Sydney Vollhardt

• Authored and implemented SOPs for the syngeneic platform, covering tissue harvesting/dissociation, immune cell isolation, cell FACS, virus production, transduction, and cell expansion
• Designed autoimmune disease mouse models for Ulcerative Colitis/IBD/Type 1 Diabetes in support of the Regeneron collaboration
• Presented key findings at internal company-wide meetings to showcase scientific impact and team contribution.

Associate Scientist, Treg Biology

• Isolated, expanded, and engineered human and mouse Regulatory T cells to enhance their function, stability, and persistence to better treat autoimmune diseases
• Implemented a gene editing platform to investigate endogenous loci for payload delivery, and evaluated both retroviral/lentiviral and non-viral (CRISPR) gene delivery methods
• Initiated a company-wide summer internship program and directly mentored and managed a direct-report

• Executed various IND enabling cell-based and biochemical assays (flow cytometry, MSDs/ELISAs/Activation Assays) to demonstrate efficacy of TriTACs (Tri-Specific T Cell Activating Construct) and provided support for CMC development
• Optimized conditions for multimedia demonstration of drug efficacy via live cell immunostaining and time-lapse microscopy

• Validated an HLA Class II- Restricted TCR to confirm proper alpha and beta chain pairing, recognition of antigen, and T cell activation in the presence of antigen.
• Optimized single cell cloning protocol for the discovery of reactive TCRs

• Thesis: Optimized seeding densities and immunostaining protocol for a 2D and 3D colorectal tumor model and measured colorectal tumors in 2D and 3D in a temporal study
• Taught undergraduate Cell and Molecular Biology lab, evaluated student work, provided feedback, guided lab techniques, and fostered enthusiasm for science

• Developed personalized fitness programs for clients based on their individual goals, needs, and abilities
• Maintained accurate records of client progress, including measurements, weight changes, strength gains, and other relevant data points

• Assisted in designing workouts and organizing practice sessions to support athletes' performance enhancement and injury prevention. Developed core strength training and flexibility routines. Athletes achieved conference title and ranked among top ten teams in state.

• Preserved and transferred algal samples from local reservoirs and calculated algal biomass via Shannon index. Engaged in field work to collect samples and monitor reservoirs