Bianca P Lavayen
Boston,MA
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Research Associate
Myeloid Therapeutics
09.2023 - Current
- Collaborate in group meetings to discuss and design study protocols, contributing to development and optimization of CRISPR-Enabled Autonomous Transposable Element (CREATE) system
- Develop and optimize cloning protocols for new constructs, ensuring proper integration and functionality for downstream experiments
- Perform in vitro transcription (IVT) to synthesize RNA for cell transfections, ensuring high-quality mRNA production for downstream applications, particularly for transfections
- Perform transfection in primary T-cells with CREATE mRNA using lipofectamine or electroporation.
- Conduct flow cytometry to measure GFP expression as readout for mRNA integration and cellular uptake
- Execute qPCR assays to quantify gene expression levels and validate results, optimizing protocols for accuracy and efficiency
- Record, analyze and interpret experimental data to present research findings in team meetings, effectively communicating experimental results, challenges and next steps forward
- Adhere to project deadlines and research expectations, ensuring timely completion of experiments
- Coauthored manuscript detailing research findings on CREATE system currently under review at EMBO reports
Research Associate, Screening
Intellia Therapeutics
10.2022 - 07.2023
- Support high-throughput screening efforts by executing in vitro workflows (transfection, DNA/protein isolation, qPCR, Next-Generation Sequencing) of gRNA candidates for CRISPR-Cas9 therapies in T-cells and primary human hepatocytes via LNP delivery
- Compile, analyze and prepare data packages for gRNA studies
- Support team in optimizing, troubleshooting and writing protocols relevant to screening workflow
- Increased overall productivity by helping automate screening workflow
- Document experiments accurately and consistently on Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) ahead of deadlines
Graduate Assistant
McKnight Brain Institute
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Led pilot study in collaboration with pharmaceutical company investigating neuroprotective role by VCE-004.8 in ischemic stroke models that led to publication
- Designed and executed behavioral assessments in mouse models (using ANY-maze) and routine dosing via IP route observing therapeutic effects of drug after experimental stroke.
- Collect blood and tissue for molecular assays (TTC staining, qPCR, Western Blot, ELISA) to measure IgG, RNA and protein expression of key players involved neuroinflammation after stroke to understand mechanism of action by VCE
- Participated in poster presentation for NCF SfN 11th Annual Conference 2021
- Mentored undergraduate student in research collaborations, technical skills, experimental design, data collection/analysis. Student won first place in poster presentation at NCF SfN 11 Anual Conference 2021 and co-authoring my first author publication.
Research Technician
McKnight Brain Institute
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Utilized organization, multi-tasking and time management skills to handle varying research projects simultaneously investigating small molecules in mouse models of stroke and execute appropriate assays (Tissue sectioning, Immunohistochemistry, genotyping mouse colonies for transgenic and KO mice, etc.) as well as collect and analyze data
- Designed and executed behavioral and molecular experiments investigating synthetic adropin for treatment of blood-brain barrier damage after ischemic stroke in mouse models which led to co-authoring 3 publications
- Collaborated in executing experiments and gathering significant data for investigations with PROTAC dBET1 suspected to play role in reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative in blood-brain barrier which led to co-authoring 1 publication
- Assisted PI and scientist with research proposals, literature review, grant writing and proof-reading documents to minimize delays in publications and maximize lab efficiency
Microbiology Research Internship
Microbiology And Cell Science
05.2018 - 01.2019
- Developed wet-lab and mammalian cell culture experience investigating host-pathogen interaction with Salmonella enterica and Yersinia enterocolitica infections in humans.
- Support graduate student in cell infections with Yersinia in THP-1 human macrophages to investigate role of YopJ in innate immune response following bacterial infections through a MAPK signalling pathway
- Assisted graduate student in ongoing research projects to gain knowledge and understanding of data collection and analysis, literature review and writing grant proposals
Education
Master of Science - Neuroscience
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL08.2019
Skills
- Molecular biology
- Genetic engineering techniques using CRISPR-Cas9
- Neurodegeneration
- Critical thinking
- Cell culture techniques
- Immunological assays
- Strong work ethic
- Organization and time management
Publications
Lavayen, B. P., Yang, C., Larochelle, J., Liu, L., Tishko, R. J., de Oliveira, A. C., Muñoz, E., & Candelario-Jalil, E. (2023). Neuroprotection by the Cannabidiol aminoquinone VCE-004.8 in experimental ischemic stroke in mice. Neurochemistry International, 165, 105508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105508
Yang, C., Liu, L., Lavayen, B. P., Larochelle, J., Gunraj, R. E., Butler, A. A., & Candelario-Jalil, E. (2023). Therapeutic benefits of Adropin in aged mice after transient ischemic stroke via reduction of blood-brain barrier damage. Stroke, 54(1), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.122.039628
Liu, L., Yang, C., Lavayen, B., Tishko, R., Larochelle, J., & Candelario-Jalil, E. (2022). Targeted BRD4 protein degradation by dBET1 ameliorates acute ischemic brain injury and improves functional outcomes associated with reduced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and preservation of blood–brain barrier integrity. Journal Of Neuroinflammation, 19(1). doi: 10.1186/s12974-022-02533-8
Yang, C., Lavayen, B., Liu, L., Sanz, B., DeMars, K., & Larochelle, J. et al. (2021). Neurovascular protection by adropin in experimental ischemic stroke through an endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism. Redox Biology, 48, 102197. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102197
Yang, C., Lavayen, B. P., Liu, L., Sanz, B. D., DeMars, K. M., Larochelle, J., Pompilus, M., Febo, M., Sun, Y.-Y., Kuo, Y.-M., Mohamadzadeh, M., Farr, S. A., Kuan, C.-Y., Butler, A. A., & Candelario-Jalil, E. (2021). Adropin confers neuroprotection and promotes functional recovery from ischemic stroke. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.09.16.460662
Timeline
Senior Research Associate
Myeloid Therapeutics
09.2023 - Current
Research Associate, Screening
Intellia Therapeutics
10.2022 - 07.2023
Graduate Assistant
McKnight Brain Institute
01.2021 - 08.2022
Research Technician
McKnight Brain Institute
01.2019 - 01.2021
Microbiology Research Internship
Microbiology And Cell Science
05.2018 - 01.2019
Master of Science - Neuroscience
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Florida
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