Protein Engineering and DNA Repair Expert Specializing in Directed Enzyme Evolution

Expertise

• Random mutant library generation.
• Protein engineering.
• Mutagenicity assays, (Ames' test).
• ColE1-based plasmid regulation.
• DNA repair, specifically repair of reactive DNA methylation.
• Drug resistance: targets, evolution.
• Microbial genetics.
• Molecular pharmacology.
• Molecular toxicology.

Experience

Undisclosed University, Assistant Professor, 2007 - Present

• Head of a research team including a senior scientist, technician, graduate student and several undergraduate assistants.
• Obtained extramural funding from NIH and private foundations.
• Ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations in areas of computational biology, chemistry and structural biology.
• Partnership with industry (Environmental Biodetection Products Inc.) for bringing new mutagenesis detection technology into the market.
• Teaching in areas of molecular toxicology and pathogenesis.

University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2001 - 2007

• Acting Instructor: Applied directed evolution methods for customization of DNA methylation repair.
• Postdoctoral Fellow: Developed a proprietary system for directed protein evolution.

Stanford University School of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford, CA, 1994 - 2001

• Graduate Research Assistant

University of Barcelona, Department Biochemistry/Autonomous, Bellaterra, Spain, 1991 - 1994

• Masters Research Assistant/Mentor
• Undergraduate Research Assistant/Mentor

Teaching Experience

• Classes: Biology of Disease, Interdisciplinary approaches in microbiology and environmental toxicology.

Honors & Publications

Honors and Awards

• CONCERN Foundation Award for cancer research: Title, "Customizing DNA Repair to Reduce the Side Effects of Temozolomide."
• National Cancer Institute K08 award (top priority score of 117): Title, "Creation of AlkB Mutants for Bone Marrow Protection."
• Environmental Pathology/Toxicology Training Grant (T32 NIEHS National Research Service Award Program).
• Stanford Dean of Research Incentive Fund Award.
• "la Caixa" Fellowship, participant of the Fullbright program in Spain.
• Top Student of Graduating Class of Veterinary School of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.

Synergistic Activities

• Memberships: Environmental Mutagen Society, Society of Toxicology
• Editorial board: Theoretical Biology Insights
• Referee: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, Journal of Molecular Evolution

Credentials

• Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Publications

• Numerous invited talks, selected meeting presentations and articles published.
• Two U.S. Patents.

Education

• Ph.D. Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
• M.S. Biochemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain