Faiza Javaid

I have recently completed my PhD studies at University College London. Under the supervision of Prof. Vijay Chudasama and Prof. Steve Moss, my PhD centred around the development and evaluation of a novel non-internalising antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) for the targeted treatment of cancer. To date, my work has resulted in the authorship of four publications in peer reviewed journals (Chemical Science Minireview, Bioconjugate Chemistry, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, Chemical Communications), with several others either in preparation or submitted for publication. Furthermore, my work has led to an industrial collaboration and pre-clinical evaluation of an antibody fragment in non-human primate studies, as well as new collaborations with researchers across multiple different disciplines (structural biology, nanotechnology, cell and molecular biology). My scientific interests lie at the boundary between biology and chemistry, with a particular interest in translational research, using novel technologies and a multi-disciplinary approach to solve complex biological problems and to facilitate the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics.
Having completed my undergraduate MSci degree in Biochemistry (UCL) and my PhD in Chemical Biology (UCL), my scientific skillset is currently focussed on the areas of cell and molecular biology and protein modification using chemical biology to generate improved biotherapeutics. This has equipped me with a diverse set of practical and analytical skills. I have also developed nanoparticle assays specifically designed to empower diagnostics for disease detection through a collaboration with Dr Michael Thomas (LCN) after finishing my PhD.
I enjoy the challenge of complex experimental design and I have developed a number of protocols that have now been widely adopted by our laboratory: the generation of a stably transfected cell line that is routinely being used to generate mouse models of cancer for the evaluation of therapeutics, improvement of existing cell assays to evaluate the efficacy of non-internalising ADCs, the generation of a Fab fragment (patented) that is now being evaluated in pre clinical toxicology studies for neovascular AMD ahead of a first-in-man clinical trial and site-selective modification of this Fab fragment that has enabled immunostaining in various disease models in the lab.
As a senior PhD in the Chudasama and Moss Groups, I hold responsibility for technical and pastoral guidance for junior members, and feedback on the preparation of manuscripts. Much of the work I have carried out during my PhD has required the use of techniques which have been self taught.
I thoroughly enjoy working in a team environment and much of my work has involved working with collaborators across different scientific disciplines. As such, I am confident in conveying complex ideas to a variety of audiences identifying key steps and goals in a research project. My commitment to scientific outreach and dissemination of research has been demonstrated through numerous invited talks and presentations both at universities and renowned international and national conferences. Furthermore, I recently won first prize at the UCL Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition Faculty Heats, where I presented my research to a non-specialist audience and have also partaken in demonstrating for undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory modules (UCL) and the biological sciences specialist research project bootcamp (Birkbeck).