Diego Grassi

Experience

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  Petroquimica Río Tercero

  Mar 1997 - Dec 1997

  Chemical Analyst

  Conducted quality control analyses and provided training to junior scholars during a professional internship.Key Activities:• Performed analytical and gravimetric assays to ensure product quality and compliance with industry standards.• Trained and mentored 4 scholar fellows, enhancing their technical skills and understanding of laboratory procedures.

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  Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

  Jan 2004 - Jul 2004

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Contributed to research projects of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology (IMBIV) focusing on the cytogenetic analysis of plant species exposed to mutagenic treatments.Key Activities:• Maintained greenhouse facilities and managed the processing and germination of pepper and barley seeds treated with mutagens (e.g., sodium azide, ionizing radiation).• Prepared samples for cytogenetic techniques, including conventional chromosome banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).• Collected, organized, and curated relevant bibliographic material to support ongoing research projects. Show less

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  Department of Cytogenetic, National University of Misiones (UNaM)

  Aug 2004 - Dec 2005

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Managed and led a research project under the program “Applied and Evolutionary Cytogenetics of Subtropical Fishes of Argentine Northwest II,” focusing on the genetic study of subtropical fish populations. This work culminated in a peer-reviewed publication in Comparative Cytogenetics (2017).Key Achievements:• Characterized, for the first time, the cytogenetic profile of the southernmost population of Hoplias malabaricus, a widespread fish species in South America.• Planned and executed the project, including cytogenetic analysis and data interpretation.• Authored and submitted the manuscript, serving as both first and corresponding author (Comparative Cytogenetics, 2017). Show less

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  ASSI S.A.

  Jan 2006 - May 2007

  Assembly Operator / Welder

  Worked in the Department of Construction, assembling equipment for the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries during a sabbatical year.Key Activities:• Contributed to the assembly and welding of industrial equipment, ensuring adherence to high-quality standards and client specifications.• Developed strong teamwork skills in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing the timely completion of projects under strict deadlines.

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  Facultad de Ciencias Químicas - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

  Jun 2007 - Jun 2008

  Research Assistant (PhD training)

  Conducted research under the supervision of Prof. Santiago Quiroga (CIQUIBIC-CONICET) and Prof. Alfredo Cáceres (IMMF), acquiring extensive hands-on experience in advanced techniques for studying neuronal development.Key Activities:• Gained expertise in confocal microscopy, primary neuron cultures, biochemical assays, and gene delivery techniques.• Developed a strong theoretical foundation in membrane trafficking processes during neuronal development.

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  Department of Biological Chemistry, CIQUIBIC - CONICET

  Jun 2008 - Feb 2015

  Graduate Researcher

  Specialties: Neurodevelopment, neuroregeneration.Conducted translational and basic research projects focused on neuronal development, axonal regeneration, and neurodegeneration. Applied advanced expertise in in vitro cultures, protein engineering, and molecular biology to explore therapeutic and mechanistic insights in neuroscience.Key Achievements:• Contributed to 2 translational research projects:► Axonal regeneration in adult rodent retinal ganglion cells with therapeutic potential for maculopathies (in collaboration with INCI-CNRS, France), resulting in a publication in PLoS ONE (2013).► Evaluation of antiamyloidogenic drugs in cellular models of Parkinson’s disease (partnership with IBR and Max Planck Institute, Argentina), enabling the creation of the drug screening platform SEDIPFAR.• Drove progress in 5 basic research projects, leading to 5 peer-reviewed publications and securing lab funding over 7 years:► SNARE proteins in axonal development (Cell Discovery, 2015).► Exocyst complex in neuronal polarity (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2009).► Correlation between polarity and axonal growth (Molecular Neurobiology, 2016).► Role of growth factors in neuronal development (Scientific Reports, 2017).► Rab21 in cortical neuronal migration (Journal of Neurochemistry, 2023).• Established and optimized techniques for culturing embryonic hippocampal and dopaminergic neurons, and adult RGCs.• Optimized protocols for transfection at early stages of neuronal development. • Created and managed a cDNA library, including 20+ fusion proteins for live imaging.• Co-authored manuscripts: data analysis, interpretation and preparation for publication. • Mentored and trained 3 undergraduate students, resulting in a 50% workforce renewal and enhanced project continuity.• Served as Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathological Biological Chemistry, teaching and supervising 14 cohorts of undergraduate students over 7 years. Show less

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  Scripps Research

  Mar 2015 - Jun 2018

  Specialties: Senescence and Aging.Led a high-content screening platform to evaluate senotherapeutics (compounds with senomorphic or senolytic activity) in cellular models of senescence in over 12 screening campaigns, evaluating 70+ small molecules and biologics (Bcl-XL inhibitors, flavonoids, extracellular vesicles, serum samples, rapalogs, fibrates).Key Achievements:• Optimized screening assays to standardize the detection of senotherapeutics, from cell senescence induction, compounds treatment, image acquisition and analysis to data presentation. Increased throughput and accuracy by 50%.• Tested 30+ therapeutic assets from 6 biotechnology companies focused on regenerative medicine.• Established partnerships with academic institutions, including The Mayo Clinic, the Miami Diabetes Research Institute, and the Institute of Biomedical Research A Coruña (INIBIC, Spain).• Contributed to 6 peer-reviewed publications, including studies published in Nature Communications, Aging Cell and EBioMedicine.• Co-authored manuscripts, with responsibilities spanning data analysis, interpretation, and preparation for publication. Show less Specialty: Neurodegenerative diseases.Orchestrated a multidisciplinary research project in collaboration with the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and the University of Alabama at Birmingham to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Resulting in 2 peer-reviewed publications (PNAS, 2018; Neurobiology of Disease, 2018) and 1 patent (WO2019157527).Contributed to a drug screening campaign evaluating small molecule (drug discovery and drug repurposing) in transgenic rodent models of ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases neuroprotectants, which secured a $3 million NIH grant (1R01NS103195-01A1) for a 4-year collaborative project.Key Achievements:• Discovered a novel alpha-synuclein species, alpha-synuclein STAR, establishing a new therapeutic target.• Utilized alpha-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) and Adeno-Associated Virus (AAVs) approaches in cellular models (primary cultures of hippocampal and cortical neurons) and WT mice to identify novel alpha-synuclein species.• Mastered processing and imaging of postmortem brain tissues from Parkinson's disease patients to validate in vitro and in vivo findings.• Reconfigured laboratory spaces to accommodate prion-like protein studies, including processing neuronal cultures and tissue samples from humans and mice.• Improved understanding and implementation of behavioral assays to assess therapeutic effectiveness in rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases.• Co-authored manuscripts, with responsibilities spanning data analysis, interpretation, and preparation for publication. Show less

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Jan 2017 - Jun 2018

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Mar 2015 - Mar 2017
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  Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS)

  Jun 2018 - Sept 2021

  Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

  Specialty: Neuroimmunology. Designed and executed the NanoPSYCH project, awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (€200,000), recognized for its innovative aspects and potential therapeutic applications for neuropsychiatric disorders and CNS drug delivery.Key Achievements:• Conducted mapping of the extracellular space (ECS) in living brain tissue using nano-objects (Quantum Dots, nanotubes) and patient-derived autoantibodies targeting synaptic receptors (NMDAR encephalitis, a form of autoimmune psychosis).• Standardized and optimized assays for evaluating ECS dynamics and nano-architecture using advanced imaging techniques, including single-particle tracking and super-resolution microscopy.• Co-authored a peer-reviewed publication (Cell Reports, 2023), contributing to data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation.• Generated preliminary data supporting the €10 million ERC Synergy project “ENSEMBLE” for a 6-year collaborative project.• Mentored and trained one undergraduate student, enhancing their technical expertise in advanced imaging techniques. Show less

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  AELIS FARMA

  Oct 2021 - now

  Managed preclinical development projects (in-house and outsourced), focusing on the in vivo evaluation and validation of drug candidates.Key responsibilities:• Heading in vivo efficacy studies to establish preclinical Proof of Concept for lead molecules.• Enhancing therapeutic portfolio development through rigorous preclinical validation of candidates.• Driving cross-departmental collaboration between Corporate, Drug Discovery, and Preclinical teams to optimize project outcomes.Specialties: CNS diseases, metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes), and immune pathologies. Show less • Directed competitive intelligence initiatives across 8+ projects, advancing the therapeutic portfolio and optimizing program success.► Identified therapeutic applications for early-stage assets and drug candidates, aligning scientific insights with market opportunities.► Conducted comprehensive market analyses, developed competitive landscapes, and proposed risk mitigation strategies.► Delivered actionable insights to inform strategic decisions and foster impactful business opportunities.• Designed and executed key external and internal reports:► Annual Universal Registration Document enabling a €175M IPO (Euronext Paris).► Fast-track designation and IND application files, white papers, and newsletters.► Materials for international symposiums, conferences, and virtual data rooms.• Optimized communication between Corporate, Business, and Preclinical teams, enhancing cross-departmental efficiency and accelerating project timelines.Specialties CNS: Substance use disorders, epilepsy and epileptic disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease - Metabolism: obesity, diabetes. - Immunity: inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis. Show less Engineered and managed projects (in-house and outsourced) for a portfolio of over 150 small molecules in early discovery phases, driving the identification and validation of promising drug candidates.Key achievements:• Identified and evaluated new molecular targets, presenting 3+ projects for further development.• Conducted high-throughput screening assays to characterize the activity profiles of small molecules.• Analyzed data from efficacy studies, leading to the selection of 5+ in vitro leads for subsequent preclinical validation.• Oversaw in vitro toxicity, selectivity assays, and pharmacokinetics studies, ensuring the viability of candidate molecules.• Contributed to the characterization of mechanisms of action, enabling a deeper understanding of compounds behavior. Show less

  • Project Manager - Preclinical Development

    Jun 2024 - now

  • Competitive Intelligence Manager

    Oct 2021 - now

  • Project Manager - Drug Discovery

    Oct 2021 - May 2024