Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

M.S. in Chemical Science (Concentration: Biological Chemistry); May 2019

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

B.S. in Chemistry, High Distinction, May 2017

RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

Biophysics Senior Research Scientist

Aug 2019 - Present

DNA-encoded Library Department, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Cambridge, MA

Goal: Identify and validate hit molecules from DNA-encoded library and machine learning-predicted binders

● Design high-throughput mass spectrometry-based binding assays to build a machine learning model for DNA-encoded library binding prediction, and test over 1,000 compounds annually

● Evaluate binding affinity of E3 ligase ligands for proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) development

● Identify optimal buffer conditions to monitor protein stability that minimize protein precipitation

● Generate and analyze large mass spectrometry datasets to help develop automated data processing software

● Led a team of three people to organize the first GSK Scientific Flash Talk, which attracted >100 participants globally

Structural Biophysics Co-op Intern

May 2018 - Dec 2018

Biophysics and Protein Structural Science Department, GlaxoSmithKline, Philadelphia, PA

Master Thesis: Understanding the Relationship between Human Kinase and Antibody Binding

● Identified and characterized the binding of a human kinase and its corresponding antigen to guide the structure-based vaccine antigen design

● Designed and optimized crystallization conditions for antibody-protein complexes

● Monitored and visualized protein dynamics by color-mapping hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) peptide-resolution data onto three-dimensional protein structures

● Developed and optimized antibody digestion protocol to produce functional antigen-binding fragments (Fab)

Graduate Researcher

Jan 2018 - May 2018

School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Goal: Screening synergistic drug combinations and identifying optimal drug pairs for treating neurofibromatosis

● Developed and optimized cell-based high throughput screening assay for measuring synergistic and antagonistic effects for efficacy to guide the determination of various drug dosages

● Maintained and evaluated cancer cell lines proliferation using ATP concentration assays

● Identified dose-effect relationship by interpreting large scale screens data and using relevant computer software

Research Assistant

Feb 2016 - May 2017

Leckband Lab, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Undergraduate Thesis: Immobilization of Fluorescently-labeled Phosphoglycerate Kinase (PGK-FRET) at Self-assembled Monolayer Surfaces (SAMs)

● Assembled and launched a linear stage system to produce hydrophobic and hydrophilic SAMs for contact angle measurement to study surface properties

● Measured protein binding kinetics on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces with surface plasmon resonance (SPR)

● Analyzed extensive real-time SPR data for kinetic analysis, equilibrium analysis, and concentration analysis

Research Assistant

May 2014 - Aug 2014

Hong lab, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Goal: Expressing and purifying ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease FtsH in E. coli to support Alzheimer’s research

● Grew colony and performed induction of protein in large scale cultures

● Performed cell lysis, protein extraction, and protein purification

● Organized lab equipment and maintained a clean working environment to ensure lab safety and work efficiency

● Participated in weekly group meetings with the PI and five graduate students to discuss and solve problems

LEADERSHIP & TEACHING EXPERIENCES

Healthcare Consultant

Sep 2018 - May 2019

Penn Biotech Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

● Proposed a competition-based pricing strategy for a drug candidate that has gained FDA fast track designation

● Optimized the time and cost of managing drug supplies in clinical trials by conducting market research for a late-stage biopharmaceutical company

● Investigated competitive landscape for similar drug candidates using Wharton databases and literature searches

● Collaborated with five colleagues across various MBA, Ph.D., and Master’s programs to propose a pricing strategy

Director of Finance

Aug 2018 - May 2019

LPS Student Government, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

● Managed the Student Finance Department; maintained cash flow statements and ensured that financial reporting was done in full compliance with student government’s regulations

● Established open communications with VPs of Communications, Social, and Policy to ensure students across all departments were served

Teaching Assistant

Aug 2016 - Dec 2016

Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

● Led weekly lab sessions and group discussions for 28 undergraduate students

● Met with students one-on-one to answer questions and explain key concepts for >50 hours per semester

● Prepared and organized reagents for lab experiments

● Created and updated course materials, such as syllabus, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, and course websites

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Laboratory: Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Microscale Thermophoresis (MST), X-ray crystallography, Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange (HDX), Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry, Thermal Shift Assay (TSA), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Protein purification, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), High-performance LC, High-throughput Screening, Cell culture, Gel electrophoresis, NMR Spectroscopy, Multiangle Light Scattering

Computer: BLAST, PyMOL, Spotfire, ChemDraw, MOE, Python