Hayden Casassa

Hayden Casassa has had a varied work experience since 2016. At James Madison University, they served as an Undergraduate Biochemistry Research Assistant, Student Athlete Tutor for Biology and Chemistry, Teacher Assistant for an upper level biochemistry class, and Peer Leader for Chemistry Workshops. In 2017, they were a Knowledge Management Intern/Contractor at Pfizer. Since 2019, they have been working at Arrakis Therapeutics, where they have held the roles of Associate Scientist, RNA Biochemistry, Senior Research Associate, RNA Biochemistry, and Research Associate, RNA Biochemistry. In their roles, they have produced RNA via in vitro transcription, designed and executed next-generation sequencing experiments, characterized RNA structure via chemical probing, developed QC experiments, optimized production of RNA, and executed and modified 3'-end labeling methodologies.

Hayden Casassa completed their high school diploma at Exeter High School from 2011 to 2015. Hayden then attended James Madison University, where they earned a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology in 2019. Hayden also obtained several certifications, including Hospital Emergency Response Training from FEMA in May 2019, Fundamentals Course for Radiological Response from FEMA in March 2019, Management of Radiation Accidents from FEMA in March 2019, Standardized Awareness Training from FEMA in January 2019, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified (LSSWB) from the Management and Strategy Institute in December 2018, Shipping Category B Biological Substances from Saf-T-Pak in August 2019, and First Responder Operations Level (OSHA) from Safety Partners, Inc. in February 2020.