thesis PhD, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain. 2013 Short stay bursary from University of Lleida - Richard Flavell Lab, Immunobiology Department, University of Yale, USA. 2012 Scholarship. Short stay at Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain. 2009 PhD Scholarship, Institute of Science and Technology of the Federal District (ICyTDF), Mexico. 2009 PhD Scholarship, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain. 2008 Honorific Mention Thesis M. Sc. Immunology, Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico. 2007 Master’s Scholarship, National Commission on Science and Technology (CONACyT) on an Excellence Science Program, Mexico City, Mexico

Additional Skills and Interests

Language: English, Spanish, Catalan Interests: Travel, marathon running, cinema, art.