Joanne M. Fischer O'Hara

• Served as Biology Lead for preclinical pertussis RNA vaccine program, transitioning it from discovery to preclinical efficacy evaluation. Managed cross-functional teams and external collaborators to achieve yearly objectives, culminating in a co-first author publication in NPJ Vaccines • Operated as subject matter expert (SME) supporting multiple bacterial vaccine programs, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise to bacterial vaccine programs, including antigen selection, T cell assay development, and immunogenicity study design. Facilitated collaboration across teams to align T cell assay goals with overall program objectives • Led workstreams for IDR immunology initiatives, focusing on mRNA-based strategies to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses. Designed and executed intricate studies to evaluate the role of vaccine delivery routes on immune responses, and the impact of RNA-based strategies to reprogram immune responses • Identified external partners, including academic and government institutions, NPOs and CROs, and managed multiple external projects in parallel, designing preclinical studies, leading assay development, coordinating material transfers and interpreting data to support and drive program objectives • Facilitated presentations by external Key Opinion Leaders at internal seminars, strengthening partnerships with academic institutions • Developed and implemented intricate tissue processing protocols and assays for murine and NHP mucosal tissues, training team members to confidently run and analyze complex experiments • Collaborated with internal program stakeholders providing scientific guidance and feedback on vaccine antigen design, RNA construct screening, and vaccine formulation while ensuring alignment with program objectives and timely delivery of outcomes • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of vaccine literature to inform innovation strategies and decision-making • Contributed to discovery vaccine RNA antigen patent fillings

LABORATORY OF DR. RICHARD MALLEY • Led project to develop novel protocols to isolate and characterize murine nasal cells using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy approaches, in collaboration with Bruce Horwitz at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which enabled the elucidation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a candidate pneumococcal vaccine. Resulted in successful submission of an NIH grant, and publication in Mucosal Immunology • Managed a multi-disciplinary project to enable candidate Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) vaccine development and proof of concept (POC) studies using novel vaccine technology (Multiple Antigen Presenting System -MAPS). Selected candidate antigens through literature review, generated 20+ fusion proteins by cloning and recombinant protein purification methods and evaluated vaccine efficacy in mouse model of aerosolized MTB in collaboration with Eric Rubin at Harvard School of Public Health. Culminated in publication in mBio • Mentored junior staff, set project goals and timelines, and trained peers in animal handling techniques, facilitating successful grant submissions and publications

LABORATORY OF DR. NICHOLAS J. MANTIS Post-doctoral Research: • Assessed the impact of various adjuvants on immune responses to ricin vaccines, facilitating successful contract research collaborations with SRI International • Generated data enabling successful funding award of $1 million from the Department of Defense (DOD) • Implemented safety procedures and trained staff for handling Category B select agents (Ricin), ensuring compliance and preparedness for DEA audits

LABORATORY OF DR. NICHOLAS J. MANTIS • Identified key B cell epitopes on RTA through hybridoma technology and pepscan analysis, contributing to the development of effective Ricin vaccines and therapeutics • Conducted head-to-head preclinical ricin vaccine assessments using a mouse model of ricin intoxication, in collaboration with Soligenix and USAMRIID which identified a superior recombinant Ricin Toxin A-subunit (RTA) subunit vaccine, with findings published in Clinical Vaccine Immunology • Collaborated with multi-disciplinary external partners to develop and evaluate stable, efficacious next generation ricin vaccines by introducing structural and formulation modifications, with findings reported in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics and European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics • Screened and selected novel anti-ricin murine MAbs with prophylactic and therapeutic capability. Collaborated with MappBio Pharmaceuticals to evaluate humanized versions of MAbs in a mouse model. Enabled NHP POC studies, confirming similar efficacy, and advancing potential anti-ricin therapeutics • Led the development and evaluation of a library of 50+ anti-ricin monoclonal antibodies for use in ELISA-based toxin detection assays for the Department of Homeland Security • Established experimental design and hypothesis testing approach, and authored 3 papers that provided fundamental insight to MOA of anti-ricin mAbs • Mentored and trained junior staff and NSF-sponsored REU (research Experience for Undergraduates) students, designing projects and teaching immunology and laboratory techniques

• Developed an in vitro immunofluorescence assay for direct antigen detection of viral respiratory diseases and managed stability studies to establish product shelf life for clinical trials and FDA approval • Authored Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tech transfer to enable scalable production of new products

• Performed quality testing on antibodies and antigens for FDA-approved diagnostic assays, adhering to GMP and ISO laboratory standards • Managed production schedules, ensured audit readiness, and collaborated with quality compliance teams to implement corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) • Trained and supervised junior staff, ensuring efficient workflow and regulatory compliance