Quentin Avila, Ph.D.
Technical Advisor, Chemistry
Quentin supports the firm through his expert knowledge and guidance in the field of chemistry and assists in preparing patent applications and various IP investigations.
Quentin has special expertise in small molecule design using in silico methods including molecular modeling, docking studies and molecular optimization and organic synthesis such as multistep synthesis, library generation and structural characterization. He has worked on a variety of drug discovery projects focused on addressing antibacterial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria and developing SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Organic Chemistry, University of Oklahoma
- Master of Science, Organic Chemistry, University of Oklahoma
- Master of Engineering, Chemical Engineering, SIGMA Clermont, France
Honors and Awards
- COVID-19-Related Rapid Response Research Seed Grant 2020
- Program Fellow, Oklahoma Catalyst Researchers 2018
Publications and Presentations
- Structure-Uptake Relationship Studies of Oxazolidinones in Gram-negative ESKAPE Pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2022
- A Multi-Approach Strategy to Improve the Spectrum of ClpP Activators, American Chemical Society, Spring 2019 National Meeting, Presenter
- Recent Advances Towards Rational Antibacterial Discovery Addressing Permeation and Efflux, Vol. 52, Medicinal Chemistry Reviews, 2017
Josephine Kebbeh Darpolor, Ph.D.
Technical Advisor, Immunology & Cell Therapy
Josephine (“Jo”) supports the firm through her expert knowledge and guidance in the fields of immunology and cell therapy. Jo’s technical expertise includes cell and gene therapy development and testing, proteins, RNA, next-generation sequencing library preparation, antibodies, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, western blots, cytokines, recombinant cytokines for functional in vitro and in vivo assays, in vitro and in vivo assay development, genetically engineered mouse model housing and husbandry. Jo’s areas of therapeutic expertise are in the fields of oncology, regenerative medicine, Covid-19, and HIV.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical and Translational Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth
- Bachelors of Science, Immunobiology, Brown University
Honors and Awards
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Washington University School of Medicine, 2021-2022
- NIH T32 Training Grant in Immunology, 2022
- Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2021
- Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship, 2020
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences TL1 Training Grant, 2020
- AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Travel Award, 2019
- American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2019
- National Cancer Institute Diversity Supplement, 2019
- Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2019
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Associative Learning Contributes to the Persistence of Fatigue-like Behavior in Male Mice in a Model of Cancer Survivorship, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2023
- Identification of Functional Heterogeneity of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts with Distinct IL-6 Mediated Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Functional Heterogeneity of CAFs, Cancer Discovery, 2022
- Comparative Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Delta and Alpha in New England, USA, Cell Reports Medicine, 2022
- SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Medical Journal, 2021
- STAT3 Inhibition Induces Bax-dependent Apoptosis in Liver Tumor Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells, Oncogene, 2018
- Identification of Functional Heterogeneity of Fibroblasts and Their Impact on Riot Immunity in Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care, American Association for Cancer Research, 2018, Speaker
John Nielsen
Technical Advisor, Mechanical Engineering
John supports the firm with his technical experience as a recent mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Houston. His education focused on problem-solving in the fields of mechanical technologies, new materials, engineering sensors and medical devices. John has knowledge in fluid mechanics, dynamics, materials, and thermal and mechanical systems.
John has wide-ranging experience in preparing and filing patent and trademark applications in the US Patent and Trademark Office. At the firm, John is also responsible for corresponding with foreign counsel on patent and trademark prosecution and monitoring international patent and trademark portfolios. In addition, John’s experience includes patent searching using third-party search engines and services and other database systems to support the firm’s intellectual property practice.
Education
- Bachelors of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
Honors and Awards
- The National Society of Leadership and Success, 2023
- William A. Brookshire Scholarship Award, 2022-2023
- Capstone Project, SLB Sponsor, Metal to Metal Galling Device, 2022-2023
- NCAA DIV II, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions, Men’s Swimming, 2017
- BSA Eagle Scout