Agbor Otu Egbe Vydaline
Great Mills,MD
Summary
PhD Scientist with 5+ years of hands-on experience immunology, molecular biology and analytical techniques, nucleic acid synthesis, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and scientific writing. Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing biochemical and cell-based assays, characterizing protein-ligand interactions, and advancing novel therapeutic platforms, including DNA aptamers targeting GPCRs. Strong record of cross-functional collaboration.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PhD Biochemist
Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, USA
08.2020 - 03.2026
- Designed and executed high-throughput screening assays using fluorescence-based readouts to identify potential therapeutic DNA aptamers (agonists and antagonists) against the beta-2 adrenergic receptor.
- Cultured mammalian cells, including Jurkat, HEK293, and HeLa cells, using prepared media to ensure optimal growth and receptor expression in each cell line.
- Executed cell-SELEX/Ligand-guided selection procedures to discover DNA aptamers interacting with the beta-2 adrenergic receptors expressed on mammalian cells.
- Applied solid-phase phosphoramidite Chemistry to synthesize DNA molecules and conducted intricate procedures like deprotection and detritylation.
- Performed HPLC, GC, wet chemistry, titrations, and reverse-phase HPLC to characterize and purify molecules for functional and structural analysis.
- Quantified protein and DNA molecules using UV-Vis spectroscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques to obtain concentrations needed for cell-based assays.
- Executed high-throughput screening through immunophenotyping techniques to sort cells based on expression levels.
- Utilized advanced methodologies such as PCR, qPCR, and NGS for precise data generation.
- Studied the process of receptor-mediated internalization with antibody or aptamer treatment to understand the functional effect of these entities on the receptor.
- Analyzed cell-based staining assays with Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy to detect binding and internalization.
- Studied the release of second messengers like cAMP using ELISA, fluorometric, and luminescence techniques to understand the functional effect of aptamers against the beta-2 adrenergic receptor.
- Extracted and quantified proteins from mammalian cells using the BCA assay and performed SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.
- Managed team efforts through group meetings and constant communication for the timely completion of project tasks.
- Successfully authored scientific publications, prepared, reviewed, and edited lab reports and grant applications. Presented findings in conferences and research seminars.
Analytical Development Scientist (Intern)
SCYNEXIS Inc.
Jersey City, NJ
01.2025 - 08.2025
- Executed analytical method development and validation in compliance with regulatory standards to support drug development.
- Operated and maintained lab equipment per SOPs; ensured data integrity through accurate documentation and reporting.
- Collaborated with quality and project teams to troubleshoot deviations and improve workflows.
Adjunct Lecturer
CUNY School of Medicine/Lehman College
New York, USA
08.2021 - 06.2025
- Supervised group discussions among students to promote critical thinking skills.
- Maintained an accurate record of attendance and grades for each student in classes taught.
- Promoted a classroom environment of respect, openness, collaboration, and engagement to foster an enabling environment.
- Provided Lectures to classes of up to 20 students on laboratory organic chemistry, carrying out experiments on chromatography, making Aspirin, fermentation, and comparing functional groups of sugars, proteins, and lipids to enhance their laboratory skills.
- Provided students with a relevant and accurate curriculum weekly through the Utilization of diverse teaching methods, lectures, and presentations to ensure students are up-to-date on appropriate material.
- Documented students’ grades by weekly inputting their assignments, attendance, and test scores in online reporting systems for the timely delivery of their grades.
Research Assistant
Rega Institute for Medical Research
Leuven, Belgium
09.2018 - 09.2019
- Maintained comprehensive records reflecting experiment progress and results through record-keeping and presentations for proper monitoring of the progress of the project.
- Designed CRISPR gRNA and templates for transforming E. coli cells.
- Engineered E. coli through precise transformation to express the gRNA successfully.
- Applied CRISPR-Cas9 construct in transfecting HEK293T cells, accompanied by viral infection, to stably knock-in resistance mutations in the genome of HSV-1.
- Conducted BigDye reactions and performed Sanger sequencing on viral clones to identify sequences with knocked-in drug-resistance mutations.
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry
CUNY Graduate Center
New York, NY01-2026
M.Phil. - Biochemistry
CUNY Graduate Center
New York, NY01-2023
M.Sc. - Molecular Biology
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Belgium01-2019
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Medical Laboratory Technology
University of Bamenda
Cameroon01-2016
Skills
- Soft Skills: Leadership, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, time management, attention to detail, adaptability, and resilience
- Technical Skills: Western blotting/analysis, DNA synthesis, advanced cell culture techniques, aptamer selection, next-generation sequencing, cell-based assays, ELISA, molecular cloning, gene expression profiling, CRISPR-Cas technique, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, affinity and size-exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis/Analysis, real-time PCR amplification, and confocal microscopy
- Bioinformatics: FASTAptamer toolkit analysis, GALAXY analysis, AlphaFold, UNAfold, and ClustalX
- Data Analyses: ImageJ, GraphPad Prism, and FlowJo analysis
- Others: Proficient in using Microsoft Office suites (ie, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) Self-motivated, organized, open-minded, and full of positive energy
- Languages: Native English
Accomplishments
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, delivering each one on time and within budgetary parameters.
Certification
- Licensed [Job Title] - [Timeframe]
PUBLICATIONS
- Egbe Vydaline, Agbor Otu, Sergei Rozhkov, German Sosa, and Prabodhika Mallikaratchy. “Aptamers as Target-Specific Recognition Elements in Drug Delivery.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 226 (November 2025): 115685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2025.115685.
- Egbe Vydaline, Agbor Otu, Mitali Bhate, Divyani Sitaldin, Yilam Ng Cen, Sergei Rozhkov, German Sosa, Amedee des Georges, Prabodhika Mallikaratchy. Precision Aptamer Discovery against a native GPCR through Ligand-Guided Selection. In preparation 2026.
- Egbe Vydaline, Agbor Otu, Nicole B. Williams, Yilam Ng Cen, and Prabodhika Mallikaratchy. Novel GALAXY Workflow to Identify DNA Aptamers Generated from Multi-Target Ligand-guided Selection High-throughput Sequencing Data. In preparation 2026.
SELECTED CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/MEMBERSHIP/AWARDS
- Speaker at Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Nucleoside, nucleotide, and oligonucleotide-[2025]
- Best presenter Biochemistry seminar-[2025]
- GRC on Molecular pharmacology of GPCRs- [2025]
- Speaker at NanoBioNYC annual Symposium- [2024]
- IS-CUNY Science Scholar Fellowship- [2023-2025]
- IS-Chemistry Tithe Fellowship- [2022-2025]
- GRC on Systems Chemistry- [2024]
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Analytical Development Scientist (Intern)
SCYNEXIS Inc.
01.2025 - 08.2025
Adjunct Lecturer
CUNY School of Medicine/Lehman College
08.2021 - 06.2025
PhD Biochemist
Graduate Center, CUNY
08.2020 - 03.2026
Research Assistant
Rega Institute for Medical Research
09.2018 - 09.2019
M.Phil. - Biochemistry
CUNY Graduate Center
M.Sc. - Molecular Biology
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Medical Laboratory Technology
University of Bamenda
Ph.D. - Biochemistry
CUNY Graduate Center