Joint Fellowship Training Program Fellows Christy Sasiela, Ph.D. Phone:   (301) 827 - 0682 E-Mail:   Christy.Sasiela@fda.hhs.gov Professional Background Dr. Sasiela earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 2002. She served a post-doctoral fellowship with the National Cancer Institutes' Molecular Targets Development Program (MTDP) before joining the NCI/FDA Oncology Product Research/ Review Fellowship program in September 2005. Research Interests Between undergraduate and graduate school, Dr. Sasiela worked in positions which increased her understanding and appreciation of the significance of safety in drug discovery, development and manufacture. In graduate school, Dr. Sasiela focused on evaluating structure activity relationships of synthesized peptides on the growth of breast cancer cells. After graduating, to increase her familiarity with current technology used in drug discovery, and to broaden her understanding of molecular targeting, Dr. Sasiela joined the MTDP where she was integrally involved in bioassay optimization, data analysis, and initial lead purification for mechanism-of-action based high-throughput screens of the NCI Natural Products Repository (>144,000 extracts and compounds). As an NCI/FDA Fellow within the FDA Division of Monoclonal Antibodies (DMA), Dr. Sasiela is investigating mechanisms of breast cancer progression mediated through EGFR and Cdc42 signaling pathways. The laboratory is particularly interested in the contribution of EGFR and Cdc42 to mechanisms of epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT). Fellowship Experiences "One of the most significant experiences for me has been the opportunity to present a comparison of potency assays based upon mechanisms of action for monoclonal antibodies in a journal club at FDA. Many of the more senior members of the DMA joined in the discussion and there was very lively debate about the attributes and drawbacks of the potency assays currently utilized. It helped me better understand this class of therapeutics and many of the newer FDA reviewers told me that my presentation, and the dialogue it generated, helped them better understand the submissions they have been reviewing." Career Goals "I look forward to working in an environment where I can use my experience and expertise at the bench in drug discovery, characterization, and development - as well as my office-based regulatory training - to optimize the drug development process."

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