Development Data

Afia Akram, PhD

**** ********** *****, **********, ** • 203-***-**** • ****.*****@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

• Outstanding written, presentation and documentation skills

• Record of strong empirical research productivity as evidenced by publications in the prestigious peer-reviewed journals

• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy to ensure publications with highest level of scientific integrity and objectivity

• Ability to analyze and interpret complex scientific and clinical data in several therapeutic areas including:

Neuroscience, pain therapeutics, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation and metabolic disorders

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat

• Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data using advanced statistics (including SPSS and STATISTICA)

• Thorough understanding of documentation requirements related to the scientific and regulatory submission

• Proficient in AMA style and use of RefMan and EndNote

• Expertise in the development of scientific content for slides, posters, presentations

• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to manage a diverse workload and multiple priorities

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Neurosciences, 2010

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY

M.S. in Environmental Science, 1999

University of New Haven, CT

M.S. in Chemistry, 1997

University of Punjab, Pakistan

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Independent Scientific Writer, 2010- Present

• Analyzed and interpreted data to prepare accurate high-impact scientific manuscripts.

• Reviewed scientific papers for organization, clarity, consistency, use of English language/grammar and provided constructive criticism of technical issues, grammatical and textual errors.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2002- 2010

New York, NY

Doctoral Research

• Researched lipid dyshomeostasis as an underlying cause of neurological disorders in patient cohorts stratified along both clinical and neuropathological dimensions, using classical neuropathological as well as modern quantitative methods such as high throughput microarray, qPCR and immunohistochemistry

• Researched and interpreted data to prepare medical/scientific articles insuring the highest level of scientific accuracy

• Managed timelines and quality of work using strong organizational, communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills in a cross-functional team to ensure that projects were completed on time

• Reviewed and edited manuscripts for organization clarity, use of English language/grammar, and scientific standards

• Supervised technicians, mentored undergraduate students

• Developed and validated protocols for quantification of novel proteins

• Researched scientific topics utilizing in-house resources, libraries, and databases

Wyeth, 2001-2002

Pearl River, NY

Analytical Assay Development Chemist

• Developed analytical methods using HPLC, LC-MS and other techniques to determine potency and purity of drug substances and drug products and characterization of impurities and degradation products

• Prepared and reviewed analytical test procedure specifications, method validation protocols and method transfer protocols

• Critically evaluated and interpreted experimental data for conclusions and resolution of problems

• Conducted research in compliance with all applicable safety and regulatory guidelines, such as SOPs, cGMP, FDA regulations and MSDS

• Provided well-written, accurate and timely reports. Assisted with departmental training

• Prepared, reviewed and approved analytical data, technical reports and analytical methods in support of and for inclusion in the regulatory submissions

• Established collaborative working relationships with product and process development, and other groups to ensure consistency of analytical methods throughout the drug development process

• Ensured compliance with US and international regulatory requirements. Provided excellent written and oral communications and project management skills

• Worked efficiently to ensure that projects closely followed preset timelines and deadlines

Pfizer, 1999 - 2001

Groton, CT and Brooklyn, NY

Analytical Chemist

• Conducted chemical and physical assays using HPLC, GC, TLC, FTIR, TOC, and extensive wet chemistry in support of pharmaceutical development projects.

• Followed products from initial research stage to production.

• Calibration of laboratory equipment and maintenance of accurate and complete laboratory records as required by the company policy and cGMP.

• Performed laboratory analysis, such as finished product testing, dissolution testing, stability testing, raw material testing, cleaning verification testing and manufacturing in-process testing.

• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects and meet timelines.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

1. Association of ApoE and LRP mRNA levels with dementia and AD neuropathology. Akram A, Schmeidler J, Katsel P, Hof PR, Haroutunian V. Neurobiology of Aging. 2012 Mar;33(3):628.e1-628.e14.

2. Increased expression of RXRα in dementia: an early harbinger for the cholesterol dyshomeostasis? Akram A, Schmeidler J, Katsel P, Hof PR, Haroutunian V. Molecular Neurodegeneration. 2010 Sep 15;5:36.

3. Increased expression of cholesterol transporter ABCA1 is highly correlated with severity of dementia in AD hippocampus. Akram A, Schmeidler J, Katsel P, Hof PR, Haroutunian V. Brain Research. 2010 Mar 8;1318:167-77.

4. FE65 binds Teashirt, inhibiting expression of the primate-specific caspase-4. Kajiwara Y, Akram A, Katsel P, Haroutunian V, Schmeidler J, Beecham G, Haines JL, Pericak-Vance MA, Buxbaum JD. PLoS One. 2009;4(4):e5071.

5. Dementia severity dependent dysregulation of components of the cholesterol trafficking machinery, ABCA1 and SCARB1, in AD brain. Akram A., Hof P.R., Haroutunian V. Program No. 43.15. Society for Neuroscience, 2009, Chicago, IL.

6. Stereologic estimates of total spinophilin-immunoreactive spine number in area 9 and the CA1 field: relationship with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Akram A, Christoffel D, Rocher AB, Bouras C, Kövari E, Perl DP, Morrison JH, Herrmann FR, Haroutunian V, Giannakopoulos P, Hof PR. Neurobiology of Aging. 2008 Sep;29(9):1296-307.

7. Coordinated transcriptional and translational changes in cholesterol transporters correlate with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Akram A., Katsel P., Hof P.R., Haroutunian V. Program No. 45.8. Society for Neuroscience, 2008, Washington, DC.

8. Changes in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol trafficking with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Akram A., Katsel P., Hof P.R., Haroutunian V. Program No. 795.9. Society for Neuroscience, 2007, San Diego, CA.

9. Association of the expression levels of lipid related genes with determinants of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Akram A., Hof P.R., Davis, K.L., Haroutunian V. Program No. 274.11. Society for Neuroscience, 2006, Atlanta, GA.

10. Lipid transport and metabolism genes are upregulated in early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Akram A., Katsel P., Hof P.R., Haroutunian V. Presented at 60th Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry. May 19-21, 2005, Atlanta, GA.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• Graduate fellow of the year at University of New Haven (1997-1998) GPA 4.0

• Gold Medal (for top position) at University of Punjab (1995-1996)

• National Merit Scholarship

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