Yi Zhao

A highly-motivated Ph.D. Drug discovery scientist with 20 years of industry and academic research experiences across multiple therapeutic areas including metabolic diseases, cancers, dermatological diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, immuno-oncology and viral disorders. • Demonstrated leadership in science. Proven ability to direct teams of scientists and work with multi-disciplinary teams in drug pre-clinical and clinical development. Playing a key role in project teams to successfully advance multiple drugs into IND submission and Phase1/2 human clinical trials. • Demonstrated excellent scientific skill as shown in publication of original research articles and in presentation of research results in scientific conferences. • Demonstrated ability to think strategically, design and direct original research. • Strong experience in working/coordinating with other biologists, chemists, consultants, and CROs for drug development. • Solid and broad knowledge of molecular/cellular biology, biochemistry, signal transduction, oncology, immunology, DMPK, and formulation development. • Strong hands-on experience in method development and validation and in trouble shooting for solving problems in laboratory. Expertise in assay development and validation, including in vitro assays (SPA, ELISA, FRET, and FP) and cell-based assays (nuclear receptor transactivations, cellular enzymatic and signaling assays). • Strong analytic skills, good understanding of various kinds of laboratory instruments (HPLC, FPLC, Real-time PCR, Victor, Fusion, Microbeta, Flow Cytometry, etc.). • Extensive experience in setup of animal PK/PD models and biomarker analysis of animal tissues. • Extensive experience in formulation developments for topical, oral, intravenous, Intraperitoneal, subcutaneous dosing formulations.