Associate Director of Chemistry

Posted on: 2007-02-18

EDUCATION Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry - Emory University, Atlanta, GA - 1989 "Spectroscopic Studies of Polyoxometalates", GPA 3.6/4.0 B.S., Chemistry - College of Charleston, Charleston, SC - 1985 Honors Thesis: "Modeling Studies of -bis-para-anisyl alkanes", cum laude ACADEMIC HONORS Phi Kappa Phi Research Award Julian Parker III Research Award Phi Lambda Upsilon (National Honorary Chemical Society) Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society Pi Mu Epsilon Math Honor Society The American Institute of Chemists Award to Outstanding Student Majoring in Chemistry Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Nominated for Outstanding Women Student in Chemistry Award (Awarded by Iota Sigma Pi) Awarded Grants-in-Aid of Research by Sigma Xi (the Scientific Research Society) PROFESSIONAL HONORS Guest Speaker, North Jersey American Chemical Society Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group, February 2007 Guest speaker, Spark Holland Users meeting, On-line SPE: A High Throughput Strategy for Quantitation and Characterization of Peptide Hormones and Their Metabolites in Biological Matrices, September 2006 Featured in Drug Discovery and Development magazine, June 2005 Guest speaker, Spark Holland Users meeting, Quantitation of small molecules in plasma versus whole blood using SPE, October 2004 Guest speaker, 3M corporation, Development of Affinity Membrane Technology and its Applications in Pharmaceutical Industry using LC-MS, May 2004 Genentech award in recognition of accomplishment on LFA1/ICAM project, January 2003 Genentech award in recognition of collaboration on LFA1/ICAM project, June 2002 Outstanding Demo Chemist, ThermoFinnigan, 1997 and 1998 Panel Member, National Environmental Technology Application Center, 1992 and 1993 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 7/2005- Present Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA Associate Director Bioanalytical Chemistry: Manage all bioanalytical work in the department involving HPLC and mass spectrometry. Serve as Study Director/Principal Investigator/Contributing Scientist for GLP activities taking place in-house or at CROs. Serve as a resource for mass spectrometry questions and new technologies development including the use of PCA software and other computational tools to expedite metabolism and biomarker identification. Lead my team to support metabolite identification studies for various projects. Increased lab throughput by 300%. 2000- 7/2005 Genentech, Inc- South San Francisco, CA Scientist/Group leader: Lead the LC/MS Bio-Analytical Research and Development (BARD) Lab for analysis of large (antibodies) and small molecule analysis. Responsible for in house pre-clinical development and transfer of assays for GLP analysis to CROs. This includes developing new LC/MS methods for analysis of biological matrices on triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. Responsible for new technology development. Responsible for CRO identification, method transfer, and oversight for GLP assays in support of preclinical and clinical studies that involve LC/MS methods. This includes collaboration with legal and procurement departments to set up and implement confidentiality agreements and contracts with CROs. Served, as a technical guru for mass spectrometry and separation technologies, within the biotech industry. 1998-12/2000 Chiron Corporation- Emeryville, CA Scientist II: Managed Bio-analytical Lab and in-house pre-clinical analyses. Developed new LCMS methods for analysis of biological matrices on triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. Set up the Bio-analytical Lab (purchased instruments, upgraded the existing equipment, developed new methods, and trained the personnel to use the new setting effectively and efficiently). Supervised PhD and non-PhD colleagues. 1996-1998 ThermoFinnigan - San Jose, CA Senior Application Specialist: Responsible for pre and post sale support for external customers. This included problem solving for customer applications, presenting LC/MS/MS products including the LCQ, conducting customer training, and developing new analytical methods using our ESI and APCI sources. Laboratory management (extensive personnel recruiting and training). Supervised 2 PhD colleagues. Publication and presentation of scientific papers. Taught advanced and specialized courses including protein peptide sequencing, macromolecule characterization, and small molecule quantitation using mass spectrometry 1995-1996 UCLA Olympic Laboratory- Los Angles, CA Dept. Pharm. UCLA School of Medicine Staff Research Associate IV Senior scientist: Responsible for the High Resolution Mass Spectrometry steroid testing during the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996). Research of drug/steroid testing using GC/HRMS and LC/MS/MS methodology development. Enhanced the recovery of anabolic steroids significantly and improved levels of detection. Designed modifications to the SOP for the Atlanta Olympic games 1991-1994 U.S. EPA & University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH Environmental Research in Petroleum Environmental Senior Research Associate: Maintained and upgraded all instruments. Trained/supervised technicians, designed experiments, reviewed proposals, conducted basic research, wrote papers and presented papers at scientific meetings. Developed a new methodology for quantitative profiling of petroleum hydrocarbons (as a result grant approvals increased from $250K to $1.5 million); this method is now being used by both the EPA and the Coast Guard for evaluation of oil spills and bioremediation agents. Reorganized and reestablished the laboratory; trained technicians and generated an effective QA/QC program (annual audit rating went from unsatisfactory to superior within the first year) 1990 - 1991 University of California, Berkeley, CA Postdoctoral Fellow: Responsible for the lab safety for our group (40 hour OSHA training Class, and First Aid training). Taught General and Organic Chemistry. Helped graduate students with their research projects. Worked with air-sensitive chemistry techniques including schlenk line and glove box methods. Experienced in X-ray crystallography, NMR,EPR, IR, FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Involved in multi-step organic and inorganic synthesis Designed a new synthetic approach to reactive intermediates involved in nitrogenase enzyme chemistry, resulting in successful grant renewal and publication of five papers on that topic OTHER INTERESTS Member, Impala Racing Team (internationally-known, elite, racing team sponsored by Nike) Completed 3 IronMan Triathlons (5th overall female, 1st place in age group, qualified and completed Hawaii IronMan) Advanced Certified Scuba Diver Captain of Hood-to-Coast Relay Team (5th overall) Member, 3-day California EcoChallenge Northern California Ultra Running Grand Prix (15 races, 2nd overall female 1996) Completed 21 marathons (Qualified for Boston 7 times) Qualified for Race Across America (cycling) Avid: runner, cyclist, swimmer, skier, scuba diver References, patents, and publications list available on request.