After spending the first part of my career as a research scientist in Chemistry and Materials Science, I was ready for something new and looking for the next challenge in a growth industry. The booming biotechnology sector in the Bay Area seemed like not only a great growth industry but also offered multiple opportunities to improve the lives of others and the environment. I initially took some online biotechnology courses during the pandemic, but really wanted to gain some hands-on lab experience and found that the CCSF Biotechnology program was running a hybrid approach with in-person lab classes. I jumped at the chance to get back into the lab and learn new methods while exploring this new field to find my niche. The program has allowed me to learn some molecular biology that is at the basis of the processes I'd like to work with and exposed me to opportunities to connect to those working in the field. I'm hoping to leverage this hands-on experience and expanded network to find an industry position in bioprocessing or related chemistry research/manufacturing sectors.

My internship work at CODA Biotherapeutics has focused on improving drug treatments of neurological disease using receptor engineering. I was involved in researching how changes to the structure of membrane proteins can tune the body's response: attenuating it in the presence of the natural neurotransmitters and amplifying it when exposed to pharmaceutical treatments. To do this, I employed recombinant DNA cloning techniques in order to produce altered protein structures in specific locations on the receptor, targeting binding locations specific to each drug. Modifying the structure of the proteins adjusts the amount of cell response to the small molecules that bind to them, tailoring the efficacy of the drug treatment. CODA has been systematically working through documenting the changes in receptor response from these protein alterations, confirming membrane models and improving predictive capabilities. My internship work contributed to building this database of information. Many chronic health problems have poor treatment options, either limited to small patient subsets or riddled with side effects. CODA’s approach has the potential to create novel tailored medical treatments with both increased efficacy and decreased side effects for a variety of health issues.

I’m excited to be taking the next steps in leveraging these new skills and contacts in biotech to build the next stage of my career in a growth industry. I am looking forward to making an impact in improving the lives of others and the environment.