Rucha Deo

•Led strategic and scientific initiatives for a novel plasma-derived therapeutic, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to drive program success and secure IP protection. •Developed project frameworks including decision trees, Go/No-Go criteria, and timelines to support risk-based prioritization and resource allocation. •Delivered insights and recommendations to guide program direction through clear, data-driven proposals and reports used by senior leadership. •Acted as scientific lead for in vitro strategy, designing patient-derived models to generate decision-driving data aligned with clinical and business objectives. •Validated therapeutic targets through high throughput screening approaches, optimizing workflows to accelerate key milestones. •Communicated complex findings effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, including executive leadership and representation at the Gordon Research Conference.

•Conducted extensive literature searches and synthesized cross-functional data to evaluate novel targets, directly informing early-stage pipeline prioritization and R&D strategy. •Designed and implemented scalable 96-well assay platforms across diverse cell types (primary, iPSC-derived, endothelial), enabling high-throughput target validation and data-driven program decisions. •Established age-stratified myoblast isolation protocols, enabling comparative studies for age-related indications. •Led multi-color (5-color) flow cytometry assay development in primary endothelial cells, enhancing analytical power for vascular target screening. •Trained and onboarded new lab members; streamlined workflows and assay protocols to reduce hands-on time and improve reproducibility across the team.

•Led high-throughput imaging and assay development using the Thermo CX7 platform, improving data acquisition speed and assay robustness across CNS programs. •Developed a 3-color flow cytometry–based functional assay using primary microglia to assess neuroinflammatory response, supporting target validation efforts. •Executed high-content imaging assays with primary neurons and oligodendrocytes to generate rich, multiparametric data for neurodegeneration models.

• Studied muscular dystrophy in mice histology, Western blots and qPCR • Explored the effect of clock genes on metabolism in mice and cell lines by histology, ICC, Western blots and qPCR • Training and orientation for 4 new lab members • Mentored 1 college intern and 2 high school interns • Managed mouse colonies, inventory and overall lab maintenance

Thesis Title: Establishing Maternal Embryonic Leucine-Zipper Kinase (MELK) as a novel target in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). • Cultured and maintained various leukemia cell lines • Conducted mechanistic studies in cells with overexpression and RNA knockdown to elucidate a molecular signaling pathway for anticancer drug

Project: Establishing Monoamine Oxidase A as a novel target for the treatment of glioblastoma. •Cell culture and cell based assays using immortalized cell lines •Tissue collection and subsequent IHC and enzyme activity testing

Work as a clinical pharmacist involved filling out prescriptions, patient counseling, stock inventory. Part of back-end management of the medical store like documentation, formulating standard operating procedures.

•Trained in the production and purification of bacterial vaccines and anti-toxins. •Trained in the production and purification of sera and anti-venoms. •Trained in the quality management and quality assurance techniques related to immunological products. •Trained in WHO labeling and regulatory standards for immunological products. •Trained in the back-end management areas like documentation, dispatching and supply chain.