Elizabeth Ferrer
New York
Summary
Scientist with a Master of Science in Pharmacology & Molecular Sciences and experience developing, optimizing, executing, and validating molecular and cell-based assays in both biotechnology and academic research environments. Expertise includes mammalian cell culture, assay development, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, microscopy, molecular biology, and experimental design. Proven ability to independently execute experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret complex datasets, and communicate scientific findings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Technician B
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New York, NY
07.2025 - Current
- Lead an independent immunology research project characterizing APRIL-Dre and Ly6C knockout mouse models using multi-parameter flow cytometry and reporter-based analysis.
- Design, optimize, and execute flow cytometry experiments to characterize immune cell populations across multiple tissues, including panel design, antibody titration, staining optimization, and data analysis.
- Perform routine genotyping using PCR and gel electrophoresis for transgenic mouse colony maintenance and experimental enrollment.
- Generate and analyze bone marrow chimera experiments using irradiated recipient mice and mixed donor bone marrow populations, applying flow cytometry to evaluate donor-derived immune cell engraftment and troubleshoot unexpected tdTomato reporter expression patterns.
- Process mouse tissues and prepare samples for downstream immunological analyses.
- Collaborate with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows on experimental design, troubleshooting, and interpretation of results.
- Present findings and contribute to scientific discussions during laboratory meetings.
- Laboratory of Dr. David Fooksman
Research & Development Research Associate
Accelevir Diagnostics
Baltimore, MD
08.2023 - 05.2025
- Developed, optimized, executed, and validated molecular and cell-based workflows supporting the Intact Proviral DNA Assay (IPDA) and IPDA v2 HIV reservoir assays.
- Executed assay validation studies to evaluate sensitivity, recovery efficiency, linearity, DNA stability, and reproducibility across experimental conditions.
- Developed cellular reference materials using J-Lat cell cultures and HIV-negative leukopak-derived DNA to support assay optimization and determination of assay detection limits.
- Optimized experimental workflows through troubleshooting of sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, and downstream molecular biology procedures.
- Maintained and expanded J-Lat cell cultures under aseptic conditions, including passaging, viability assessment, cryopreservation, recovery, and preparation of assay controls.
- Independently processed leukopak samples and performed molecular biology workflows including DNA extraction, RNA extraction, ddPCR, dPCR, nested PCR, sequencing library preparation, and quality control analysis.
- Performed flow cytometric analysis of PBMC and CD4-positive cell populations.
- Analyzed experimental data, interpreted results, and presented findings during laboratory meetings to support assay development and validation efforts.
- Coordinated with vendors regarding instrument maintenance, repair, and laboratory operations.
Graduate Student Researcher
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
08.2022 - 07.2023
- Completed Master's thesis titled “Investigations of How Cancer Cells Respond to Stress.”
- Investigated cytoskeletal remodeling in chemotherapy-induced polyaneuploid cancer cells (PACCs) using breast and prostate cancer cell models.
- Maintained mammalian cancer cell cultures continuously over extended experimental conditions, including passaging, media changes, treatment administration, and quality monitoring under aseptic conditions.
- Designed and executed chemotherapy-response experiments using docetaxel and cisplatin to evaluate cellular adaptation and stress responses.
- Independently selected antibodies, performed immunofluorescence staining, acquired microscopy images, and conducted image analysis to assess microtubule organization and nuclear cortex formation.
- Performed RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and RT-qPCR-based validation of candidate genes identified through gene expression screening approaches.
- Analyzed experimental results and contributed to study design, data interpretation, and scientific communication through presentations and thesis preparation.
- Laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Pienta and Dr. Sarah Amend
Research Rotations
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Performed western blotting, lipid droplet staining, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), recombinant protein engineering, transfection, cell viability assays, mammalian cell culture, and aseptic techniques.
- Contributed to experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting across multiple research projects.
- Laboratories of:
- Dr. Robert F. Siliciano
- Dr. Douglas Robinson
- Dr. Heng Zhu
- Dr. Kenneth Pienta
- Dr. Sarah Amend
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Recipient
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Bethesda, MD
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Conducted research project titled “Lateral Distribution of Diacylglycerol (DG) within the Cytosolic Leaflet of Organelle Membranes.”
- Performed molecular cloning, DNA isolation, DNA purification, transfection, mammalian cell culture, and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays.
- Contributed to experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Laboratory of Dr. Tamás Balla
Undergraduate Student Researcher
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, FL
11.2016 - 04.2020
- Conducted research investigating mouse development, ERBB2-driven breast cancer, and MED12-associated uterine leiomyoma using genetically engineered mouse models.
- Performed mouse handling, intraperitoneal injections, tissue collection, tumor extraction, and sample processing for downstream molecular analyses.
- Executed molecular biology workflows including DNA extraction, RNA extraction, genotyping, cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry.
- Contributed to experimental design, data collection, and interpretation of results across multiple cancer biology and developmental biology research projects.
- Presented research findings at institutional and national scientific conferences.
Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) Participant
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Conducted research investigating differentiation and immune marker expression in patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids.
- Performed immunofluorescence staining and microscopy-based characterization of organoid cultures.
- Laboratory of Dr. Senthil Muthuswamy
Education
Master of Science - Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD07.2023
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences & Natural And Applied Sciences
Florida International University (FIU) Honors College
Miami, FL04.2020
Skills
- Mammalian cell culture
- Aseptic technique
- Cell counting and viability assessment
- Cryopreservation and recovery of cell lines
Cell Biology & Cell Culture
- Immunofluorescence staining
- Microscopy image acquisition and analysis
Molecular Biology
RNA extraction and purification
cDNA synthesis
RT-qPCR
PCR and gel electrophoresis
ddPCR/dPCR
DNA extraction and purification
Sequencing library preparation
Molecular cloning
Transfection
Flow Cytometry & Immunology
Multi-parameter flow cytometry
Spectral flow cytometry
FlowJo
SpectraFlow
Antibody panel design and optimization
Immune cell phenotyping
Mouse colony management
Genotyping
Data Analysis & Scientific Communication
GraphPad Prism
Microsoft Excel
Experimental design
Assay development and validation
Scientific presentations
Literature review
Technical documentation
Affiliations
- The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Member, 11/01/20, Current
- Magna Cum Laude Academic Graduate Award, 04/01/20, 04/01/20
- Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC) Vice President, 04/01/19, 04/30/20
- Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholar, 03/01/19, 04/30/20
- Advanced Research and Creativity in Honors (ARCH) Program, 08/01/18, 12/31/19, Conducted a research project approved by the FIU Honors College and presented the results of the project at the Conference for Undergraduate Research at FIU.
- QBIC Organization Secretary, 04/01/18, 04/30/19
- QBIC Organization Class of 2020 Representative, 04/01/17, 04/30/18
- Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC) Scholar, 08/01/16, 04/30/20
Awards, grants, and scholarships
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences Graduate Student Fellowship, 08/01/21, 05/31/23, 2020 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM Travel Award, 11/01/19, 11/01/19, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Certificate of Achievement in Cancer Biology, 11/01/19, 11/01/19, Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS) Travel Award, 10/01/19, 10/01/19, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Travel Award, 09/01/19, 09/01/19, QBIC Summer Research Scholarship, 05/01/19, 08/31/19, QBIC Summer Research Scholarship, 05/01/18, 08/31/18, Florida International University University-wide Student Government Association STEM Scholarship, 08/01/17, 04/30/18, QBIC Program Scholarship, 08/01/16, 04/30/20, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, 08/01/16, 04/30/20
Timeline
Research Technician B
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
07.2025 - Current
Research & Development Research Associate
Accelevir Diagnostics
08.2023 - 05.2025
Graduate Student Researcher
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
08.2022 - 07.2023
Research Rotations
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
08.2021 - 07.2022
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Recipient
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
07.2020 - 07.2021
Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) Participant
06.2019 - 08.2019
Undergraduate Student Researcher
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
11.2016 - 04.2020
Master of Science - Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences & Natural And Applied Sciences
Florida International University (FIU) Honors College