Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Shaunna (Xiaoying) Shen

Cary,NC

Summary

Immunologist and vaccine researcher with 10+ years of experience leading translational research in immunology, virology, and bioinformatics. PI of a multi-year $3M/year NIH contract, with a strong track record in assay development, immune monitoring, and data-driven insights for HIV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine research. Skilled in both bench science and computational analysis, with 100+ peer-reviewed publications and a collaborative leadership style that bridges lab work, data science, and public health impact.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Professor

Department of Surgery, Duke University
01.2020 - Current
  • As deputy director, managed a lab of 25+ personnel dedicated to research on immune monitoring and vaccine-elicited antibody responses.
  • Managed and directed a multi-year NIH contract as PI, with $3M in direct costs allocated per grant year..
  • Directed and supported research activities across multiple contracts and grants, acting as PI or co-investigator.
  • Tracked and characterized SARS-CoV-2 variants to assess immune evasion, while evaluating serum responses from infections and vaccinations- delivering actionable data rapidly to inform public health decisions..
  • Collaborate extensively with vaccine trial networks to analyze antibody responses after vaccination, providing data-driven recommendations for vaccine improvement.
  • Engaged closely with statistical and bioinformatics experts to perform immune correlate analyses and model data, improving interpretation and informing vaccine and study design.
  • Presented and published research findings in professional conferences and scientific journals.
  • Worked with QA personnel to support adherence to GCLP standards within my lab’s research efforts.

Assistant Professor

Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University
06.2016 - 01.2020
  • Conducted research on antibody responses following HIV-1 vaccination in human clinical trials and in preclinical studies.
  • Led my team’s efforts in assessing humoral responses for preclinical studies, effectively managing evolving research priorities.
  • Learned a programming language to facilitate robust data analysis and effectively utilize extensive bioinformatics resources.
  • Mentored students, interns, and lab staff on both research projects and professional development.
  • Prepared study proposals for grant applications and obtained funding for research projects.
  • Presented and published research findings in professional meetings and scientific journals.

Education

Ph.D. - Comparative Pathology

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA
06.2004

Skills

  • Immunology and virology research
  • - Cell culture, virus production and cultures, molecular biology, serological assays
  • Vaccine response monitoring
  • Advanced data analysis and bioinformatics (R programming)
  • GCLP compliance, analysis, and documentation
  • Technology and analysis methods development
  • Collaboration with biostatistics and bioinformatics specialties for in-dept data analysis and modeling

Accomplishments

  • Worked alongside some of the most brilliant minds and pioneers in vaccinology, immunology, and bioinformatics.
  • Under significant time constraints, my team evaluated vaccine responses and characterized emerging variants for immune escape using newly developed and qualified assays for SARS-CoV-2, providing critical data to assist decision making.
  • Conducted research for preclinical and clinical AIDS vaccine studies, and generated data that influenced the trajectory of AIDS vaccine development.
  • Gained advanced skills in data analysis, leveraging programming languages and bioinformatics tools to drive robust investigation and meaningful interpretation.
  • Managed and re-competed successfully (as PI) a 7-yr NIH contract (direct cost $3M per year).
  • Published over 100 scientific journal articles as lead or contributing author. ( my publications )

Languages

English
Chinese (Mandarin)

Timeline

Associate Professor

Department of Surgery, Duke University
01.2020 - Current

Assistant Professor

Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University
06.2016 - 01.2020

Ph.D. - Comparative Pathology

University of California, Davis

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