Min Lu

--Lead a group of 10 scientists and manage team activities on pre-clinical and translational studies. Build and oversee the entire fibrosis portfolio, composed of multiple programs for a variety of indications, ranging from organ fibrosis to cardiometabolic disorders. --Progressed lead optimization programs, delivered development candidates and IND package. --Responsible for research updates to advisory board, investors, and the Board of Directors. --Build translational platforms such as 3D organoid culture, precision cut lung and liver slices, and NHP PK/PD/biomarker studies to support human translation. --Liaison between the discovery team and clinical team to ensure program transition, engage scientific and clinical KOL, and outline early clinical development and biomarker strategy. --Participate in due diligence efforts to evaluate external assets. --Served as a member of the Joint Steering Committee for external collaborations. --Identified and developed talents into program leads and people managers.

-- Lab head. -- Responsible for target identification, validation, and lead identification to enable decision making. -- Biology lead for internal discovery programs (small molecule and large molecule) and liaison for external collaboration/partnership with academic investigators and biotech companies. -- Evaluated emerging technologies and scientific concepts to drive innovation. -- Organized consultant meetings for scientific input. -- Managed and mentored PhD and non-PhD scientists. -- Supported MoA studies and study reports for a phase 3 investigational drug.

-- Designed, executed and interpreted in vivo studies for the characterization and development of novel small molecule therapeutics and biologics for multiple research programs in the area of diabetes, obesity, heart failure, kidney failure, peripheral arterial diseases, and muscle disorders. -- Identified and evaluated targets for cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases. -- Conducted in vivo target validation, efficacy, mechanism of action, and PK/PD studies. -- Wrote preclinical reports for IND submission.

-- Explored and evaluated target space in therapeutic areas, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular indications, to strengthen the pipeline. -- Established appropriate cell, ex vivo, and in vivo models for peptide targets. -- Selected new programs to feasibility from in-house analysis and external collaboration. -- Worked closely with groups of other disciplines (DMPK, chemistry, and protein science) within the research unit, and external partners (academic collaborators) to progress the program.

-- Investigated key metabolic genes in central nervous system governing peripheral metabolism via hypothalamic insulin and leptin signaling, nutrient sensing, and autonomic nervous system. -- Studied integrative adipose tissue physiology in diabetes by investigating adipogenesis, beiging, glucose transport, lipogenesis, inflammation, and the influence of neuronal network. -- Other responsibilities include supervising research associates, revising animal protocols, providing in vivo training, and communicating with the animal care program and the IACUC.

-- Examined the role of circulating adipokine and tissue inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetes -- Assessed the efficacy of small molecule insulin sensitizers in in vivo models and primary cell system. -- Investigated the impact of energy metabolism on hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis.

-- Provided inpatient services at the department of general surgery. -- Handled and/or assisted operative cases covering a wide variety of specialties, including laparoscopic surgery, colon and rectal surgery, breast oncology, and bariatric surgery. -- Rotated at ambulatory clinic, outpatient surgery clinic, and emergency department.

Thesis topic: Regulation of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins by Hemodynamic Forces and Hormones: Implications of Lipid Metabolism in Vasculatures -- Delineated the effects of hemodynamic forces on endothelial lipotoxicity and dysfunction in relation to atherosclerosis. -- Demonstrated for the first time the significance of impaired lipid homeostasis in the endothelium as a cause of atherogenesis. -- Conducted mechanistic studies to map a novel phosphorylation site in a key transcription factor that mediates the negative modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism by glucagon.