Pratibha Singh

Associate Director, In vivo pharmacology, Ampersand biomedicines @ Ampersand Biomedicines

About

Professional Summary: -Team leader with in vivo pharmacology experience across CAR-based, stem cell–based, iPSC-derived cell therapies, and antibody therapeutics. -Drive cross-functional preclinical programs from concept to candidate selection while mentoring scientists and fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture. -Committed to continuous learning and teamwork, with firm belief that diverse learning, effective team work (collaboration) drive the scientific innovation and organizational success. In Vivo Pharmacology: -Lead internal/external efforts to build the in vivo pharmacology pre-IND package and establish PK/PD/efficacy relationships. -Actively involved in study design and strategy for pre-IND GLP safety/toxicology in small and large animal models. -Conduct in vivo studies supporting toxicology species selection and GLP package de-risking and to validate new targets and inform go/no-go decisions. -Identify and prioritize relevant disease models; execute studies in-house or via CROs using predictive biomarkers. -Design and run PK/PD and efficacy studies to inform dosing, species selection, and development strategy. -Extensive hands-on experience with humanized, syngeneic, allogeneic, xenograft models, IBD, NEC, fibrosis, and 3D organoids. Cross-Functional: -Coordinate with protein sciences and functional biology to characterize constructs, evaluate in vitro pharmacology, and prioritize candidates for in vivo studies. -Work with functional biology team to analyze tissue samples by IHC and IF for PK, and PD in on-and off-target tissues. Bioanalytical Assay Development: -Lead BA assay development for fit-for-purpose PK assays for proprietary molecules. -Develop and optimize serum PK assay for in vivo studies in NHP and mouse; transfer methods to CROs for GLP studies. -Collaborate with protein sciences to develop ADA and NAb assays. Leadership and team managment: -Lead and manage a team of four (Senior Scientists, Senior Research Associate, Associate Scientist). -Train staff in in vivo techniques and communicate project updates to the leadership. -Established in-house vivarium operations and authored IACUC protocols. Translational & Clinical Research: -Supported translational and early clinical research by evaluating an enteral lipid supplement in preterm piglets and analyzing cytokines, bioactive factors, and acetaminophen metabolites in maternal breast milk. -Analyzed GC/MS-derived fatty acid profiles for multicenter studies and managed a clinical sample repository (breast milk, urine, stool).

Country

United States

City

Greater Boston

Industry

Research

Skill

Teamwork, PK/PD in drug discovery, Leadership, Immunology,, Cell Culture, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Biology, Western Blotting, ELISA, PCR, Biochemistry, Gel Electrophoresis, Immunohistochemistry, Project Management, Immunology, Mouse husbandry, Animal Husbandry, Cell Biology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Adobe Indesign

Experience

Associate Director, In vivo pharmacology, Ampersand biomedicines

Ampersand Biomedicines

2024-3 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Associate Director I Pre-clinical research I Cell Therapy I Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering

2023-9 - 2024-3 · 7 mos

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Senior Scientist, Pre-clinical discovery platform, Cell therapy, Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering

2021-10 - 2023-8 · 1 yr 11 mos

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School

2015-7 - 2021-10 · 6 yrs 4 mos

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Early postnatal mucosal immunology, inflammation, and injury-   Exploring the priming effect of postnatal fatty acid changes on mucosal immunity and gut barrier development. Investigating the critical role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on intestinal inflammation, injury, and morphogenesis using FAT-1 transgenic murine model. Developed gastrointestinal 3D organoids system to explore regulatory mechanism of necrotizing enterocolitis. Performed bioenergetics studies to evaluate the cellular metabolic state in response to extracellular signals and nutrient availability using Seahorse XF Analyzers. Investigating complex innate and adaptive immune landscape during early postnatal gut development. Identifying key signaling pathways perturbed in host priming of the preterm infant, in particular DHA/AA deficiency and it’s impact on TCR and BCR clonal diversity, macrophage, dendritic cells, innate lymphoid cells prevalence, and distribution in the gut.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

2014-9 - 2015-4 · 8 mos

Greater Boston Area

Investigated the regulation of inflammatory response in corneal infection induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studied the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) on biofilm formation using Microtiter Dish Biofilm Formation Assay. These traps are released in an active process of NETosis, a specific response to environmental triggers, and their main biological function is to catch bacterial pathogens. If the clearance of the ETs is compromised and delayed, they contribute to bacterial capture and microcolony formation.

Doctorate in Biomedical Science and Pharmaceutical

GIGA- Research, University of Liège, Belgium

2008-5 - 2013-8 · 5 yrs 4 mos

Immunology and Infectious disease unit

Investigated the role of the Vaccinia-H1 related (VHR) dual-specificity protein phosphatase in regulation of macrophage polarization in LPS and CLP-induced sepsis. (Collaborator: Prof. Claude Libert, UGent, Belgium) Demonstrated preclinical activity of RIAD fusion protein in augmenting TCR-activated signaling, enhancing T cell effector function, and reducing cAMP-mediated suppression of T cell function. (Collaborator: Prof. Kjetil Tasken, Center Director, Biotechnology Center of Oslo, Norway). Explored physiological role of the DUSP3 as a novel mediator of neovascularization in subcutaneous syngeneic and lung metastasis mice model in a macrophage-dependent manner. Participated in a preclinical study to assess the efficacy of RIAD-P3 peptidomimetic in limiting HIV-1 replication by mechanisms involving cAMP/PKA-I pathway in HSCs engrafted humanized NSG mouse model. Demonstrated preclinical efficacy of minocycline in reinvigorating exhausted T cells in chronic HIV-1 replication.

Research Intern

Parasitology Division, Central Drug Research Institute

2004-10 - 2008-3 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Lucknow, India

In vitro cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum and screening of antimalarial compounds. Evaluated the antimalarial activity of natural products using conventional and microfluorimetric methods. Studied the effects of modified medium supplemented with ALBUMAX11 and various animal sera on parasite growth. Perfromed in maintenance of in vitro culture of P. falciparum and screening of antimalarial compounds.