Eric Lee
Natick,MA
Summary
Accomplished researcher and PhD graduate from UCLA's Yeates Lab, with a proven track record in developing protein-based nanoparticles and leading project teams. Expert in recombinant gene design, protein purification, and analytical techniques. Demonstrated ability in mentorship, scientific communication, and critical thinking. Achieved significant advancements in targeted molecular delivery, evidenced by publications and a patent.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Researcher, PhD Candidate
Yeates Lab, UCLA
01.2019 - 03.2024
Successfully designed protein-based nanoparticles for molecular encapsulation and release
- Project leader: delegated tasks and led troubleshooting efforts.
- Rational design and modeling of proteins via ColabFold and PyMOL.
- Recombinant gene design and protein expression in E. Coli.
- Purified self-assembling protein complexes via affinity chromatography, dialysis, AKTA and BioRad FPLC systems.
- Characterized purified proteins via UV-Vis, SDS- and native PAGE, dynamic light scattering, negative-stain electron microscopy.
- Executed critical tasks on a deadline for multiple stakeholders.
- Prepared, revised, and delivered project/data reports.
- Presented findings and impact to both field experts and laymen.
- Maintained field knowledge through literature search and journal clubs.
Teaching Assistant
UCLA, Department of Chemistry
01.2019 - 03.2024
Introduction to Biochemical Methods: trained and supervised a total of 80 undergraduates over 5 academic quarters in laboratory techniques
- Instructed students on bacterial cell culture, protein purification, and enzyme activity and inhibition assays.
- Reviewed and gave feedback on lab reports and oral presentations.
- Led weekly discussions on scientific concepts in the classroom, one-on-one office hours, and group review sessions.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Lowery Lab, Boston College
10.2015 - 03.2018
Investigated the roles of TACC3 and TorsinA on neural development
- Designed morpholinos for targeted gene knockdown
- Performed RNA extractions and injections into early-stage embryos.
- Differential expression and axonal growth tested via western blotting and confocal microscopy.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology
UCLA
01.2024
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Boston College
01.2018
Skills
- Recombinant gene design and expression
- Protein purification and analytics
- Molecular biology techniques
- Affinity and size-exclusion chromatography
- Experimental design and troubleshooting
- Project management
- Platform development
- Data analysis
- Literature research
- Scientific writing
- Data presentation
- Figure illustration
- Critical and creative thinking
- Mentorship
Publications
- Eric J. Lee, Nika Gladkov, Todd O. Yeates, Design of Ligand-Operable Protein-Cages That Open Upon Specific Protein Binding., 01/19/24, ACS Synthetic Biology, 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00383
- Nika Gladkov, Elena A. Scott, Kyle Meador, Eric J. Lee, Arthur D. Laganowsky, Todd O. Yeates, Roger Castells-Graells, Design of a symmetry-broken tetrahedral protein cage by a method of internal steric occlusion., 04/01/24, Protein Science, 10.1002/pro.4973
- Burcu Erdogan, Garrett M. Cammarata, Eric J. Lee, Benjamin C. Pratt, Andrew F. Francl, Erin L. Rutherford, Laura Anne Lowery, The microtubule plus-end-tracking protein TACC3 promotes persistent axon outgrowth and mediates responses to axon guidance signals during development., 02/15/17, Neural Development, 10.1186/s13064-017-0080-7
Patents
Eric J. Lee, Justin E. Miller, Todd O. Yeates, Ligand Operable Protein Cages., 02/14/22, Provisional patent filed and assigned to UC Regents, US Application No. 63/308,243
Posters
Eric J. Lee, Justin E. Miller, Nika Gladkov, and Todd O. Yeates. Design and Synthesis of Ligand-Operable Protein Cages: Nanoparticles Tuned for Targeted Delivery and Release.
- Sigman Symposium, October 2022, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Seaborg Symposium, August 2022, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Eric J. Lee, Burcu Erdogan, Andrew Francl, Laura Anne Lowery. TACC3 mitigates Nocodazole-induced growth cone effects and is required for proper embryonic neural development and morphology. Northeast Regional Meeting of The Society for Developmental Biology (NESDB), April 2017, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
Timeline
Researcher, PhD Candidate
Yeates Lab, UCLA
01.2019 - 03.2024
Teaching Assistant
UCLA, Department of Chemistry
01.2019 - 03.2024
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Lowery Lab, Boston College
10.2015 - 03.2018
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology
UCLA
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Boston College
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