Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Publications
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Loren Padilla

Winnetka,CA

Summary

Dedicated research scientist based in the San Fernando Valley with extensive expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. Committed to team collaboration and delivering measurable outcomes, consistently driving projects to successful completion. Adaptability to evolving needs ensures reliability and sustained performance in dynamic environments. Proficient in advanced laboratory techniques, project management, and critical thinking, bringing a comprehensive skill set that enhances research initiatives.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Research Associate

Capsida Biotherapeutics
2022 - Current
  • Extracted DNA and RNA from brain and peripheral tissues (~1000 samples per week).
  • Engaged in process optimization experiments to enhance the quality of RNA extractions.
  • Conducted Poly-A pulldown experiments to compare data between total RNA and mRNA.
  • Determined the minimum cell count necessary for high-quality RNA extraction.
  • Evaluated RNA extraction quality after various significant degradation intervals.
  • Contributed to the development and qualification of ddPCR assay to enable biodistribution data generation for IND-enabling studies.
  • Solidified experimental protocols and trained new team members across all functional High Throughput Sequencing teams (nucleic acid extraction, qPCR/ddPCR biodistribution).
  • Mentored junior researchers on experimental design and execution.

Graduate Student Researcher

California State University, Northridge
2019 - 2021
  • Published a first-author manuscript about my thesis research in Feb 2024.
  • Generated, processed, and analyzed transcriptomic (RNA) sequence data for strictly anaerobic bacteria cultivated on multiple carbon substrates.
  • Compared the transcriptomic data of Akkermansia muciniphila's growth on glucose with that on 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) to determine its role in the development of the infant microbiome from birth.
  • Completed RNA extractions and cDNA library generation for Sequencing and qRTPCR.
  • Conducted RNA sequencing differential gene expression analyses on using R.
  • Trained lab members in RNA extraction, anaerobic culturing, microscopy, qPCR.

Laboratory Assistant

Los Angeles County Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Isolated and cultivated pathogenic microbes from patient specimens, leading to suitable treatment (>150 samples per week).
  • Cultured and assessed patient specimens, including sputum, wound cultures, urine, blood, and stool, for antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
  • Identified disease-causing bacteria using mass spectrometry (VITEK MS).
  • Ensured quality control for incubators, refrigerators, and benchtop warmers.

Laboratory Assistant

Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Cultured stool samples from patients to screen for E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
  • Managed the influx of county-wide public health specimens to identify community sources of potential HIV/AIDS, measles, Salmonella, and Shigella outbreaks.
  • Accessioned specimens (sputum, urine, blood, stool, cervical swabs) to appropriate departments (>1000 samples per week).
  • Coordinated the delivery and transportation of samples with hospitals across Los Angeles County.

Education

M.S. - Biology

California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA
12-2021

Skills

  • Anaerobic culture techniques
  • Cell line propagation
  • Proficient in droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) techniques
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR/qPCR) expertise
  • Analysis of lunatic/stunner metrics, TapeStation operation, Qubit quantification proficiency
  • Next generation sequencing (NGS)
  • Proficient in phase contrast microscopy techniques
  • DNA and RNA purification methods
  • RNA sequence interpretation
  • GraphPad Prism
  • Statistical analysis
  • MS office

Languages

Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Laboratory Assistant

Los Angeles County Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019

Laboratory Assistant

Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory
01.2016 - 01.2018

Senior Research Associate

Capsida Biotherapeutics
2022 - Current

Graduate Student Researcher

California State University, Northridge
2019 - 2021

M.S. - Biology

California State University, Northridge

Publications

  • Padilla L, Fricker AD, Luna E, Choudhury B, Hughes ER, Panzetta ME, Valdivia RH, Flores GE. 2024. Mechanism of 2'-fucosyllactose degradation by human-associated Akkermansia. J Bacteriol 206:e00334-23.https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00334-23
  • Luna E, Parkar SG, Kirmiz N, Hartel S, Hearn E, Hossine M, Kurdian A, Mendoza C, Orr K, Padilla L, Ramirez K, Salcedo P, Serrano E, Choudhury B, Paulchakrabarti M, Parker CT, Huynh S, Cooper K, Flores GE. 2022. Utilization Efficiency of Human Milk Oligosaccharides by Human-Associated Akkermansia Is Strain Dependent. Appl Environ Microbiol 88:e01487-21.https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01487-21

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