Empowering Drug Discovery and Structural Biology
- 20 Years of Strategic Leadership: Unites multidisciplinary teams for efficient, goal-driven research
- 400+ challenging protein structures: supporting drug discovery and medical research
- 5+ Patents and numerous innovations: Leadership in innovative technology and patent development
- 6 FDA IND filings: Supporting structural information for precision medicines targeting KRAS-G12D, JAK2-V617F, CalR, CDK2, and FGFR2
- 2 Automated Platforms Established: Scalable crystallography and Cryo-EM workflows boosting throughput
- 20+ Oncology Programs: Structural lead on precision oncology discovery projects
- AI-Integrated Design: Accelerating Lead Optimization with AlphaFold and RFdiffusion
2025 – Discovery of INCB159020, an Orally Bioavailable KRAS G12D Inhibitor
2024 – Discovery of (4-Pyrazolyl)-2-aminopyrimidines as Potent and Selective CDK2 Inhibitors
2022 – Discovery of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Wild-Type and Gatekeeper Mutant FGFR2/3
2018 – Structure–function analysis of the extended conformation of a polyketide synthase module
2017 – Validation of Protein–Ligand Crystal Structure Models: Small Molecule and Peptide Ligands
2017 – The Role of the Secondary Coordination Sphere in a Fungal Polysaccharide Monooxygenase
Innovating with Purpose
From day one, contributing to a team means pushing innovation beyond traditional limits. Using over twenty years of expertise in protein structure determination, lab automation, and AI-driven science, I cultivate a culture where tough challenges turn into opportunities for discovery. My practical approach to developing integrated platforms in X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM, and robotics speeds up project timelines and boosts scientific impact.
Cultivating Collaborative Excellence
Effective teams thrive on collaboration and mentorship. By establishing cross-functional workflows that unite structural biologists, medicinal chemists, and computational scientists, I ensure seamless data integration and rapid decision-making in the age of AI. Guiding early-career researchers through hands-on training in protein production and crystallographic methods nurtures future leaders, while automated crystal-harvesting robotics liberates scientists to focus on experimental design.
Accelerating Therapeutic Discovery
Precision oncology demands nimble, data-driven strategies. My leadership in Structure-Based Drug Design for the discovery of KRAS, CDK2, FGFR2/3, and V617F inhibitors underscores proficiency from target validation through preclinical optimization. By integrating AlphaFold, RFdiffusion, and ProteinMPNN for predictive modeling, I drive iterative cycles of hypothesis testing, reducing lead-candidate timelines by months.
Building Scalable Platforms
Sustainable drug discovery relies on reproducible, high-throughput pipelines. I have designed and implemented two comprehensive protein production and structure determination laboratories, incorporating automated crystallization, robotics-driven crystal harvesting, and streamlined Cryo-EM workflows. These scalable platforms supported multiple concurrent projects, enabling parallel fragment screening and rapid structural feedback loops.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Robust analytics transform raw data into insights. Utilizing advanced image-analysis algorithms and custom data-management tools, I optimize hit validation and prioritize compounds with the highest therapeutic potential. Real-time dashboards empower teams to track assay performance and structural resolution metrics, fostering transparency and continuous improvement.
Driving Impact with Vision
I bring not only deep technical acumen but a strategic mindset that aligns scientific objectives with organizational goals. By championing innovation, mentorship, and technology integration, I empower teams to exceed expectations and deliver transformative therapies.
| Concept | Description | Key Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Crystallography | Robotics-enabled crystal harvesting and screening to boost throughput | Building a Structural Biology Platform |
| AI-Driven Modeling | Integrating AlphaFold and RFdiffusion for predictive structure design | Recent projects using AI |
| Structure Validation | Ensuring accuracy of protein–ligand crystal models through rigorous analysis | Validation of Protein–Ligand Crystal Structure Models |
| Precision Oncology | Discovery and optimization of targeted cancer therapies | Pre-clinical Drug Discovery |
| Data Analytics | Real-time dashboards for structural and assay data monitoring | R/Shiny, and Project Management |