Oriana Hawkins, Ph.D.
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
Dedicated and experienced scientist specializing in Immunology and Cancer Biology with a history of developing peer-to-peer relationships and advocating for optimal patient care. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to advance the organizational brand and products.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Assay Development
Entvantage Diagnostics, Inc.
11.2015 - Current
- Developed deep understanding of clinical needs and pain points to deliver custom IVD product.
- Built and mentored a team of Master’s level scientists in bacterial immunoassay development.
- Collaborated with quality, regulatory, clinical and other internal teams to meet shared goals.
- Developed and maintained relationships with tactical partners.
- Liaised with external stakeholders; investors, Key Opinion Leaders, Board of Directors and clinicians.
- Communicated directly with FDA Microbiology division during In Vitro Diagnostic pre-submission.
- Supported site identification, qualification, and clinical staff training for ongoing clinical trial.
- Reviewed professional publications to stay current on literature and make strategic research decisions.
- Conferred with scientists, engineers or others to to provide technical assistance for manufacturing transfer.
- Assisted in obtaining patents.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussion of topics relevant to coursework.
- Designed and delivered classroom instruction to meet course competencies.
- Taught in a team environment across satellite campuses utilizing remote learning platforms, and interactive response technology.
- Provided instruction in Current Topics in Biotechnology, a course designed to introduce graduate students to topics such as antibody and bispecific engineering and protein expression.
- Provided instruction in Immunology and Immunopathology, including topics related to antigen processing and presentation and antigen receptor structure, function and diversity.
- Mentored Biotechnology Master’s Program Students.
Lab Director and Research Scientist
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
07.2013 - 08.2015
- Liased with prospective clients of the Center for Immunotherapeutic Development to develop contract research proposals, including budget and project aims.
- Coordinated equipment monitoring, calibration and maintenance, SOP development to GLP standards, personnel training, project assignment and resource deployment.
- Maintained strict safety protocols to protect staff and assets while carrying out technical procedures.
- Built and led a team of 12 PhD and Master’s level scientists, technicians and Biotech interns in assay development, protein production and purification, and preclinical drug efficacy in murine models of breast and ovarian cancer.
- Utilized extensive knowledge of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology to develop project methodology and controls to ensure high quality deliverables.
- Wrote research papers, reports, and grants to support client projects.
- Reviewed professional publications to stay current on literature and make strategic research decisions.
- Learned and developed new laboratory techniques to carry out enhanced experiments.
- Streamlined research processes to meet tight deadlines for multiple projects.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Vanderbilt University Medical Ctr, Cancer Biology
09.2010 - 06.2013
- Liaised with supervisor to review grants and manuscripts to develop publications.
- Published research results in peer-reviewed journals and presented at seminars and national meetings.
- Contributed to and actively participated in research conception, design and execution focused on addressing the role of chemokine/chemokine receptor interactions and cell signaling pathways on the immune response in the tumor microenvironment.
- Conducted preclinical drug efficacy in murine models of breast cancer and melanoma.
- Provided instruction on the Immune System and Cancer to graduate students in the Cancer Biology Methodology course.
Education
Postdoctal Training - Cancer Biology
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNPh.D. - Microbiology And Immunology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OKMaster of Science - Microbiology And Immunology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OKBachelor of Science - Zoology
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OKSkills
- In Vitro Diagnostics
- Preclinical drug development
- Cancer Biology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Scientific Communication
- Grantsmanship
- Quality Management Systems
- Clinical Research
- Mentorship and Teaching
- IRB, IACUC, IBC submissions
Accomplishments
- Awarded SBIR Phase II and Phase IIb grant for clinical development of a sinusitis diagnostic test system.
- Issued 3 patents for development of a sinusitis diagnostic test system.
- Earned a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Post-doctoral fellowship in Cancer Biology.
- Awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate research Fellowship in Immunology.
- Issued 2 patents for enrichment methods for phospho-peptides presented by HLA.
Professional Service
- NIAID DCAI (12) Small Business: Anti-Infective Therapeutics Study Section Reviewer
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Breast Cancer Research Program Consumer Reviewer
- Cancer Research and Cancer Immunology Research Ad Hoc Reviewer
- Susan G. Komen Advocacy Ambassador and 2022 Tori Geib Advocate Champion
Additional Information
Pubmed Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/oriana.hawkins.1/bibliography/public/
Timeline
Director of Assay Development
Entvantage Diagnostics, Inc.
11.2015 - Current
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
08.2013 - 08.2015
Lab Director and Research Scientist
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
07.2013 - 08.2015
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Vanderbilt University Medical Ctr, Cancer Biology
09.2010 - 06.2013
Postdoctal Training - Cancer Biology
Vanderbilt University
Ph.D. - Microbiology And Immunology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Master of Science - Microbiology And Immunology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
Oklahoma State University
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