Hi, I’m
JESSA PAYUSAN
Research & QA Chemist
Chicago,IL
Summary
Accomplished research chemist with 10 years of professional experience, trained and highly skilled in both experimental and computational aspects of biochemistry and organic chemistry. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills and constantly reinventing and improving in data-driven drug discovery, computer-aided drug design, bioinformatics, chemical biology, bio-analytical chemistry, and precision medicine, and eager to learn relevant scientific and industrial research technologies and innovations. Driven by the desire and passion for helping patients by contributing to the discovery and development of innovative and safe therapeutic solutions to the most pressing medical challenges and mysteries.
Overview
10
years of professional experience
8
years of post-secondary education
4
Certifications
3
Languages
Work History
The University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
08.2022 - 05.2023
Job overview
- Taught biochemistry concepts and laboratory techniques to senior undergraduate students, such as DNA amplification, transformation, PCR, cloning, protein expression, and protein purification
- Taught analytical chemistry concepts and laboratory techniques to junior undergraduate students, including classical methods such as gravimetric methods and titrations, to instrumental techniques such as spectrophotometric techniques and atomic absorption spectroscopy, among others
- Assisted professors in handling classes, office hours, administering exams, and grading
The University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL
Research Assistant
05.2022 - 08.2022
Job overview
- Worked on research on extreme biology and biophysics under UIC-LAS Distinguished Professor, Dr Russell Hemley, focusing on microorganisms that can withstand, survive, and adapt to extreme temperatures and pressure (extremophiles)
- Attended training and workshop on HP-BIO SAXS at Cornell University High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS Cornell)
- Participated in the Extreme Biology and Biophysics Meeting by the Research Consortium Network (RCN) organized by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of New York
The University Of Illinois At ChicagoChicago, IL
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
08.2021 - 05.2022
Job overview
- Taught general chemistry concepts and laboratory techniques to freshmen undergraduate students
- Devised and implemented strategies for engaging students in class discussions.
- Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain the entire class and student records.
- Assisted with developing and implementing new course materials to enhance the learning experience.
- Assisted professors in handling lectures and discussion sessions, office hours, administering exams, and grading
Department of Science & TechnologyIligan City, Philippines
Senior Science Research Specialist
01.2018 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Drug Design & Development Related Research Laboratory, The Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM), Philippines
- DOST-SEI CIP Researcher working on a government-funded project under the 'Synthesis and Derivatization of Disease-Specific Bioactive Hits and Lead Compounds' of the Drug Discovery and Development Program of PCHRD-DOST
- Designed several small heterocyclic molecules that may exhibit desired bioactivity with the aid of in silico molecular techniques toward the target receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)
- Perform in silico ADMETox property determination and investigate their potential bioactivities and physicochemical properties as preparation for in vitro, in vivo, and pre-clinical screenings.
- Increase the product yield of the synthesized compounds by developing gram-scale and eco-friendly routes and methods of pharmacologically-active compounds through the application of the principles of sustainable chemical synthesis.
- Prepare quarterly and annual technical reports summarizing and highlighting research outcomes, challenges, further improvements, and future directions.
- Manage several aspects of the research, including task assignment and scheduling, data management, budget management, personnel management, and instrument procurement.
- Oversee the handling and maintenance of the laboratory's instruments and other essential equipment.
- Collaborate and coordinate with researchers within the institute and from other research institutions and agencies.
- Represent the research team on pre-bid/bid conferences and meetings with other research groups, collaborators, funding agencies, and stakeholders.
- Get involved in other academic-related and non-academic activities that promote health-related research, science education (STEM), science community impacts, and science as a whole.
Philippine Genome Center, University of the PhilippinesQuezon City, Philippines
Bioinformatics Intern
01.2020 - 02.2020
Job overview
- Core Facility for Bioinformatics, Computational Genomics, and Systems Biology
- Participated in a training and internship program in biology, genomics, bioinformatics, machine learning, and other computational techniques with supervised and hands-on experience on actual research infrastructure development on real bioinformatics projects
- Attended crash courses on molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, and the different omics techniques
- Participated in training on Python, bash, and SQL
- Worked on a project which involved the use of publicly available databases (GDSC, DrugBank, PubChem, PubMed, COSMIC, etc.) on cancer-related studies in the pursuit of creating a knowledge base that correlates anticancer drugs and the associated cancer oncogenes and pathways, with the ultimate goal of helping cancer patients and clinicians in selecting the most suitable available drugs in the market.
Tugas Virtual SolutionsIligan City, Philippines
Web Content Writer/Blogger
03.2014 - 12.2017
Job overview
- Wrote content on several websites for Search Engine Optimization
Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics, PRISM, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyIligan City, Philippines
Research Assistant
07.2016 - 07.2017
Job overview
- Project: “Synthesis, Derivatization, and Antihypertensive Activity of Benzimidazoles,” Phase I
- Worked on a research project under the Drug Discovery and Development (D3) Program funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development – Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST)
- Organized and developed methods for the synthesis of different pharmacologically-active compounds (small molecules)
- Applied the concepts and principles of green/sustainable chemistry synthesis to conventional reaction pathways
- Developed easy and eco-friendly methods in the purification of synthesized compounds
- Elucidated the synthesized compounds using IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and Mass spectrometry
- Investigated the potential antihypertensive activity of the synthesized compounds
- Investigated the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds
- Correlated the bioactivity of the synthesized compounds with their structures through Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) analysis
- Oversaw the handling and maintenance of the instruments in the laboratory, such as the LC-MS, FTIR, Ultrasonic Reactor, and Dedicated Microwave Reactor
- Collaborated and coordinated with research assistants and analysts in the completion of tasks and the improvement of current techniques
Asia Brewery, IncEl Salvador City, Philippines
Quality Assurance Analyst
12.2012 - 04.2014
Job overview
- Evaluated and maintained the highest quality of the accepted raw materials for the brewery and bottling products
- Provided laboratory services in the manufacturing of carbonated drinks and energy drinks
- Provided laboratory services for the water quality used in the entire manufacturing process
- Attended several trainings on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control (HACCP), and ISO 22000
Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGOChicago, IL
Master of Science from Chemistry (Biochemistry/Chemical Biology)
08.2021 - 05.2023
University Overview
- Worked under the supervision of Prof. Xiaojing Yang, focusing on protein expression, purification, characterization, and crystallization of light-sensitive proteins.
- Projects involved in: "Crystallographic analyses and enzyme activity assay of beta-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1)" and "Serial crystallography of RECGAF protein."
- Relevant trainings and skills learned:
• Biochemistry
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Structural Biology
• Bioinformatics
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY – ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYIligan City, Philippines
Master of Science from Chemistry (Organic Chemistry)
06.2014 - 07.2016
University Overview
- Worked under the supervision of Dr. Evelyn Creencia, focusing on sustainable organic synthesis of small heterocyclic molecules with potential antihypertensive properties
- Thesis Title: “One-pot Solvent-Free Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Bioactivity Screening of Diverse Halogenated 2-Arylbenzimidazoles”
- Relevant trainings and skills learned:
• Organic Synthesis Chemistry
• Hetererocyclic Chemistry
• Microwave-Assisted Synthesis
• Structure Elucidation (UV, LCMS, FT-IR, NMR)
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY – ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYIligan City, Philippines
Bachelor of Science from Chemistry (Natural Products)
06.2008 - 04.2012
University Overview
- Worked under the supervision of Dr. Anita Rivera, focusing on the extraction and characterization of bioactive metabolites from marine sponges
- Thesis Title: “In vitro Antioxidant Assay and Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of the Sub-Fractions Obtained from the Extracts of the Marine Sponge Aaptos suberitoides”.
Skills
PCR Machine, Electrophoresis, Protein Purification, HPLC, LCMS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and Microwave (for synthesis)
undefinedAccomplishments
Project SPARTA Data Science Scholarship - DOST-PCIEERD | Analytics Asscociation of the Philippines | Development Academy of the Philippines |Coursebank August 2020
2020 Bioinformatics Training & Internship Award - Philippine Council for Industry,Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD, Philippines)
January 2020
President's Award for Outstanding Achievement for Culture and Arts -Department of Education (Philippines)
April 2007
President's Academic Excellence Award - Department of Education (Philippines)
April 2007
Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program(ASTHRDP) Graduate Scholarship - Department of Science and Technology -Science Education Institute (Philippines) Jun 2014
2nd Best Paper Award - Department of Research, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (Philippines)
November 2017
Research Grant under the Student Research Support Fund (SRSF) - Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute
August 2016
Cum Laude - Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (Philippines) April 2012
Affiliations
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP)
Certification
CHESS Cornell HP-BIO SAXS Training - Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source
Other Interests
Art
• Modern Calligraphy & Hand-lettering, Watercolor Painting, Stamp Carving
• Photography
Music
• Repertory, Choir, and acoustic
Sport
• Athletics
Poetry
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
The University of Illinois Chicago
08.2022 - 05.2023
Research Assistant
The University of Illinois Chicago
05.2022 - 08.2022
CHESS Cornell HP-BIO SAXS Training - Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source
04-2022
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
Master of Science from Chemistry (Biochemistry/Chemical Biology)
08.2021 - 05.2023
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
The University Of Illinois At Chicago
08.2021 - 05.2022
Getting Grounded on Analytics - Coursebank
12-2020
Bioinformatics Training and Internship - Philippine Genome Center | University ofthe Philippines
02-2020
Bioinformatics Intern
Philippine Genome Center, University of the Philippines
01.2020 - 02.2020
Senior Science Research Specialist
Department of Science & Technology
01.2018 - 06.2021
Research Assistant
Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics, PRISM, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
07.2016 - 07.2017
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY – ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Master of Science from Chemistry (Organic Chemistry)
06.2014 - 07.2016
Web Content Writer/Blogger
Tugas Virtual Solutions
03.2014 - 12.2017
Quality Assurance Analyst
Asia Brewery, Inc
12.2012 - 04.2014
Registered Chemist - Philippine Professional Regulation Commission
10-2012
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY – ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Science from Chemistry (Natural Products)
06.2008 - 04.2012
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