Michelle Ponder
West Hartford
Summary
Clinical research professional with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving measurable results. Recognized for analytical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic research environments with skills in data management and protocol development.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Research Scientist
Cofactor Genomics
2022.11 - 2026.02
- Original on-site position in St. Louis, MO performing laboratory work (25% of role) and clinical trial management (75% of role).
- Main clinical trial management involved coordinating with outside research institutions, software production teams, and institutional reviewboards to drive all aspects of the company's national PREDAPT clinical trial.
- Main laboratory work involved accessioning tumor specimens, extracting RNA, and producing and sequencing DNA libraries.
- Responsible for all clinical trial data production and management derived from outside sources.
- Role in data analysis and research publication construction derived from clinical/laboratory data.
- Author on multiple papers published during role (specific citations available upon request; all published under last name Ponder).
- Transitioned to remote only employee in June 2025 with work load focused on managing clinical trial (80%) and establishing pipeline for OncoPrism testing launch based on positive clinical trial results (20%).
Biologist
Bayer Crop Sciences Technology Innovation Team (Revolution Technologies Contract Employee)
2021.12 - 2022.10
- Contract position focused on supporting rapid development of novel microfluidics technology for high throughput research through utilization of molecular biology and protein science techniques.
- Generated fusion proteins through in vitro transcription/translation systems by creation of plasmid constructs and linear DNA.
- Protein purification by immunoprecipitation and/or column-based methods from in vitro transcription/translation systems.
- Ability to produce scientific data in a rapid timeframe for 6-month analysis from start of project.
- Job duties provided within a team environment providing multiple scientists with reagents and data within the same time frame.
Clinical Research Scientist
Biobank-Infectious Diseases Depts. Ochsner Health System
2016.03 - 2019.02
- Managed regulatory processes, developed new laboratory pipeline processes, organized patient activity, and conducted experimental protocols as they relate to all aspects of clinical trials.
- Specific collaborative projects range from diverse departments such as surgical oncology, infectious disease, and bariatrics with an emphasis on written experimental study design and patient materials.
- Collaborated with Rebotix to design a Phase I clinical trial focused on infectious disease that gained FDA approval.
- LIMS proficient with main utilization of Freezerworks software manager (attended Education Conference and Training, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2016)
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
2013.01 - 2015.05
- Professor for Molecular Biology of the Cell and Genetics- lecture and laboratory courses- for 150+ students per semester.
- Member of the Graduate Council which accepts and trains graduate students.
- Internal competitive grant funded research focused on transcriptional control of gene regulation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Scientist
Department of Biological Sciences
2010.10 - 2012.10
- Research focused on an imprinted gene, PEG3, which is down regulated in approximately 90% of ovarian carcinomas. My published data is the first evidence that PEG3 is a DNA-binding protein.
- Major responsibility was to introduce new techniques to the laboratory.
- Managed collaborative high-throughput DNA sequencing projects with the LSU molecular biology core facility and Life Technologies’ Ion Torrent company using DNA-encoded libraries.
Postdoctoral Scientist
Department of Pathology
2008.07 - 2010.08
- Research focused on characterizing transcription factors and histone modifications that were altered in serous ovarian carcinoma.
- Managed collaborative genomic microarray projects (ChIP-array, protein interaction screenings, etc.) with the Bioinformatics department at Virginia Tech and Johns Hopkins Bayview core facility.
- Trained and supervised undergraduate and graduate students in molecular biology techniques, application, and scientific understanding.
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
University of Florida, College of Medicine
2008-05
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry (Honors), English
Centenary College of Louisiana
2003-05
Skills
- Clinical trial management
- Patient recruitment and engagement
- Biological laboratory skills
- Administrative skills
- Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment
Timeline
Clinical Research Scientist
Cofactor Genomics
2022.11 - 2026.02
Biologist
Bayer Crop Sciences Technology Innovation Team (Revolution Technologies Contract Employee)
2021.12 - 2022.10
Clinical Research Scientist
Biobank-Infectious Diseases Depts. Ochsner Health System
2016.03 - 2019.02
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
2013.01 - 2015.05
Scientist
Department of Biological Sciences
2010.10 - 2012.10
Postdoctoral Scientist
Department of Pathology
2008.07 - 2010.08
Ph.D. - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
University of Florida, College of Medicine
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry (Honors), English
Centenary College of Louisiana
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Flanagan K.C., Earls J., Hiken J., Wellinghoff R.L., Ponder M.M., McLeod H.L., Westra W.H., Vavinskaya V., Sutton L., Deichaite I., Macdonald O.K., Welaya K., Wade J. 3rd, Azzi G., Pippas A.W., Slim J., Bank B., Sui X., Kossman S.E., Shenkenberg T.D., Alexander W.L., Price K.A., Ley J., Messina D.N., Glasscock J.I., Colevas A.D., Cohen E.E.W., Adkins D., Duncavage E.J. (2024). Multicenter validation of an RNA-based assay to predict anti-PD-1 disease control in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the PREDAPT study. J Immunother Cancer. Nov 3;12(11):e009573.
- Sanchez-Pino, M., Richardson, W., Zabaleta, J., Puttalingaiah, R., Chapple, A., Liu, J., Kim, Y., Ponder, M., DeArmitt, R., Baiamonte, L., Wyczechowska, D., Zheng, L., Al-Khami, A., Garay, J., Martini, R., Davis, M., Rodriguez, P., Gorham, J., Wooldridge, J., Ochoa, A. (2022). Increased inflammatory low-density neutrophils in severe obesity and effect of bariatric surgery: Results from case-control and prospective cohort studies. eBioMedicine. 77,103910.
- Ponder, M. and Garcia-Diaz, J. (2017). Managing the HIV patient with hepatitis. Infectious Disease Special Edition. October 2.
- Thiaville, M.M., Stoeck, A., Chen, L., Wu, R.C., Magnani, L., Oidtman, J., Shih le, M., Lupien, M., and Wang, T.L. (2012). Identification of PBX1 target genes in cancer cells by global mapping of PBX1 binding sites. PloS One. 7(5), e36054.
- Thiaville, M.M., Dudenhausen, E.E., Awad, K.S., Gjyimishka, A., Zhong, C., and Kilberg, M.S. (2008). Activated transcription via mammalian amino acid response elements does not require enhanced recruitment of the Mediator complex. Nucleic Acids Research. 36, 5571-5580.
- Thiaville, M.M., Pan, Y.X., Gjyimishka, A., Zhong, C., Kaufman, R.J., and Kilberg, M.S. (2008). MEK signaling is required for phosphorylation of eIF2alpha following amino acid limitation of HepG2 human hepatoma cells. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 283, 10848-10857.