Professional Summary
Translational scientist with 20+ years of experience at the intersection of neuroscience, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and rare disease, with deep expertise in biomarker discovery and development powered by multi-omics approaches. Recognized for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to translate biomarkers into clinical applications, supported by a robust portfolio of 90+ peer-reviewed publications, 13,000+ citations, h-index 54, and 16 granted patents.
Platform expertise spans multi-omics mass spectrometry (lipidomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) alongside immunoassay technologies (Olink, SomaLogic) and fit-for-purpose assay development. Adept at driving scientific innovation, fostering collaborations with key opinion leaders and CROs, and advancing drug programs from preclinical through clinical stages — with a consistent track record of turning data into decisions.
Relevant Experience
- Advised 20+ biotech and pharmaceutical clients on translational biomarker strategy, supporting IND-enabling programs, clinical biomarker frameworks, and multi-omics integration across neuroscience, metabolic, and rare disease indications.
- Built multi-omics laboratory capabilities and teams for clients from the ground up — including platform selection, instrument acquisition, assay development, and SOP development for mass spectrometry-based analytical labs.
- Provided end-to-end scientific leadership across experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and strategic planning for multi-omics biomarker programs.
- Identified and characterized biomarkers contributing to patent applications, peer-reviewed publications, and the advancement of proof-of-concept, exploratory, and clinical programs.
- Supported grant applications and manuscripts through experimental strategy, biomarker rationale, and data interpretation; advised on core-facility-style workflows including method standardization and QC practices.
- Pioneered lipidomics capabilities at the Lombardi Cancer Center, enhancing the institution's biomarker research in neurodegeneration, inflammation, and cancer.
- Co-authored 40+ peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters spanning lipidomics, metabolomics, and translational neuroscience; recipient of the New Investigator Research Grant NIRG-11-203674 from the Alzheimer's Association.
- Mentored undergraduate and graduate students; teach graduate-level course BCHB-596 Clinical Metabolomics — covering lipidomics, biomarker science, translational applications, and emerging technologies for biomarker discovery.
- Led end-to-end biomarker strategy for clinical-stage programs targeting lysosomal dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neuronal health — defining MOA, pharmacodynamic, and patient stratification endpoints using multi-omics and CSF/plasma biomarker panels.
- Identified disease-relevant biomarkers supporting indication expansion and exploration of new therapeutic areas; discovered markers of pathway engagement offering mechanistic insights into drug efficacy.
- Built and directed integrated multi-omics pipelines incorporating LC-MS/MS, Olink, and SomaLogic platforms for translational and clinical readouts.
- Functioned as the biomarker strategy lead within a matrixed organization, partnering closely with biology, pharmacology, and clinical teams to drive cross-functional alignment across FTD, Parkinson's, and lysosomal storage disorder programs.
- Managed assay development and validation programs ensuring regulatory readiness; oversaw CRO partnerships delivering high-quality translational datasets for governance submissions.
- Collaborated with external KOLs and published 2 peer-reviewed manuscripts; presented translational data at Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meetings.
- Reimagined the strategy for omics-based biomarker analysis, pioneering the development and implementation of 20+ biomarker panels across diverse diseases and biochemical pathways — including neurodegeneration, inflammation, microbiome, aging, oncology, and metabolic disorders — advancing a panel-based multi-omics approach to translational and clinical applications.
- Implemented strategic solutions for microbiome and multi-omics studies, functioning as scientific and technical liaison communicating complex content to diverse audiences across pharma, biotech, and academia.
- Orchestrated scientific publications strategy and presented 5+ webinars and publications, ensuring impactful dissemination of research findings across 20+ pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients.
- Founded and scaled the omics mass spectrometry function at a newly launched biotech — built from the ground up into a centralized multi-omics platform supporting 20+ programs across the full development pipeline.
- Led biomarker strategy advancing 6+ drug development programs to Phase 1/2, defining pharmacodynamic endpoints and patient stratification criteria adopted in clinical protocols.
- Contributed to the development of a CSF heparan sulfate surrogate endpoint incorporated into a regulatory approval — a concrete example of how rigorous biomarker science translates into clinical and regulatory impact.
- Coordinated multi-omics analysis across 20+ Denali programs (exploratory and pipeline), overseeing experimental design and analysis of 10,000+ biological samples.
- Led large-scale multi-omics analysis (lipidomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) of 350+ CSF, plasma, and urine samples from sporadic and LRRK2+ Parkinson's disease patients as part of the MJFF LRRK2 Cohort Consortium; dataset deposited in the public Consortium database and contributing to multiple publications.
- Operated in a matrixed organization, partnering closely with clinical, regulatory, discovery, and bioinformatics teams; led a team of 6+ scientists supporting multi-omics biomarker strategy across programs.
- Co-authored 8+ high-impact publications and co-invented 6 patents in translational neuroscience and rare disease.
- Established infrastructure, workflows, and scientific direction for lipidomics, metabolomics, and proteomics from the ground up; championed integration of omics-based approaches across all development phases.
- Advocated for emerging technology adoption and implemented risk mitigation frameworks for biomarker studies across early-stage programs.
- Promoted to Principal Scientist in recognition of scientific leadership and program impact.
- Managed worldwide programs for metabolomics and lipidomics, overseeing application development, new technology deployment, and 100+ scientific and business collaborations with KOLs across academia, pharma, and industry.
- Maintained in-depth competitive intelligence across the multi-omics and biomarker technology landscape, informing strategic positioning and identifying emerging opportunities in life sciences and biopharma markets.
- Co-invented 12+ patents and authored 20+ peer-reviewed publications alongside 40+ application notes, webinars, and technical communications in mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and lipidomics.
- Presented at 100+ scientific conferences; delivered 20+ invited oral communications internationally across pharma, academia, and nutrition sectors.
- Led development of novel metabolomics approaches using ion mobility mass spectrometry; served as scientific and technical liaison communicating complex content to diverse audiences.
- Led lipid biomarker programs for neurodegenerative, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders; established mass spectrometry facility from the ground up in a newly launched research institute.
- Directed multidisciplinary teams and delivered drug discovery milestones across neurodegeneration and inflammation; provided knowledge transfer in lipidomics and mass spectrometry.
- Established and directed the Agilent Technologies/UC Irvine Analytical Discovery Facility — a cutting-edge LC/MS core unit supporting lipidomics and metabolomics research across neuroscience, endocannabinoid biology, and metabolic disease.
- Co-authored 40+ peer-reviewed publications and co-invented 2 patents spanning lipidomics, endocannabinoid biology, and translational neuroscience.
- Mentored and managed 10+ scientists, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and Ph.D. students across a multidisciplinary research program.
- Concurrent R&D partnerships:
- Agilent Technologies — co-developed novel lipidomics solutions using state-of-the-art LC/MS instrumentation
- Kadmus Pharmaceuticals (early-stage biotech) — drug discovery targeting inflammation, hepatic steatosis, and obesity
- ACD/Labs — developed software tools for lipidomic data processing and annotation
- Initiated lipidomics and metabolomics capabilities in the Piomelli laboratory; developed and applied LC/MS-based methods to study endocannabinoid signaling, lipid mediators, and neurological disease models.
- Promoted to Project Scientist and appointed Director of the Analytical Discovery Facility in recognition of scientific contributions and platform-building leadership.
- Conducted research in the laboratory of Prof. Guido Franzoso; explored transcriptional factors governing apoptosis using molecular biology and tissue culture techniques. J-1 visa sponsored by the University of Chicago — first position in the United States.
- Investigated freshwater contaminants using LC/MS, GC/MS, and HPIC.
- Synthesized and evaluated nitro-catecholamine derivatives as potential inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase.
- Concurrent research partnership with Dermatological Hospital San Gallicano (Rome): contributed to discovery of novel inhibitors of Nitric Oxide Synthase.
- QC/QA roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing and food packaging: DSM Bulk Pharmaceutics (Capua) — developed SOPs and conducted quality audits in a GMP environment; Icimen Due Food Packaging (Marcianise) — quality control analysis using Gas Chromatography.
Education
Academic Teaching Experience
Grants & Awards
Professional Societies
Editorial & Reviewing Activity
Patents & Disclosures
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Complete list: PubMed · Google Scholar · ORCID
Book Chapters
Application Notes
Other Publications & Media
Webinars & Podcasts
Invited Talks
Short Courses
Major Conference Oral Communications
Conference Posters
86 poster communications at major international conferences. Selected highlights below; complete list available on Google Scholar.