Our July MCDB Alumni Spotlight is highlighting Dr. Siddhi Nath Paudel! Dr. Paudel is a Scientist in the Oncology In Vivo Pharmacology group at Amgen. He graduated from MCDB in 2023.

We asked Dr. Paudel some questions about his experience as an MCDB student, as well as his career since graduating from the program.

• Can you briefly describe your current role and the path that led you there after graduating from the MCDB program?

  I am a Scientist in the Oncology In Vivo Pharmacology group at Amgen’s headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. My current role is focused on developing and refining a translational framework for evaluating emerging cancer therapies in murine models before they advance to clinical testing. This includes selecting appropriate tumor models, defining dosing schedules, choosing meaningful efficacy and biomarker readouts, and generating data packages that help inform translational decision-making. The overarching goal is to advance new drugs and increase the number of promising therapies that reach the clinic.

  Since in vivo pharmacology sits at the critical stage between early discovery and FDA-regulated human testing, my vantage point allows me to observe innovative drugs being discovered in the resource-privileged setting of big pharma, as well as help resolve the translational challenges of pushing these promising ideas into the clinic.

  Even before I joined MCDB, I was always driven by the translational impact of research to fulfill unmet patient needs by delivering innovative therapies. My perspective at that time, and even more so now, is that this goal often comes to fruition only at the crossroads of research excellence and stellar translational execution in a resource-intensive setting. I joined MCDB to hone my scientific career. After completing my PhD in Dr. Tim Cripe’s lab at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, I also completed a short postdoc in the same lab. Dr. Cripe’s lab was working on a very new modality that utilizes in vivo engineering for cancer therapy. The idea was to use an investigational AAV-based gene therapy to instruct cells in the body to produce a CD19 T cell engager against cancer. The upside was that this approach could continuously release therapy through a single infusion and maintain long-term protein levels. As exciting and innovative as this approach was, advancing this modality to the clinic was a monumental and challenging task that reinforced my purpose of dedicating my time to such endeavors. The therapy has now advanced to a clinical trial. There was no better place than Amgen, with its arsenal of existing and emerging modalities, stellar science, and massive resources, where I could pursue this endeavor and fulfill my passion. Thankfully, I got the role and have been there ever since.

• What is one memorable or favorite moment that you have from your time at OSU or in the MCDB program?

  It is hard to pinpoint one particular moment, but the friends I made while at OSU and in the MCDB program, hanging out with them after MCDB seminars, studying together before a challenging graduate school course, or even decorating their wedding venue in a different state, are memories I will cherish forever. I would have never met them had I not joined OSU.

   
• If you could approach your time in the program differently, what would you change?
  I would probably dive deeper into the entrepreneurial side of science by strategically tapping into MCDB and OSU’s resources.
   
• What skills (technical or non-technical) did you gain during your PhD that you use regularly today?
  All of the in vivo skills that I use routinely and that fulfill a major portion of my job duties were gained during my PhD. My presentation skills were nurtured mostly by my PI and the seminar course at MCDB. As I am writing this, it would be unjust not to acknowledge that who I am as a scientist is largely shaped by my PhD journey at MCDB.
   
• Are there any specific accomplishments that you're proud of since graduating that you would like to highlight?
  My PhD was mostly related to immunotherapy. Since then, I have worked primarily with small molecules and molecular glue degraders to develop drugs against innovative targets. I am proud of being exposed to different drug development modalities and learning the inner workings of each of them post-graduation.
   
• Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
  I love going into the woods every now and then, taking my camping gear, and relaxing to unwind my mind whenever feasible. 
   
• Is there anywhere online where students can learn more about your work or connect with you?
  Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.