Siaka Fadera
Saint Louis,USA
Summary
Dynamic professional with strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, demonstrating a proven ability to adapt quickly to new environments. Committed to contributing to team success while pursuing opportunities for professional development. A positive attitude and dedication to continuous learning drive the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors. Prepared to leverage these strengths to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative setting.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Doctoral Candidate, Chen Ultrasound Lab
Washington University in St. Louis
08.2021 - Current
- Spearheading the development of a novel focused ultrasound protocol to enhance intranasal and intrathecal drug delivery in a large-animal model, with the goal of advancing treatments for brain cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Executed core project activities including conjugation of antibodies with fluorescent tracers; administering injections and performing surgical procedures; and quantified fluorescence conjugated antibody biodistribution using in vivo imaging system (IVIS) and ex vivo tissue analysis using fluorescence microscopy and ELISA.
- Performed the acquisition and analysis of preclinical MRI data in large-animal models to quantify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and glymphatic transport, correlating imaging findings with drug distribution and clearance outcomes using ITK-SNAP, FSL, and MATLAB for image segmentation, registration, and quantitative analysis, directly linking CSF dynamics to therapeutic efficacy.
- Led preclinical studies with a multi-disciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiologists, MRI physicists, and veterinarians to ensure rigorous experimental design and execute translational neurotherapeutic experiments.
- Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, clinical research coordinators, and biomedical engineers to pioneer the development of "sonobiopsy," a non-invasive technique using focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening for molecular diagnosis; supported the first prospective human clinical trial confirming its feasibility for glioblastoma, with broad potential applications in neurological disorders.
Graduate Research Assistant
Stem Cell and Biomaterial Lab (National Tsing Hua University)
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Developed and optimized a novel silk fibroin bioink for 3D bioprinting through material synthesis, enhancing printability and material stability.
- Performed rheological analysis and cell viability testing to ensure the bioink’s suitability for tissue engineering applications.
- Recorded data and maintained source documentation following good documentation practices.
Graduate Research Assistant
Stem Cell and Biomaterial Lab (Chang Gung University)
09.2018 - 07.2020
- Developed a controlled delivery system for SDF-1α using a thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel to enhance adipose-derived stem cell therapy outcomes.
- Developed and optimized a combinatorial therapy using all-trans retinoic acid and temozolomide (TMZ)–loaded gold nanoparticles with ultrasound to target glioblastoma stem-like cells.
- Planned, modified and executed research techniques, procedures and tests.
- Contributed to professionally-written scientific paper for publication.
Intern
Taipei City Hospital
02.2016 - 04.2016
- Conducted healthcare and hospital data analysis to identify trends, optimize operations, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Utilized various professional statistical techniques and maintained large databases to collect and analyze data from partners and customers.
Education
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, USA05.2026
Master’s degree - biomedical engineering
Chang Gung University
Taoyuan, Taiwan07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science/Healthcare Administration
National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Taipei, Taiwan06.2016
Skills
- Analytical Thinking
- Data Analysis
- Detail-Oriented
- Animal Handling Experience
- Skilled in MRI Neuroimaging
- Quick Learner
- Organization
- Creative Problem-Solving
- Providing Feedback
- Teamwork
- Scientific Writing
- Cell Culture
- Communication
- Adaptability
- MATLAB
- ITK-SNAP
SELECTED PUBLICATION
- Siaka Fadera, Cristian Villas Boas, Yimei Yue, Zhaoning Gu, Jinyun Yuan, Debolina De, Buck Rogers, Richard Laforest, Arash Nazeri, Hong Chen. Focused ultrasound-enhanced nose-to-brain delivery of a therapeutic antibody in a large animal model. Theranostics (under peer-review)
- Jinyun Yuan, Lu Xu, Chih-Yen Chien, Yaoheng Yang, Yimei Yue, Siaka Fadera, Andrew H. Stark, Katherine E. Schwetye, Arash Nazeri, Rupen Desai, Umeshkumar Athiraman, Aadel A. Chaudhuri, Hong Chen, Eric C. Leuthardt. First-in-human prospective trial of sonobiopsy in high-grade glioma patients using neuronavigation-guided focused ultrasound. npj Precis. Onc. 7, 92 (2023)
- Siaka Fadera, Chinwendu Chukwu, Andrew H. Stark, Yimei Yue, Lu Xu, Chih-Yen Chien, Jinyun Yuan and Hong Chen. Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Delivery of Anti-Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Antibody to the Brain of a Porcine Model. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2479
- Siaka Fadera, Pin-Yuan Chen, Hao-Li Liu, I-Chi Lee. Induction Therapy of Retinoic Acid with a Temozolomide-Loaded Gold Nanoparticle-Associated Ultrasound Effect on Glioblastoma Cancer Stem-Like Colonies. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13, 28, 32845–32855
- Siaka Fadera, Nai-Chen Cheng, Tai-Horng Young and I-Chi Lee. In vitro study of SDF-1α-loaded injectable and thermally responsive hydrogels for adipose stem cell therapy by SDF-1/CXCR4-axis. J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020,8, 10360-10372
Timeline
Doctoral Candidate, Chen Ultrasound Lab
Washington University in St. Louis
08.2021 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
Stem Cell and Biomaterial Lab (National Tsing Hua University)
08.2020 - 07.2021
Graduate Research Assistant
Stem Cell and Biomaterial Lab (Chang Gung University)
09.2018 - 07.2020
Intern
Taipei City Hospital
02.2016 - 04.2016
Master’s degree - biomedical engineering
Chang Gung University
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science/Healthcare Administration
National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis