Anja Bubeck-Barrett, Ph.D.
Encinitas,CA
Summary
Experienced molecular biologist with nearly two decades of project management in assay research and technology development for diagnostics. Skilled in in vitro diagnostics, molecular biology, and microbiology, with a focus on identifying targets for pathogen detection. Demonstrated success in overseeing product development and driving innovation in clinical and food sectors. Track record of launching innovative technologies into new markets.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
VP of Research and Technology
Prominex Inc.
San Diego, USA
05.2022 - Current
- Crucial in obtaining 2 grants amounting to $1.7 million via RADx Tech 3 program and fulfilling role as Principal Investigator and Key Coordinator for both grants
- Ensured successful execution of initial grant milestones while strategizing additional work for EUA and 510K submission.
- Direct future goals and increased application of proprietary technology.
- On track to successfully finalize Phase I of grants and transition into Phase II for assay clinical studies and 510K submission
Senior Director, Head of Research and Technology
Prominex Inc.
San Diego, USA
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Progressed to new strategic role focused on identifying new markets in collaboration with Business Development and exploring alternative applications for proprietary technology
- Revamped Prominex’s proprietary amplification technology to integrate molecular amplification with lateral flow detection, culminating in dCliP technology.
- Executed feasibility data package supporting strategic decision processes for company, assuming role of technical lead in conversations with new investors and prospective strategic allies.
- Enables access to point-of-care (POC) and OTC testing markets
- Integral in preparing pre-development assays for manufacturing and development with internal teams and external contractors.
- Managed grant applications for RADx and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Senior Director, Systems and Platform
Prominex Inc.
San Diego, USA
05.2020 - 09.2021
- Managed Prominex’s bioinformatics core technology operations
- Collaborated with consultant to create proprietary software application streamlining oligo design and target region identification for future CHASE amplification assays.
- Spearheaded feasibility phase of SARS-CoV-2 assay, managing target region identification, assay design, and feasibility milestones.
- Led collaboration with platform developers to enhance project outcomes.
- Directed DFM efforts to optimize cartridge production processes.
Director Program Management
Prominex Inc.
San Diego, USA
07.2018 - 05.2020
- Directed all facets of engagement with contract manufacturers, including array printing, recombinant enzyme cloning, and purification
- Played a crucial role in all phases of developing prototype unit for Prominex platform into functional and fully integrated Alpha 1 Prototype Unit.
- Directed efforts resulting in successful completion of Series B1 and B2 funding
Director Research
Prominex Inc.
San Diego, USA
01.2018 - 07.2018
- Directed scientific team of newly established company aiming to advance molecular diagnostics accessibility for patients
- Directed laboratory establishment, staffing of R&D team, and partnership with external platform developers.
- Acted as scientific liaison for executive management and investors.
- Directed scientific diligence for successful proof of concept studies securing series A funding.
Principal Scientist, New Technologies
Roka Bioscience Inc.
San Diego, USA
12.2015 - 08.2017
- Directed team of 2 scientists and 4 research associates to innovate new amplification method for molecular detection
- Directed concept feasibility completion, establishing foundation for Prominex, Inc.
- Established foundation for various patent applications.
- Coordinated partnership with platform developer (mBio) to drive execution and attainment of milestones for technical teams in both organizations
- Facilitated communication between technical team, executive team, and business development, supplying concise summaries and background information with oversight of project databases.
Scientist III, Assay Lead
Roka Bioscience Inc.
San Diego, USA
01.2014 - 11.2015
- Directed team as lead investigator to explore innovative strategies for food pathogen detection.
- Formulated two innovative concepts for food pathogen detection and validated biological feasibility.
- Established academic and industrial partnerships to enhance program outcomes and commenced collaborations
- Assessed both concepts through board review and secured funding for additional development activities.
- Coordinated R&D initiatives with Business Development to explore new approaches for pathogen detection platforms.
- Managed matrix extension and V&V investigations, confirming 14 supplementary matrices for Atlas Salmonella G2 detection assay.
- Submitted report for AOAC approval in September 2014.
- Facilitated collaboration with Texas Tech University to identify new molecular targets for Salmonella serotyping
- Evaluated and meticulously reviewed patent application to ensure protection of intellectual property discovered during collaboration.
Scientist II, Assay Lead
Roka Bioscience Inc.
San Diego, USA
02.2010 - 12.2013
- Spearheaded Atlas Salmonella G2 detection assay, overseeing all scientific facets of assay development.
- Authored AOAC validation reports and submission documents to ensure compliance.
- Secured AOAC certification for assay in April 2013.
- Acted as R&D liaison for business development to assess alternative platforms for innovative detection methods.
- Formulated studies and supervised execution of platform assessment carried out by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics.
- Directed outside partnership for all bacterial fungal assay (ABF) in conjunction with Millipore.
- Directed team to accomplish contractual milestones
Scientist II
Gen-Probe Inc.
San Diego, USA
10.2009 - 01.2010
- Led Companion Diagnostics and New Technologies Team focused on Lifecodes SSO HLA typing kits.
- Managed cross-functional collaborations with external laboratories to enhance project outcomes.
- Coordinated efforts between teams to streamline processes related to HLA typing kits.
Scientist II
Gen-Probe Inc.
San Diego, USA
04.2007 - 10.2009
- Managed a team of four direct reports as lead investigator.
- Conducted research to enhance multiplexability of RTMA reactions.
- Developed high-throughput screening method for rapid assessment of oligonucleotides in transcription-mediated amplification.
- Developed SYBR green-based screening method for evaluating transcription-mediated amplification quality.
- Executed design and implementation of reverse TMA multiplex assay for real-time MRSA detection in nasal swabs.
- Conducted research on diagnostic tools for hospital and community-acquired MRSA, advancing early-stage development.
- Partnered with 3M to analyze feasibility of integrating assay within disc-based platform
Research Scientist I
Gen-Probe Inc.
San Diego, USA
08.2005 - 04.2007
- Pioneered innovations in alternative nucleic acid amplification techniques and real-time detection via reverse TMA.
- Implemented pseudo-targets and primer modifications to enhance dynamic range of TMA amplification for quantitative HIV and HCV assays.
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Scripps Research Institute
La Jolla, USA
01.2004 - 08.2005
- Investigated silencing mechanisms of newly identified proteins within inner nuclear membrane utilizing RNAi
Postdoctoral Fellow
Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilian University
Munich, Germany
03.2002 - 12.2003
- Conducted research on transposon-based mutagenesis of essential herpesvirus genes to identify potential drug and vaccine targets.
- Supervised three research associates and graduate students to ensure project objectives were met.
- Analyzed data to assess mutagenesis effects on herpesvirus gene function and viability.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance understanding of virus-host interactions.
- Presented findings at conferences, contributing to knowledge on herpesvirus treatment strategies.
- Developed experimental protocols to streamline mutagenesis studies and improve reproducibility.
Graduate Student Research Assistant
Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilian University
Munich, Germany
03.1998 - 03.2002
- Investigated ER-associated degradation of viral glycoprotein linked to immune evasion mechanisms in herpesviruses
Education
Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat.) - Genetics
Eberhard-Karls University
Tübingen, Germany03.2002
M.Sc. (diploma) - Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Developmental Biology
Eberhard-Karls University
Tübingen, Germany02.1998
Undergraduate studies - Microbiology, Genetics, Developmental biology, and Biochemistry
Eberhard-Karls University
Tübingen, Germany06.1997
Skills
- Molecular Biology (PCR, rtPCR, TMA, rTMA and proprietary amplification technology)
- Focus on RNA amplification techniques
- Instrument specific software development
- Grant writing
- Regulatory compliance
- Molecular diagnostics
- Bioinformatics
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
- Product development
- Analytical and critical thinker
Additional Skills
- Marketing, courses for basic marketing concepts., Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany, Winter 2001/2002
- Public relations, courses for PR-principles and writing., Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany, Winter 2001/2002
- Gen-Probe Incorporated, Kepner Tregoe Problem solving and decision making; 11/01/09, Gen-Probe Incorporated, Crucial Confrontations, 2007
- Gen-Probe Incorporated, AED certified; 10/01/09
- Roka Bioscience, Management training with SkillPath, 2012
- Roka Bioscience, Project Management training with SkillPath, 2013
- Roka Bioscience, Project Management online preparation for PMP certification, 2017
Selected Publications
- I.H. Chen; M. Huber; T. Guan; A. Bubeck and L. Gerace, Nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins (NETs) that are up-regulated during myogenesis., BMC Cell Biology, 7, 38, 2006
- M. Schnee; Z. Ruzsics; A. Bubeck and U.H. Koszinowski, Common and specific properties of herpesviral UL34/UL31 protein family members revealed by protein complementation assay., Journal of Virology, 80, 11658-11666, 2006
- A. Bubeck; M. Wagner; Z. Ruzsics; M. Lotzerich, M. Iglesias, I.R. Singh and U.H. Koszinowski, Comprehensive mutational analysis of the essential herpesvirus gene M50/p35 in the viral genome context., Journal of Virology, 78, 8026-8035, 2004
- R. Mocikat, H. Braumuller, A. Gumy, O. Egeter, H. Ziegler, U. Reusch, A. Bubeck, J. Louis, R. Mailhammer, G. Riethmuller, U. H. Koszinowski and M. Rocken, Natural killer cells activated by MHC class I (low) targets prime dendritic cells to induce protective CD8 T cell responses., Immunity, 19, 561-569, 2003
- A. Gutermann; A. Bubeck; M. Wagner; U. Reusch; C. Menard and U.H. Koszinowski, Strategies for the identification and analysis of viral immune evasion genes-Cytomegalovirus as an example., Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 269, 1-22, 2002
- A. Bubeck; U. Reusch; M. Wagner; T. Ruppert; W. Muranyi; P.M. Kloetzel and U.H. Koszinowski, The glycoprotein gp48 of murine Cytomegalovirus: proteasome-dependent cytosolic dislocation and degradation., The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277, 2216-2224, 2002
- R.J. Sommer; A. Eizinger; K.Z. Lee; B. Jungblut; A. Bubeck and I. Schlak, The Pristionchus HOX gene Pp-lin-39 inhibits programmed cell death to specify the vulva equivalence group and is not required during vulva induction., Development, 125, 3865-3873, 1998
Patents
M. M. Becker; B. Groschel; A. Bubeck-Barrett, Compositions and methods for detecting and discriminating between yeast and mold., US20150086982 A1, 2015
Honors And Funding
- Postdoctoral fellowship from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 01/01/05 - 08/01/05
- Speakers grant from the American Society of Cell Biology to attend and speak at the 44th annual meeting, Washington, USA, 12/01/04
- Travel grant to attend the GRC conference Virus and Cells, Il Ciocco, Italy, 05/01/03
- Travel grant to attend the 27th International Herpesvirus Workshop, Cairns Australia, 07/01/02
- Travel grant to attend the International C.elegans workshop, Madison, USA, 05/01/97
- Research pre-doctoral fellowship from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft during diploma work, 02/01/97 - 02/01/98
Qualifications And Degrees
- Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat.), Genetics, Mechanism of the ER-associated degradation of the glycoprotein gp48 of murine cytomegalovirus, magna cum laude – Viva: magna cum laude, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany, 03/01/02
- M.Sc. (diploma), Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany, 02/01/98
- Undergraduate studies, Microbiology, Genetics, Developmental biology, and Biochemistry, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany, 06/01/97
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
German
Native/ Bilingual
French
Professional
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
VP of Research and Technology
Prominex Inc.
05.2022 - Current
Senior Director, Head of Research and Technology
Prominex Inc.
09.2021 - 05.2022
Senior Director, Systems and Platform
Prominex Inc.
05.2020 - 09.2021
Director Program Management
Prominex Inc.
07.2018 - 05.2020
Director Research
Prominex Inc.
01.2018 - 07.2018
Principal Scientist, New Technologies
Roka Bioscience Inc.
12.2015 - 08.2017
Scientist III, Assay Lead
Roka Bioscience Inc.
01.2014 - 11.2015
Scientist II, Assay Lead
Roka Bioscience Inc.
02.2010 - 12.2013
Scientist II
Gen-Probe Inc.
10.2009 - 01.2010
Scientist II
Gen-Probe Inc.
04.2007 - 10.2009
Research Scientist I
Gen-Probe Inc.
08.2005 - 04.2007
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Scripps Research Institute
01.2004 - 08.2005
Postdoctoral Fellow
Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilian University
03.2002 - 12.2003
Graduate Student Research Assistant
Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilian University
03.1998 - 03.2002
Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat.) - Genetics
Eberhard-Karls University
M.Sc. (diploma) - Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Developmental Biology
Eberhard-Karls University
Undergraduate studies - Microbiology, Genetics, Developmental biology, and Biochemistry
Eberhard-Karls University
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