Above: Combining creativity with microbiology to create living works of art; Peroxide indicates the presence of catalase, an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. It's found in most aerobic organisms, including humans.

Science & Research

Overview

My background in scientific research bridges curiosity with impact, grounded in a passion for discovery and problem-solving. With experience spanning drug discovery, cancer biology, assay development, and next-generation sequencing, I have contributed to groundbreaking studies published in Science and Nature. My research work has been driven by a desire to explore complex biological systems, scale up experimental possibilities through automation, and communicate nuanced ideas in ways that resonate across disciplines.

Science and research aren’t just about the data—they’re about connections. Whether working in tissue culture, developing DNA-sequencing pipelines, or analyzing high-throughput screening results, my focus has always been on understanding systems holistically and sharing discoveries in accessible ways.

Previous Work

My research career has centered on uncovering new insights in cancer biology and drug discovery through innovative techniques and scalable methodologies. I have worked in labs at The College of William and Mary, the NIH (NIAAA,NCI), and The Broad Institute (Aviv Regev,PRISM).
Highlights include:

  • Drug Discovery and Screening: I worked with multiplexed compound screens on hundreds of cell lines simultaneously, leveraging next-generation sequencing with Illumina technology to identify novel therapeutic targets.

  • Assay Development and Automation: Developed custom pipelines using robotic liquid handling systems, allowing for vastly scaled-up throughput in tissue culture experiments and other wet-lab techniques.

  • Data-Driven Insights: My work required analyzing complex datasets, interpreting results to inform future experiments, and presenting findings effectively to diverse audiences.

This experience has shaped my ability to think critically, work collaboratively, and communicate intricate ideas to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Research

  • Science (2022): Massively parallel pooled screening reveals genomic determinants of nanoparticle delivery. [Read More]

  • Nature (2020): A metastasis map of human cancer cell lines. [Read More]

  • Nature Chemical Biology (2022): Systematic identification of biomarker-driven drug combinations to overcome resistance. [Read More]

  • PLOS ONE (2018): SUMO targeting of a stress-tolerant Ulp1 SUMO protease. [Read More]

  • Scientific Data-Nature (2018): High-content screening for small-molecule LC3B-localization modulators.

  • Preprint (2020): Modulating intra-nuclear LC3 with small molecules rescues cells from a Docetaxel-induced phenotype. [Read More]

The Intersection of Science & Creativity

Science and creativity aren’t opposites—they’re inseparable. Both demand curiosity, precision, and the ability to navigate the unknown. My experience in scientific research isn’t just a credential—it’s a way of thinking that shapes everything I create. Whether designing, writing, or problem-solving, I approach every project with the same mindset: ask better questions, test the limits, and find meaning in the details.

Science isn’t just something I’ve studied—it’s part of the lens through which I see the world. It sharpens my creativity, informs my perspective, and allows me to communicate complex ideas in ways that resonate. From the structure of a compelling story to the design of a system that just works, my scientific background doesn’t sit in a separate box—it’s embedded in everything I do.

The future of my work is about more than blending disciplines—it’s about proving that the divide between them never really existed in the first place.