Katya Suslova
Summary
- My mission is to leverage my expertise and creativity to deliver innovative cell and gene therapy solutions that improve human health and well-being.
- Collaborative, dynamic and goal-oriented multitasker who thrives in a challenging fast-paced environment;
- Over 15 years of progressive experience in pre-clinical studies, cell and gene therapy, HTS, assay development and drug discovery;
- Proven track record of managing research teams and leading complex R&D projects from idea generation to experimental execution and commercialization;
- 22 peer-reviewed scientific papers in esteemed research journals like Nature Communications, Nature Methods, and Nature Biotechnology;
- Multiple awards and honors including the L’Oreal-UNESCO award “Women in Science” and the European Academy Award for Young Scientists. Top skills
- Project Management
- Pre-clinical studies
- Cell and Gene therapy
- Drug Development, HTS
- Oncology, immunology
- Design of Experiments (DoE)
- Cell-based Assay Development
- High content imaging analysis
- Molecular and cell biology
- Cell culture (Stem Cells, T-cells)
- AAV, LV, IVD
- Data Analysis
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist III
ThermoFisher Scientific
San Diego, CA
01.2022 - Current
- Lead 600K small molecule high-throughput screening (HTS) project and supervise cell-based assay development and optimization for cell and gene therapy applications for clinically relevant primary cells;
- Serve as R&D scientific lead for developing and validating cell-based screening assays;
- Manage HTS screening project aimed at developing advanced AAV production platform to improve the efficiency and quality of viral gene delivery and expression, at the same time optimizing cost-efficiency for the customers;
- Enabled technology transfer and achieved assay time improvement by 3-fold via successful implementation of matrix experiments and design of experiments (DoE), automated liquid handlers, and developing high content imaging capabilities;
- Supervised lentiviral (LV) - CRISPR assay development project focused on screening innate immunity genes, serving as primary point of contact for interactions with CROs and overseeing intricate fluorescence imaging, statistical data analysis, and data presentation.
Senior Scientist
Sakura Finetek USA
Los Angeles, CA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Established and led molecular biology laboratory from the ground up;
- Managed several complex projects for in vitro cancer diagnostics (IVD), spearheaded enhancements in IVD reagents, consumables, and medical devices, offering technical expertise for R&D initiatives;
- Developed new reagent formulations, products, and processes, spanning from laboratory research to manufacturing scale-up in the field of human tissue fixation and automated biopsy processing;
- Implemented molecular methods for on-site isolation, preservation and downstream characterization of human genomic DNA from FFPE samples;
- Effectively collaborated with external partners to support ongoing clinical trial evaluation and conducted validation in accordance with quality system requirements ensuring compliance with ISO and FDA standards.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New York, NY
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Pioneered deep-tissue neuronal imaging with novel near-infrared fluorescent protein-based biosensors, enabling multiplexing with optogenetic tools and fluorescent biomarkers;
- Successfully implemented and optimized high-throughput screening technology to enhance the efficiency of fluorescent biosensors development by enabling the screening time reduction by 3-fold.
Staff, Research Scientist
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
Moscow, RU
01.2008 - 01.2017
- Managed a team of five scientists and led a project aimed at developing biologics, including antibody-targeted recombinant proteins, immunotoxins and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer diagnostics and targeted tumor treatment;
- Made a breakthrough improvement in the contrast of fluorescent biosensors by unprecedented 800%;
- Designed, planned and technically executed multiple research projects, engaged in persuasive scientific writing, and secured grant funding from international sources, including a grant from Novartis Pharma;
- Conducted cutting-edge research to expand the palette of fluorescent products, and played a pivotal role in the development of novel bright fluorescent biomarkers, including far-red fluorescent protein mKate for non-invasive mammalian "whole-body" imaging and deep tissue visualization;
- Achieved recognition for innovating, validating, and launching several state-of-the-art high-contrast fluorescent biosensors for IVD, molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and immunology.
R&D Scientist
Biotechnological Company Evrogen JSC
Visiting Scientist
Bristol University
Bristol
Visiting Scientist
La Trobe University
Melbourne
Visiting Scientist
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm
- Awards and Recognition
- L’Oreal-UNESCO award “Women in Science”, 2016
- European Academy Award for Young Scientists, 2010
- Speaker, 13 International Conferences and Symposia
Education
Design Excellence of Experiments (DoE) yellow belt certification”, ThermoFisher Scientific -
01.2023
Harvard Medical School -
01.2019
“The FDA and prescription drugs”, HarvardX -
University of California Los Angeles
01.2019
“Drug discovery -
University of California, John Hopkins University
01.2019
“Pharmacology” HMX Fundamentals -
01.2018
Ph.D - Molecular Biology
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
Master of Science - Biochemistry
Lomonosov Moscow State University
“Immunology” HMX Fundamentals -
Timeline
Scientist III
ThermoFisher Scientific
01.2022 - Current
Senior Scientist
Sakura Finetek USA
01.2020 - 01.2022
Postdoctoral Fellow
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
01.2017 - 01.2019
Staff, Research Scientist
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
01.2008 - 01.2017
R&D Scientist
Biotechnological Company Evrogen JSC
Visiting Scientist
Bristol University
Visiting Scientist
La Trobe University
Visiting Scientist
Karolinska Institutet
Design Excellence of Experiments (DoE) yellow belt certification”, ThermoFisher Scientific -
Harvard Medical School -
“The FDA and prescription drugs”, HarvardX -
University of California Los Angeles
“Drug discovery -
University of California, John Hopkins University
“Pharmacology” HMX Fundamentals -
Ph.D - Molecular Biology
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
Master of Science - Biochemistry
Lomonosov Moscow State University