ELENA I. MARUSICH, Ph.D.

30 E Rudderow Ave, Apart. 37, Maple Shade, NJ 08052

215-872-0287 (cell), em8e9880@westpost.net

SENIOR RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR Driving by 15+ Years of Broad Scientific Skills and
Experience
In Service to Human Health Care in the Field of Biomedical Research

Antiviral Drug Development * Anti-HIV/AIDS Therapeutics * Reporter Gene Assays *

Cell-Based Assays
* Recombinant Virus Construction & Production * Combinatorial Therapy * Cytokine
s * Signal Transduction
* Apoptotic Signaling * Protein Chemistry, Function & Validation * Protein Chrom
atography, Crystallization & Production
* Bioreactor Technology * Proteomics * Real Time PCR Technology * Genome Sequenc
e * Molecular Cloning Technique
* Cell Lines Propagation and Development * Bioinformatics * Sophisticated Instru
mentation * BL-3 Level Authorization
* Group Leader * Team Player * Operations & Laboratory Management * Overseen Per
sonnel * GLP & GMP Regulations
* Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturing

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
* Award-winning Molecular Virologist with strong portfolio of successful orchest
rating of multiple biomedical research projects with expertise in Viral Vector T
echnology, Targeted Genes Delivery, Optimization of Bioassay Platforms, and Deve
lopment of Anti-Viral Drugs/Molecules against infectious diseases with focus on
HIV/AIDS cure.
* Adept independent scientist with proven record of scientific achievements thro
ugh the number of publications in a highly regarded scientific journals and pre
sentations at international professional conferences.
* Highly productive, creative and resourceful in managing multiple research grou
p/ projects with excellent team work abilities.
* Superb mentor, inspirational leader that inspires employees to maintain peak p
erformance and productivity levels in high-pressure situation while simultaneou
sly maintaining high morale across the broad.
* Competent problem-solver with exceptional commitment to quality, and communica
tion, negotiation, and persuasion skills, able to work in the diverse workspace
.
* Excellent in study design, and GLP/GMP, SOP and client specific protocol devel
opment.
* Technical guru experienced in computer technology, and in virology, molecular
biology, cell biology, proteomics and genomics.
* Boneless energy, capable of adapting a number of roles simultaneously, swift a
nd embrace change readily.
* Multi-lingual-fluent in English and Russian.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA 2001-Present
Research Associate
Primarily leadership role of research investigator in several NIH sponsored and
privately funded projects in highly successful and recognized premier medical re
search institutions. Drive performance in high quality research for gene therape
utics development, molecular virology and assay systems with strong focus on ant
i-HIV treatment.
Major Contributions:
* Established Expertise in Genetic Therapy Applications against HIV-1 Infections
: Lead multiple projects to develop Simian Virus 40 (SV40)-, and Spleen Necrosis
Virus (SNV)-based viral vector systems to deliver specific anti HIV-1 therapeut
ics. Evaluated in different models in vitro the efficiency of variety of HIV tar
gets to inhibit HIV replications.
* Designed and Managed Anti-HIV Therapeutics Development: Showed effectiveness o
f anti-HIV transgenes such as caffeine, integrase single chain antibody (SFv IN)
, reverse transcriptase (RT), CCR5 co-receptors, antioxidant enzymes, siRNA gene
targeting for mitigating HIV infection. Discovered a novel-signaling pathway in
HIV induced Tat-, and gp120-apoptosis.
* Proved Potency of Anti-HIV Genetic Therapeutics for Future Clinical Applicatio
ns: Executed pre-clinical testing of effectiveness and safety of the number of a
nti-HIV genetic drugs. Developed several enzymatic-based cellular assays to prov
e studied drug efficiency. Evaluated efficacy of anti-HIV targets in nonhuman pr
imate (NHP) models of AIDS.
* Assisted Several Grants Applications: Created numerous scientific data credibl
e for NIH RO1 grants applications. Published generated research results in 4 pee
r-reviewed scientific journals and presented at 11 conferences and symposiums, w
rote another 4 manuscripts submitted for publication.
* Laboratory Management and Mentoring Personnel: Trained graduate students and t
echnical laboratory personnel of safety use of laboratory equipment and tools. S
upervised research staff in their own scientific projects implementation. Manage
d relationship with vendors to order best supplies to minimize laboratory cast.
Accomplished Graduate School Course in Research Management.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, NIAMS, Bethesda, MD 1997-2000

Visiting Fellow, Fogarty International Society Award Recipient
Major Contributions:
* Set up and Accomplished Multitask Projects: Identified the alternative resourc
es of bacteriophages suitable for protein expression to pursue their successful
future crystallization. Generated stocks of different bacteriophages to be used
for molecular cloning. Created a library of genomic DNAs isolated from generated
phage stocks. Designed a serious of protein expression constructs for testing i
n E. coli and Baculovirus expression systems. Investigated the biochemistry and
functions of recombinant proteins. Generated data were published in peer-reviewe
d journal and presented at 2 scientific conferences.
* Advanced and Developed New Methods and Procedures: Defined and successfully im
plemented a new procedure for protein purification to increase the level of prot
eins purity. Set up and implemented a manufacturing level of bacterial fermentat
ion procedures.
* Provided the Material Resources for Collaborative Project Accomplishment: As a
team player of multidisciplinary research group supplied to other team members
purified recombinant proteins for their future X-Ray crystallography and structu
ral study.
* Implemented State-of-the-Art Technologies: Utilized the cutting-edge robot sys
tems for screening and optimization of protein crystallization conditions. Famil
iarized with variety of extremely precise methods of protein crystallization. Us
ed a large-scale column chromatography and HPLC purification techniques to incre
ase the level of protein purity suitable for crystallization purposes. Establish
ed and applied a cross-linking and protein-protein interaction techniques to ide
ntify biochemistry and functions of recombinant proteins.

EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE, Olympia, WA 1995-1996

Visiting Researcher in Molecular Biology
Major contributions:
* Anticipated International T4 Phage Project: As an International T4 Phage Study
Group member generated new sequence data of T4 phage head and tail genes. Suppo
rted study of mapping of region of extremely early promoters within T4 phage gen
ome.
* Contributed into Genomics Projects: Studied the fundamental problems of struct
ural-functional relationship among host and bacteriophage T4 proteins responsibl
e for shutoff of host bacterial synthesis. Cloned T4 genes from the new T4 phage
region into E. coli expression system and studied their functions. Generated da
ta were published in peer-reviewed journal and presented at 2 scientific meeting
s and conferences.
* Project Management: Taught the graduate students at Evergreen State College of
molecular biology laboratory course and trained them of safety equipment using.
Directed daily laboratory activities of graduate students to implement curricul
um course "From Molecule to Organism". Act as a liaison between Program Director
and students.

SELECTED CAREEER ACCOMPLESHMENTS

BACH INSTITUTE OF BIOCHEMISTRY, IVANOVSKY INSITUTE OF VIROLOGY, VIRAMIN INSTITUT
E
Senior Scientist
Moscow, Russia

Major Contributions:
* Established Expertise in Bacteriophage T4 Molecular Biology: Studied the mecha
nisms of bacteriophage T4 fibrous proteins oligomerization and its interaction w
ith cell chaperons. Research accomplishment was proved by 12 publications in pee
r-reviewed journals and by 7 presentations at scientific conferences.
* Performed Independent Research for PhD Thesis: "Structure of Key Genes of Proh
ead Bacteriophage T4", Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Academy of Medical Scien
ce, Moscow, Russia.
* Laboratory Management: Supervised graduate students research projects at Back
Institute of Biochemistry. Supervised complete relocation and establishment of n
ew scientific laboratory in Moscow, Russia. Improved and wrote research protocol
s, presented semi-monthly progress reports, semi-year seminars for scientific au
ditorium.
* Contributed to Pharmaceutical Industry: Pioneered the development of human hig
h blood pressure reduction drug. Innovative scientific findings were granted wit
h a Patent of Invention "Method of Obtaining of Ribonucleotide Monophosphates" N
1059878, Moscow, Russia. Invented technology was approved by the Russian Ministr
y of Public Health and utilized for drug production by Russian pharmaceutical co
mpany.
* Explored New Technology: Pioneered establishment of oligonucleotide synthesis
techniques for Russian Academy of Science, Russia, Moscow, through the improveme
nt of DNA chemistry and development of automated oligonucleotide and gene synthe
sis.
EDUCATION_______________________________________________________________________
________________
Ph.D. Molecular Biology - Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Moscow, Russia
M.S. Biotechnology - Academy of Fine Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia
B.S. Chemical Engineering - Academy of Fine Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS_______________________________________________________

_____________
Fogarty International Society Award Recipient, NIH, NIAMS, Bethesda, MD
1997-2000
Evergreen State College Award Recipient, Olympia, WA
1995-1996
Certificate MOS 2003, Microsoft Office Specialist, King of Prussia, P
2008
Certificate in Research Management, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, P
A 2004
Certificate in Computer Training, NIH, Bethesda, MD
1997-1998
Patent of Invention N105987, Moscow, Russia
1984

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING___________________________________________________________
______________
Training in the Protection of Human Subjects Research, 2003 and 2007
Training in Biosafety at BL3 Level Facilities with authorization to work without
supervision, every year from 2001 till present time
Training in Biosafety of Radioactive Isotopes with authorization to work with th
ese materials without supervision, every year from 1990 till present time
Computer Training, Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, 2008. Coursework c
overed: Word 2003, Excel 2003, Power Point 2003, Access 2003, Outlook Express 20
03.
Managerial Training, 2003. Graduate program in Research Management (32 Course Cr
edits) included Strategic Management, Financial Management, Information Manageme
nt, Performance Improvement, Managerial Skills, and Bio-safety Research.
Industrial Training as Analytical Chemist at Pharmacon pharmaceutical company, S
aint-Petersburg, Russia
PROFESSINAL AFFILIATION_________________________________________________________
______________
American Society for Advance of Science (AAAS)
American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT)
Biochemical Society

TECHNICAL SKILLS PROFILE________________________________________________________

______________
Proteomics
Protein chemistry including cross-linking, enzymatic activity assays, protein ex
pression assays
* S35 proteins labeling * Protein expression analysis (e.g. Electrophoresis, Wes
tern Blot, Dot-Blot, ELISA, FACS)
* Validation of protein functions (e.g. kinase, luciferase and reverse transcrip
tase activity assays) * Immunostaining, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescient
microscopy, spectrophotometry * Protein purification including in large-scale co
lumn chromatography, HPLC, FPLC * Robotic techniques for protein crystallization
and various protein macromolecular crystallization techniques * Manufacturing s
kills of protein production in bioreactors
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Molecular genetic engineering techniques, including expression vectors design an
d development, genes cloning and expression
* Q-PCR, RT-PCR * Recombinant DNA preparation, amplification, hybridization radi
olabeling * Site-directed mutagenesis techniques * RNA preparation and evaluatio
n * Genomic mapping * Genomic DNAs library
* DNA sequencing and DNA sequence data analysis
Cell Biology
Cell cultures maintenance * Generation and maintenance of primary human cell cul
tures derived from human blood * SV40- and SNV-based gene delivery * Transient a
nd stable transfections and transductions * Up/down gene regulations * Microarr
ay analysis * Evaluation of signal transduction pathways * Assays for cytotoxic
ity, cell adhesion and proliferation
* Immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry
Virology
Recombinant viral vectors construction * Recombinant viral vectors production, *
Viruses tittering *Handling of clinical primary HIV-1 strains enquired from HIV
-positive patients * Virus infectivity assays development in variety of cell lin
es * Virus toxicity assays * HIV-1 challenge assays * Recombinant Rubella, Hepat
itis B, and Malaria viruses cloning * T-even phage family molecular biology
Computer Skills
Software applications for PC and Mac operating systems * Microsoft Office, scien
tific graphics and desktop publishing software * Data acquisition and analysis
software systems
Instrumental Skills and Trainings
Broad range of laboratory equipment including regular PCR, Q-PCR, Gel Logic Imag
ing System, Mx3000 Real-Time PCR System, ImageQuant System, FACSort Instrument,
ELx50 Automated Plate Washer, Finstrument Microplate Reader, Sonicator 3000, Oly
mpus Fluorescent Microscope, Robotic System, HPLC and FPLC Systems, different ty
pes of bioreactors * Trained to work with human subject materials in laboratory
work space * Authorized and trained to work in BL3 Biosafety Level facilities *
Authorized and trained to work with radioactive
RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS_________________________________________
The complete list of Publications in peer-reviewed journals and Presentations at
professional conferences can be provided upon request