Julia Dariu
Brighton,MA
Summary
Senior associate scientist specializing in viral vector production and process optimization. Demonstrated high productivity and efficiency across multiple projects. Proven ability to collaborate effectively and adapt quickly, leading to successful project outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
SR. Associate Scientist Upstream Development
Ensoma
Boston, MA
01.2026 - Current
- Troubleshooting DCN drug substance production issues by designing experiments to reduce helper virus contamination and investigating anomalous ultracentrifugation banding patterns to identify root causes and inform process adjustments
- Executing 2L and 10L laboratory-scale bioreactor runs using both Kynota and Sartorius BiostatB systems, including setup, monitoring, sampling, and shutdown
- Assumed full ownership of vector production responsibilities following a team restructuring, transitioning from a supporting role to sole contributor for the group while maintaining project continuity and timelines
- Overseeing inventory of consumables and viral vectors to ensure availability for experiments.
- Demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills, with accountability for project timelines and outcomes
Associate Scientist III Vector Production
Ensoma
Boston, MA
07.2024 - 01.2026
- Contributed to a team-wide effort that reduced HDAd rescue timeline from 2 months to 3–3.5 weeks by testing MOIs and process conditions; independently identified and implemented water bath sonication as a faster alternative to freeze-thaw lysis, and evaluated transfection conditions and co-infection harvest timepoints (48 vs. 72 hrs)
- Generated seed stocks for multiple adenovirus vectors and HDAd constructs, carrying each from rescue through production, purification, and scale-up to 10L bioreactors
- Authored rescue and production reports for drug substance material supporting the clinical program
- Streamlined production processes through creative problem-solving, enhancing robustness, capacity, and throughput
- Documented and reviewed experimental protocols, results, and conclusions in laboratory notebooks and technical reports
- Analyzed data with JMP and presented production insights, protocols, and results in PowerPoint at group and project team meetings to inform decision-making
- Liaised with external vendors for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Associate Scientist Contractor - Associate Scientist II
Ensoma
Boston, MA
02.2023 - 07.2024
- Executed vector production tasks, including buffer preparation, transfection, rescue, large-scale production, and purification of HDAd (helper-dependent adenovirus) while maintaining lab equipment and materials
- Executed QC testing of HDAd Lots— including genome extractions, sequencing alignment analysis, and endotoxin testing — to fulfill requests for in-vivo and in vitro studies across programs
- Revised vector production workflows and templates in Benchling, creating user-friendly guides to enhance team efficiency
- Maintained adherent and suspension mammalian HEK293 cell lines to ensure consistent availability for experimental use
- Maintained virus inventory via Excel-based tracking system and Benchling, facilitating efficient lot handoffs and QC status monitoring
Research Assistant Co-op
Pinetree Therapeutics
Cambridge, MA
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Maintained suspension CHO mammalian cell cultures and executed transfections for recombinant protein production
- Harvested cell cultures and purified bispecific antibody samples using two-step AKTA chromatography, including Protein A affinity and ion exchange (IEX) chromatography
- Executed low pH viral inactivation studies on protein samples, optimizing conditions for enhanced safety and stability
- Analyzed purified protein samples via SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and HPLC using SEC (size exclusion) and WCX columns
- Performed E. coli transformation and plasmid DNA extraction via maxiprep and miniprep methods
Research Assistant Co-op
Essigmann Laboratory MIT
Cambridge, MA
01.2019 - 06.2019
- Executed GPT assay on tissue and cell samples, including stock solution preparation, DNA extraction, bacterial inoculation, DNA packaging, titer checking, and mutant selection; contributing to reliable assay outcomes.
- Determined mutational spectra from cells and animals treated with various genotoxic agents; enhancing understanding of genetic impacts.
- Evaluated feasibility of new DNA purification kits for gpt assay; supporting optimization of laboratory protocols.
- Executed cell passaging procedures for mice kidney cells to maintain culture viability.
Pharmaceutical Development- CMC Project Management Co-op
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Cambridge, MA
07.2017 - 02.2018
- Coordinated key pipeline documents for Ironwood leadership team to enhance project visibility.
- Generated and updated summary timelines using Microsoft Project and One Pager, ensuring teams remained aligned with project objectives.
Education
Masters of Science - Biotechnology
Northeastern University
Boston, MA08-2022
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Northeastern University
Boston, MA06-2020
Skills
- Viral vector production
- Transfection
- Transduction
- Cell culture maintenance of adherent and suspended cells
- Chromatography
- SDS-Page Electrophoresis
- Flow Cytometry
- Bioreactor operation
- Cell freezing and thawing
- DNA Isolation
- Ultracentrifugation
- Data analysis
- Process optimization
- Experimental documentation
- Aseptic Technique
- Microsoft office
Languages
- English
- Albanian
Timeline
SR. Associate Scientist Upstream Development
Ensoma
01.2026 - Current
Associate Scientist III Vector Production
Ensoma
07.2024 - 01.2026
Associate Scientist Contractor - Associate Scientist II
Ensoma
02.2023 - 07.2024
Research Assistant Co-op
Pinetree Therapeutics
01.2022 - 06.2022
Research Assistant Co-op
Essigmann Laboratory MIT
01.2019 - 06.2019
Pharmaceutical Development- CMC Project Management Co-op
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
07.2017 - 02.2018
Masters of Science - Biotechnology
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Northeastern University