Introduction – Brenda
Q: Tell me a bit about yourself
Hello! My name is Brenda and I grew up in Montgomery County Maryland. I spent a lot of my weekends visiting DC going to museums and visiting monuments nearby. The National Museum of Natural History is where I first fell in love with research and it helped shape a lot of my interests and career path. The exhibits and stories they told sparked my curiosity for science and discovery. When I visit home to see my younger siblings and cousins I always take them and hopefully inspire them to be future researchers as well.
I recently made a big move from San Francisco to New York in the winter of 2022. While I miss the predictable weather and proximity to the beach, I am excited to join the fast-paced culture and food scene in New York. One of my passions is cooking and I find experimenting in the kitchen can be very similar to experimenting in the lab. With all of the diversity of cuisines in New York, I am sure I will be inspired to learn new recipes while living here.
Q: Why did you decide to join Humane Genomics?
What excites me most about Humane Genomics is the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge genomic technologies to advance our knowledge of oncolytic viruses. I believe we have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and make significant impacts on targeted cancer treatment. It is exciting to be able to contribute to their mission in creating safe and reliable therapies to all those who need it.
Another reason why I joined is because of the team. The company culture is built around collaboration and innovation and Humane Genomics has a great group of friendly and motivated people who share my passion for research and genomics. I am happy to be a part of a company where I am excited about the mission and work next to people I admire.
Q: Why is your background a great fit?
My first exposure to genomics and sequencing was as an intern in college at the NIH. Since then, I have chosen to work in this field throughout my academic and professional career. Through my previous work experience in government organizations, academia, and biopharmaceuticals I have gained a lot of practical expertise in genomic data analysis and DNA sequencing in research laboratory settings.
Since genomics has always interested me, I enjoy researching the latest technologies to stay up to date in the field. Humane Genomics encourages innovation and creativity so it is great to be in an environment where trying new things is appreciated.
Q: What is your role and what are you working on?
As a Research Associate at Humane Genomics I support the engineering of synthetic viruses through transfection, amplification, and validation using next generation sequencing technologies. I help in biomanufacturing by maintaining healthy and oncolytic cell lines.
Q: What are you most excited about?
Humane Genomics is a company that is dedicated to using cutting-edge genomic technologies to advance oncolytic therapies. I am excited about moving our newly synthesized viruses into mouse models and becoming a few steps closer to revolutionizing targeted cancer treatment. What we learn this year will help the industry gain new insights into the human genome, ultimately leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases for all.