Highlights
- Leads coordination for 100+ researchers within the Target ALS Innovation Ecosystem, facilitating collaboration and scientific innovation.
- Provides strategic solutions to scientific challenges and connects researchers to critical resources, including Target ALS Research Cores.
- Oversees Independent Review Committee meetings and develops communications for both internal and external audiences to spotlight ALS research progress.
- Formerly contributed to neurodegenerative disease research, cell therapy development, and diagnostic advancements across prestigious institutions.
- Published extensively in top-tier journals, advancing understanding of neurobiology and therapeutic development.
Education
- Ph.D., Biology (Neurobiology focus), MIT, 2023
- Thesis: The heparan sulfate proteoglycan Perlecan regulates axonal and synaptic stability
- B.A., Cellular Neuroscience (minor in Creative Writing), Colgate University, 2013
Experience
- Scientific Programs Coordinator, Target ALS (2023–Present)
- Foster progress of 100+ researchers we fund with regular virtual and in-person meetings. Solve scientific challenges and connect them to resources, including Target ALS Research Cores.
- Source talented scientists new to our ecosystem.
- Establish collaborations between both new and existing Innovation Ecosystem scientists.
- Manage Independent Review Committee meetings.
- Author newsletters for our researchers and external communications for the broader ALS research community to highlight the scientific progress within the Innovation Ecosystem.
- Research Assistant/Lab Manager, Eggan Lab, Harvard University (2016–2018)
- Differentiated human iPSC lines into forebrain cortical neurons and neural progenitor cells and analyzed cell products using imaging, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing to study the 16p11.2 microdeletion, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and Zika virus infection
- Constructed a work plan for and advised on an oligodendrocyte cell therapy project for ALS
- Managed three tissue culture rooms and trained new lab members in sterile culture techniques
- Senior Research Technician, SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2014–2016)
- Manufactured GMP-grade midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuron progenitor cells for 2018 Investigational New Drug application and Phase I clinical trials to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD)
- Developed and optimized differentiation of GMP-grade mDA neuron progenitor cells from ESCs
- Created SOPs and Master Production and Control Records for use in GMP manufacturing
- Supervisor, Molecular Diagnostics, MedLabs Diagnostics (2013–2014)
- Performed diagnostic assays including Western blotting, genetic testing, and IVD nucleic acid amplification techniques on 100+ patients daily
- Prepared the laboratory for CLIA inspections
- Generated marketing materials for new diagnostic tests offered
Publications & Contributions
- Loss of the extracellular matrix protein Perlecan disrupts axonal and synaptic stability during Drosophila development, eLife, 2023, Ellen J. Guss, Yulia Akbergenova, Karen L. Cunningham, J. Troy Littleton
- Natural variation in gene expression and viral susceptibility revealed by neural progenitor cell villages, Cell Stem Cell, 2023, Michael F. Wells et al. including Ellen J. Guss
- The 22q11.2 region regulates presynaptic gene-products linked to schizophrenia, Nature Communications, 2022, Ralda Nehme et al., including Ellen J. Guss
- Biphasic Activation of WNT Signaling Facilitates the Derivation of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons from hESCs for Translational Use, Cell Stem Cell, 2021, Tae Wan Kim et al., including Ellen J. Hill
- Preclinical Efficacy and Safety of a Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Midbrain Dopamine Progenitor Product, MSK-DA01, Cell Stem Cell, 2021, Jinghua Piao et al., including Ellen J. Hill
- Genetic Ablation of AXL Does Not Protect Human Neural Progenitor Cells and Cerebral Organoids from Zika Virus Infection, Cell Stem Cell, 2016, Michael F. Wells et al., including Ellen J. Hill
Awards & Recognitions
- Trainee Professional Development Award, Society for Neuroscience (2021)
- MIT Biology Department Award for Excellence in Teaching, MIT (2020)
- Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2022–2023)
