Lorraine Mutsvunguma
Forney,TX
Summary
Accomplished Biological Research Scientist with over 15 years of experience in vaccinology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunotherapy research. Demonstrated expertise in vaccine design, antibody discovery, protein production, and cancer research. Proven ability to lead teams, secure grants, and produce high-impact publications.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Scientist
City of Hope
Duarte, CA
05.2021 - 06.2024
- Secured and managed $440K in research grants (ACSR Young Investigator Pilot Grant, NIAID R21 Grant)
- Optimized marmoset and humanized mouse models for herpesvirus vaccine and immunotherapy studies
- Led a team of scientists to improve antibody production efficiency by 40%
- Established large-scale recombinant protein production in ExpiCHO systems
- Authored grant proposals and peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals
Postdoctoral Fellow
City of Hope
Duarte, CA
11.2016 - 05.2021
- Generated neutralizing antibodies against cancer-causing viruses, resulting in patents and product launches
- Developed and characterized vaccine candidates for EBV and KSHV
- Acquired advanced instrumentation (AKTA PURE M2) through grant writing
- Mentored junior researchers in molecular biology and immunoassay techniques
Research Fellow
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
02.2015 - 11.2016
- Contributed to the development of CRISPR/Cas9 tools and HIV-targeting AAV delivery systems
- Delivered lectures on gene editing to medical students
- Received faculty research grants for groundbreaking studies
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, South Africa01.2015
Master of Science - Microbiology
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, South Africa12.2010
Skills
- Cell culture protocols
- Protein production
- Antibody engineering
- PCR
- QPCR
- RNA isolation
- DNA isolation
- ELISA
- Flow cytometry
- Virus neutralization
- CRISPR/Cas9
- Gene editing
- Animal models
- GMP standards
- SOP development
- Assay design
- Project management
- Grant writing experience
- Experimental design expertise
Certification
- Advanced Flow Cytometry Certification, BioRAD
- GMP Compliance and Quality Control, City of Hope
Accomplishments
- Secured $440K in funding for herpesvirus infection models.
- Spearheaded humanized mouse model development for vaccine efficacy testing.
- Designed vaccines for EBV and KSHV, resulting in patents.
- Co-authored multiple publications on virus immunotherapy and biology.
Timeline
Staff Scientist
City of Hope
05.2021 - 06.2024
Postdoctoral Fellow
City of Hope
11.2016 - 05.2021
Research Fellow
University of the Witwatersrand
02.2015 - 11.2016
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry
Rhodes University
Master of Science - Microbiology
Rhodes University
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