Masters graduate with a degree in Medicinal chemistry, preparing to take on a new role in the Pharmaceuticals/ Biotech industry in the Spring of 2024. My goal is to contribute to the discovery and design of novel Biologics.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Associate
Fredrick National Labatory
10.2024 - Current
Purification of wide library of proteins
Performed Microscale Purification for Protein Scouting
Performed Large scale purification on FPLC
Conjugation Scientist
Rangam Consultants for Astrazeneca
08.2023 - 04.2024
Executed Antibody-drug conjugate reduction, optimized and developed conjugation process
Conducted post-conjugation chromatography purification process development and optimization
TFF/UFDF process development
Researched and presented internally on state-of-the-industry TFF processes for antibody-drug conjugates
Graduate Researcher (Dr.Heppner's Research Group)
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
08.2020 - 02.2023
Conducted original research on drug design and optimization of protein kinase inhibitors
Collected Synchrotron data for X-ray crystallography and experience with protein structure refinement (PDB ID's 7UKW & 7UKV)
Contributed to experimental design by optimizing design of small molecule inhibitors and coordinated project directions with collaborators in Germany
Biochemical and cellular characterization of novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Experience using Alphafold for protein construct design and in vivo ligand docking for small molecules
Experience mentoring post-baccalaureate students in experimental procedures and setting up new research lab and role as a lab safety officer
Organic Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
08.2020 - 12.2022
Devised and presented lecture material on a weekly basis for over 60+ students
Oversaw students safe technical execution of experiments in a wet lab setting
Graded and provided feedback to student's coursework material
VCU Chemistry Dept. Research Assistant (Dr. Farrell's Research group)
Virginia Commonwealth University
05.2019 - 08.2020
Synthesized biomimetic Zn-finger probes & Pt -based compounds used in anti-cancer applications
Performed Fluorescence Quenching Assays for Pt compounds
VCU Psychology Dept. Research Assistant (Dr.Nao Hagiwara's Research Group)
Virginia Commonwealth University
08.2018 - 08.2020
Organized community based outreach program to gather data about patient focused experience regarding healthcare disparities in the surrounding Richmond area
Performed experiment coding and participated in weekly literature reviews
VCU Chemistry Dept. Stockroom Clerk
Virginia Commonwealth University
12.2017 - 05.2020
Aided graduate students and faculty in sourcing materials and samples for research experiments
Organized and managed communal resources as part of responsibilities of the department
Education
Master of Science - Medicinal Chemistry
SUNY University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
02.2023
BS - Biochemistry, Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
05.2020
Skills
Assay Execution and Interpretation
Biochemical and Cellular Assays
Computer-aided Docking
Structure Determination
X-ray Crystallography
Chemical Analysis
Protein Analysis
Setting up Crystal Trays
Immunoassays
Western Blotting
SDS-PAGE
Mentoring
Teaching
Chromatography (SEC)
Affinity Chromatography (IEX, IMAC, ProA)
Experience using an AKTA & NGC's
Tangential Flow Filtration
Experience working with ADC's
Cell Culturing (Bacteria & Eukaryotic)
Protein Purification
Experience with Unicorn
Experience with OpenLab
Patents
Benzodiazepinone-derived inhibitors of EGFR and HER2, Heppner, David, Laufer, Stefan, Wittlinger, Florian, Blessing, Ogboo, Pham, Calvin, Rasch, Alexander, 02/08/23
Publications
Linking ATP and allosteric sites to achieve superadditive binding with bivalent EGFR kinase inhibitors, Florian Wittlinger, Blessing C. Ogboo, Calvin D. Pham, Ilse K. Schaeffner, Surbhi Chitinis, Tahereh Damghani, Tyler S. Beyett, Alexander Rasch, Brian Buckley, Daniel Urul, Tatiana Shaurova, Earl May, Erik Schaefer, Michael J. Eck, Pamela A. Hershberger, Stefan A. Laufer, David E. Heppner, Submitted, 2023, https://chemrxiv.org/engage/chemrxiv/article-details/63e3b58c068fd759792faa80
Structural Basis for Inhibition of Mutant EGFR with Lazertinib (YH25448), David E. Heppner, Florian Wittlinger, Tyler S. Beyett, Tatiana Shaurova, Daniel A. Urul, Brian Buckley, Calvin D. Pham, Ilse K. Schaeffner, Bo Yang, Blessing C. Ogboo, Earl W. May, Erik M. Schaefer, Michael J. Eck, Stefan A. Laufer, Pamela A. Hershberger, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2022, 13, 12, 1856-1863
Presentations
Jacobs School of Medicine: Protein Science Seminar, Structure-activity relationship of mutant-selective EGFR inhibitors that span the orthosteric and allosteric sites, Spring 2022
SUNY Buffalo: Graduate Student Symposium, Targeting mutant EGFR with 'Two-in-one' ATP-allosteric hybrid inhibitors, Spring 2022
Timeline
Research Associate
Fredrick National Labatory
10.2024 - Current
Conjugation Scientist
Rangam Consultants for Astrazeneca
08.2023 - 04.2024
Graduate Researcher (Dr.Heppner's Research Group)
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
08.2020 - 02.2023
Organic Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
08.2020 - 12.2022
VCU Chemistry Dept. Research Assistant (Dr. Farrell's Research group)
Virginia Commonwealth University
05.2019 - 08.2020
VCU Psychology Dept. Research Assistant (Dr.Nao Hagiwara's Research Group)
Nurse Coordinator, Occupational Health Nurse at Spectrum Healthcare ResourcesNurse Coordinator, Occupational Health Nurse at Spectrum Healthcare Resources