Alistair Wilson
San Diego
Summary
Dedicated researcher with 30 years of R&D experience with a focus on running in vivo studies to advance novel therapies for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. I am hard working, organized, detail-oriented, and a team player. My goals are to help translate promising treatments into clinical development, learn in the process, and promote a safe, productive, and positive work environment. Outside of work, I enjoy making music, hiking, gardening, and fermenting things.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Surgical Scientist
BrainXell Therapeutics, Inc.
San Diego
03.2023 - Current
- In vivo safety/efficacy of autologous stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s Disease and Spinal Cord Injury
- Stereotaxic surgery in immunocompromised rats (brain and spinal cord injection, 6-OHDA lesion, laminectomy/SCI contusion)
- Behavioral analyses (amphetamine rotation, open field BBB)
- Dose administration (IP, SC, IM), bloodwork, perfusion/necropsy
- Histology (cryostat sectioning, free-floating and slide mounted IF, IHC, H&E, microscopy/stereology)
- Ex-vivo testing of clinical delivery systems
- ELN, data management, statistics, facilities/vivarium operations
- Authored IND-enabling study reports
- Lead for one Associate Scientist
Senior Research Associate II
ViaCyte/Vertex, Inc.
San Diego
10.2021 - 03.2023
- In vivo safety/efficacy of allogeneic stem cell therapies for insulin-dependent diabetes
- Transplantation and survival explant surgeries in immunocompromised and diabetic rats (subcutaneous devices, portal vein infusion)
- Dose administration (IP, IV, IM, SC, PO), blood draws, and necropsy in rats
- ELISA, IVIS
- Point person for vivarium operations, controlled substances, SOPs, IACUC
Associate Scientist
Locanabio, Inc.
San Diego
08.2019 - 10.2021
- CRISPR-based RNA-targeting gene therapies for Huntington’s disease, ALS, myotonic dystrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, Usher syndrome
- Mouse stereotaxic injections into striatum, cerebellum, ICV, CSF, and subpial space
- Mouse intravitreal and subretinal injections, also IM, IV injections and CSF collection
- In-life assessments (FOB, Rota-rod, DigiGait, grip strength, IVIS)
- Perfusion/necropsy, tissue microdissection, RNA and DNA extraction
- IF, RNAscope
- Vivarium operations (incl. breeding colony management, IACUC writing, safety compliance)
Senior Research Associate II
ViaCyte, Inc.
San Diego
01.2010 - 08.2021
- Same scope as previously described, with additional work in mouse models (SC and epididymal fat pad implants, retro-orbital bleeds…)
Principal/Senior Research Associate
Ceregene, Inc.
San Diego
01.2002 - 01.2010
- AAV2 gene therapies for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma
- Rat surgeries: stereotaxic (brain & spinal cord), intravitreal and subretinal injections
- Perfusion/necropsy, cryostat and frozen sliding microtome sectioning, IF, IHC, ELISA
- Microscopy incl. stereology and ImageJ analyses
- Supervised two RAs and served as Chemical Hygiene Officer
- Contributing author for two IND filings that resulted in Phase 1 and 2 trials for PD and AD programs
Research Associate II-III
Miravant, Inc.
Santa Barbara
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Photodynamic therapy for cardiovascular disease (restenosis)
- Rat carotid and femoral artery catheterization, IHC, microscopy
- Screened hundreds of laser/drug combinations
- Lead surgeon for safety/efficacy/PK studies; assisted with rabbit and pig studies
Laboratory Assistant I-III
Neuroscience Research Institute, UCSB
UCSB
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Basic research to identify lipid abnormalities in multiple sclerosis
- Screened novel drugs on myelin formed in culture and isolated from human white matter
- Microdissection of neonatal rat cerebellum, primary tissue culture, ICC, radioactive labeling (35S)
- GC, HPLC, confocal, and atomic force microscopy
- Supervised 3 lab technicians and developed protocols
Education
Biostatistics -
UCSD Extension
San Diego, CA01.2004
B.A. - Biology; Senior Thesis in Molecular Biology
Reed College
Portland, OR01.1996
Skills
- Surgical techniques
- In vivo testing (rats and mice)
- Histology, microscopy, ELISA
- Lab and data management
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Fluent in French
References
- Maria Daniela-Cirnaru (Daniela), PhD, Director, Translational Biology, current supervisor at BrainXell, (347) 570-5303, mdcirnaru@brainxelltx.com
- Eugene P. Brandon, PhD, Chief Development Officer, former supervisor at Ceregene; former co-worker at BrainXell, (858) 380-7787, ebrandon6@gmail.com
- Evert J. Kroon, PhD, Senior Director, Research Physiology, former supervisor at ViaCyte, (858) 455-3757, ekroon@viacyte.com
- Ranjan (Ron) Batra, PhD, Vice President, R&D, former supervisor at Locanabio, (352) 222-9209, ranjanbatra@locanabio.com
Publications
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alistair_Wilson
Timeline
Senior Surgical Scientist
BrainXell Therapeutics, Inc.
03.2023 - Current
Senior Research Associate II
ViaCyte/Vertex, Inc.
10.2021 - 03.2023
Associate Scientist
Locanabio, Inc.
08.2019 - 10.2021
Senior Research Associate II
ViaCyte, Inc.
01.2010 - 08.2021
Principal/Senior Research Associate
Ceregene, Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2010
Research Associate II-III
Miravant, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.2002
Laboratory Assistant I-III
Neuroscience Research Institute, UCSB
01.1996 - 01.1998
Biostatistics -
UCSD Extension
B.A. - Biology; Senior Thesis in Molecular Biology
Reed College