James Hembach-Stunden

Investigating AI tools for the discovery and development of VHH and protein binders for the treatment of innate immune diseases.

- Designed, and implemented HTS assays, including tech transfer to CROs to discover novel potential medications. - Guided small molecule hit discovery at a third party CRO, including site visitation to ensure timelines were met, resulting in the delivery of ~500 hits on target. - Led hit validation, prioritising hits based on efficacy, MoA and toxicology, including research and design into novel fit-for-purpose assays, and identification of biological functions. - Managed risk analysis and assessment of protein-based therapeutics, including novel assay development and technology adoption for case-specific risks. - Wrote project proposals, including assay development, risk assessment, differentiation strategies, and therapeutic opportunities. - Instrumental in implementing new S2 working space, including equipment selection and procurement, workflow design and training.

- Brought new team up to speed on 2 projects, distributing knowledge, ensuring teams had tools to understand why decisions were made, and have the tools to make new decisions. - Managed small team to develop HTS assays, including the tech transfer to a CRO, including follow up consultation to ensure projects were completed up to a month ahead of schedule. - Led team to confirm hits from HTS campaigns, discover new starting materials for novel targets, including High Content Imaging and cellular screening. - Spearheaded the movement of operations from one lab to another location, including the layout of lab, equipment and reagents. - Onboarded new staff, training lab work or operations processes, distributing tasks.

- Worked in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, provided critical decision making and problem solving to ensure multiple projects progressed. - Supervised a team working on two concurrent projects, managing limited resources and ensuring that assays provided actionable results, driving decisions for directors. - Managed and created new cell lines for High Throughput Screening using CRISPR, retro/lentiviral GMO production, and clonal selection. - Transferred High Throughput Screening assays to external partners or CROs, including SOP writing. - Developed and updated assays to assess cross-species activity and biomarkers for new therapies currently in clinical trials.

- Researched targets, including cloning of constructs, cell culture, experimental design and execution, results analysis and presentation to determine novel activation methods of targets, readouts, and then implementation into a screenable format. - Prepared biological specimens and cells, including human and murine primary cells for assays to determine efficacy and toxicity of potential novel therapeutic compounds. - Managed and analysed data across 3 concurrent projects, presentation of analysis and results to drive decisions on project progression.

Medical Biotechnology