Meet the 2019 July LOL Speakers

I am a Senior Research Investigator at Bristol Myers Squibb with over 15 years’ experience in Gene Therapy. I will provide an update on the current status of gene therapy with a particular focus on adeno-associated viral vectors at the 2019 Land O’ Lakes Conference on July 16th. I am excited to present this topic as gene therapies become another important modality for treating severe unmet disorders. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Glen Banks, PhD
Senior Research Investigator II
Bristol-Myers Squibb

I have over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. This includes pharma, an instrument company and CROs. Currently VP of Lab Strategy and Biomarkers with PPD where our focus is on Biomarkers, Cell and Gene Therapy and global growth of the organization. Looking forward to talking about Regulatory Aspects for Cell and Gene Therapy on Tuesday morning, July 16.

Patrick Bennett
Executive Director
Biomarker Lab, PPD

I will be talking about “Implementation of qRT-PCR Methods to Support PK/TK, Drug Mechanism of Action, and PD (mRNA knockdown) to Advance RNAi therapeutic Development” on Tuesday, July 16th.  I am really excited to be presenting. This topic is important because “the field of RNA interference has advanced enormously with the recent FDA approvals of therapies that use this mechanism”. I look forward to seeing you there.

Elena Castellanos-Rizaldos, PhD
Senior Scientist
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

I have worked in the in vitro diagnostics regulatory, quality, clinical trial and compliance areas for over 30 years. I will be talking about a case study for implementing strategies based on the recent FDA call for companion diagnostic tests for use with gene therapies. There are exciting and interesting developments in this area, moving from what has traditionally been secondary testing for antibodies to gene therapies to the more rigorous and regulated environment of a CDx. I look forward to seen all of you and answering your questions! 

Karen Richards, RAC
Senior Vice President
In Vitro Diagnostics and Quality, Precision for Medicine

I currently serve as the subject matter expert and technical leader for small molecule LC/MS/MS, supporting both preclinical and clinical development of the Eli Lilly portfolio. Tuesday afternoon (July 16) I will talk about Microsampling Technologies: Current Perspectives from Industry and Regulators. Don’t miss this important talk! 

Enaksha Wickremsinhe
Research Advisor
Eli Lilly and Company

I have a long-term interest in the development and application of mass spectrometry-based methods for biopolymer analyses. Protein post-translational modifications present challenges that are well matched by combining tailored dissociation methods with ion mobility separations of complex mixtures. I will be speaking Wednesday, July 17 at 10:30 on Ion Mobility Proteomics. Hope you join me there. 

Catherine Costello, PhD
Director, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry 
Boston University School of Medicine

I am responsible for the scientific aspects and development of NeoGenomics’ multiplexed immunofluorescence assay MultiOmyx™. Multiplexing methodology can help uncover the relationship between dozen of biomarkers thereby providing a more complete picture of the tumor microenvironment. I am excited to be presenting an integrated approach of protein multiplexing and PanCancer gene expression profiling of ovarian granulosa cell tumors for an in-depth analysis of the immune cell composition in this tumor type. An approach that could help guide the development of future immunotherapy-based therapy for this rare tumor type. I look very much forward to seeing you there.

Anna Juncker-Jensen, PhD
Scientific Liaison 
NeoGenomics Laboratories

I will be talking about the combination of laser capture microdissection with nanoPOTS sample preparation and ultrasensitive LC-MS for high-resolution profiling of protein expression across tissues. I am really excited to be presenting this topic as this technology greatly increases the spatial resolution with which proteomic analyses can be performed, extending to the single cell level. I look forward to seeing you there.

Ryan Kelly, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 
Brigham Young University

I am director of Bioanalytical and Biomarker Development at Takeda, focusing on biomarker and PK strategies and assays to support various programs across company’s portfolios.  I will talk about pharmacoproteomics and its applications in drug development on July 17th.  I am excited about this topic because proteomics is an emerging technique that can address many outstanding bioanalytical issues in drug development. I look forward to answering your questions.

Jiang Wu, PhD
Director, Bioanalytical and Biomarker Development
Takeda