I began my scientific career at the University of Georgia while pursuing a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My early research involved overexpressing and isolating a plant seed protein, then measuring its structural changes in the presence of various lipid titrations using CD spectroscopy. With my sights set on graduate school, I enrolled in a graduate-level NMR course and joined an NMR lab where I isotopically labeled protein in bacteria with D, C13 and/or N15 for multidimensional NMR studies.
In 2002, I began graduate research at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill in the Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program. I joined a lab focused on computational protein engineering using the RosettaDesign algorithm, with a particular emphasis on redesigning E2–E3 protein interfaces within the ubiquitin pathway. My goal was to identify elusive substrates of the E3 ligase E6AP, implicated in the childhood neurological disorder Angelman Syndrome. To this end, I developed quantitative binding assays using fluorescence polarization, AUC, and ITC to measure affinity changes across ~200 wild-type and mutant E2–E3 interactions.
In 2007, I pursued a postdoctoral position in the Department of Chemistry at Emory University, aiming to merge computational and directed protein evolution techniques. Although fellowship funding for the initial project was not awarded, my contributions included determining the oligomeric states of thymidine kinases using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and AUC, and assessing their catalytic activity. In 2009, I transitioned to the Department of Biochemistry at Emory to study carcinogenesis in mammalian cells driven by mutations in the tumor suppressor BAP1. This work expanded my skills into cell biology, and in 2011, I was awarded a fellowship from the American Cancer Society to advance this research.
In 2013, I joined the biotech startup Glycosensors and Diagnostics, where I established a protein chemistry lab and produced the company’s first commercial product, earning inventorship on its patent.
In 2015, I moved to Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, joining the Biologics Analytical Development group with a mandate to build its biophysical characterization toolbox. As HOS and Particulates Team Lead, I managed scientists and implemented SV-AUC, FTIR, Raman, DSF, and qCD, while overseeing DSC, DLS, SoloVPE, HIAC, MFI, and intrinsic fluorescence. I served as project lead on early-phase antibody and ADC programs, managed comparative stability and extended characterization studies, contributed to IND sections, and collaborated with discovery and global product protection.
After promotion to Senior Scientist in 2019, I led a lifecycle management program, overseeing comparative stability, extended characterization, and particulates studies.
In 2020, I transitioned to the Takeda Vaccines Analytical Development group as Associate Director, supporting three vaccine programs as head of the Biophysical Center of Excellence. I managed five direct reports across two teams in Cambridge and Singapore, established SV-AUC and DSF internally, initiated peptide mapping externally, and managed assays including SEC-MALS, SEC-FFF, NanoSight, and DLS. I authored method development reports, comparability protocols, and MAA sections.
In 2021, I accepted a fully remote role at Akero Therapeutics, working on the late-stage Fc-fusion protein Efruxifermin. I served as project lead for DP comparative characterization and stability studies with a CTO, led data reporting and figure generation for regulatory filings, authored IND sections, and supported CDMO activities for DS and DP manufacturing.
After promotion to Director in 2022, I took a sabbatical to focus on health and well-being. Through the application of leadership principles, scripture, esoteric wisdom, and metaphysics, I transformed a period of sustained psychological manipulation and character defamation into an opportunity for growth — deepening my resilience, systems thinking, and ability to navigate complex human dynamics. During this time, I authored my memoir, From Behind Two Veils, documenting my journey from disruption to clarity.
Today, I am eager to return to biopharmaceutical development — bringing two decades of scientific expertise enriched by adaptability, insight, and stability forged through personal transformation. My mission is to help advance innovative therapies with the same rigor and integrity that have defined both my career and my life’s work.