Wendy Knowlton, Ph.D.

Wendy Knowlton, Ph.D. has a diverse work experience spanning various scientific roles in academia and industry. Wendy began their career as a Research Assistant, Technician, and Laboratory Manager at the University of Arizona, where they focused on studying the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis. Wendy then moved on to the University of Southern California, where they worked as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant, conducting research on thermosensation and pain relief. During this time, they gained skills in a wide range of techniques, including cell culture, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and animal husbandry.

Wendy further expanded their expertise as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, studying the organization of neural circuits in the spinal cord related to sensation and pain processing. Wendy utilized various techniques such as in vivo cell ablation, FACS, and neurobehavioral testing. Wendy also gained experience in mouse handling and husbandry, as well as molecular biology techniques.

Continuing their postdoctoral research, Wendy joined the University of California San Diego, where they investigated the role of mitochondrial genes in axon regeneration using the model organism C. elegans. As a Postdoctoral Scholar, they supervised by Dr. and contributed to understanding the impact of these genes on optic neurodegeneration in humans.

Transitioning to industry, Wendy worked as a Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, focusing on molecular biology. Wendy later joined Firmenich on a contract basis, conducting high-throughput screening of GPCR and ion channel function for compound SAR and MOA studies.

In 2019, Wendy joined Plexium as a Scientist, where they led the screening team and supervised research assistants. Their work involved cell line development, molecular toolkit development, and assay optimization. Unfortunately, their position was eliminated due to the pandemic. Wendy then moved to Pfenex Inc as a Scientist, specializing in cell-based assay development and biologics screening. However, their position again was eliminated due to M&A changes.

Currently, Wendy is employed as a Senior Scientist at Nitto BioPharma, where they apply their expertise in scientific research and analysis.

Overall, Wendy Knowlton, Ph.D. has a strong background in molecular biology, assay development, and various experimental techniques, making their a valuable asset in scientific research and industry settings.

Wendy Knowlton, Ph.D. obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona from 1999 to 2004. During the same period, they also obtained another Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Subsequently, Wendy pursued higher education and completed their Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Southern California from 2006 to 2012. Additionally, they achieved a certification in Drug Discovery from the University of California, San Diego in May 2017.