Lora Waybright

Preclinical Manager @ Avista Therapeutics

About

I graduated from Allegheny College with a double major in Neuroscience and International Studies in May of 2017. Following graduation, I worked for the innovative biotechnology company Cognition Therapeutics in Pittsburgh, PA for five years, using proprietary biology and chemistry platforms to discover novel drug targets and disease modifying therapies for disorders of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer's. After working as a Project Manager at the University of Pittsburgh with Dr. Leah Byrne's lab, an innovative lab developing gene therapies for inherited retinal disease, I transitioned to working full-time at Avista Therapeutics, a new startup company developing gene therapies for retinal diseases using proprietary AAV vectors. I am passionate about Avista's approach to generate proprietary AAV vectors, and rapidly translating these new gene therapies to the clinic!

Country

United States

City

Pittsburgh

Industry

Biotechnology

Skill

CPR Certified, Wilderness First Aid, First Aid Training, German, Event Planning, Microsoft PowerPoint, Influential Communicator, Leadership, Microsoft Office, Tenacious Work Ethic, Public Speaking, Group Dynamics, Team Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Supervisory Skills, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Research, Data Analysis, Neuroscience, Scientific Writing

Experience

Preclinical Manager

Avista Therapeutics

2024-9 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Consultant

Avista Therapeutics

2022-10 - 2024-9 · 2 yrs

Pittsburgh, PA

Project Manager

University of Pittsburgh

2022-10 - 2024-9 · 2 yrs

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Senior Research Associate

Cognition Therapeutics, Inc.

2020-3 - 2022-10 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Project manager of external academic collaborations and CROs, executing RNAseq, proteomic, and metabolomics projects to generate novel hypotheses and actionable data to further the drug development pipeline in a timely manner. Facilitates contracts, negotiates quotes, ensures action items are completed and timelines met to further company scientific objectives. Contributor to company biomarker team – generates pathway and network enrichment analyses with Metacore software. Assists with literature searching, graphing of target engagement and disease modification biomarker candidates, and proposes hypotheses to develop preclinical experimental plans. Manages data QC process and data uploads, as well as sample and tube inventory for domestic and international shipments. Trains and supervises several employees in lab techniques, data analysis, and project development to become valuable contributors to the lab team

Research Associate

Cognition Therapeutics, Inc.

2017-10 - 2022-10 · 5 yrs 1 mo

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Key contributor to a scientific research team discovering drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Assists with maintaining the company’s tissue culture facility, culturing and maintaining quality control in primary neurons, and executing compound screens according to prescribed protocols, as well as statistical analysis of complex screening data. Presents data to company scientists and assists in the development of new assays and experiments, in addition to assisting with general laboratory management tasks. Technical expertise in compound screening, automated liquid handling systems and standard detection technology (plate readers, imagers).

Assistant Director

The Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania

2016-5 - 2016-8 · 4 mos

Mt. Gretna, PA

Managed a staff of twenty counselors and coordinated the logistics of camp trips and excursions Provided weekly programming for campers from kindergarten to high school age and instructed campers in a variety of outdoor activities, including proper technique and safety measures for white-water kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, and other activities

Intern

Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training

2015-5 - 2015-7 · 3 mos

Conducted and took part in interviews with retired Foreign Service Officers for the Oral History Archives, researched the archives to create "Moments in U.S. History" for the ADST website, and edited manuscripts for the organization's book publications

Education

Allegheny College

2013 - 2017 · 4 yrs

Tecnológico de Monterrey

2016 - 2016

Proposed a startup project for an economics course and toured numerous businesses in the city of Querétaro Interpreted Latin American literature and studied Mexican culture and Spanish phonetics