Ph.D., Environmental Science & Engineering
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Dissertation: The Role of Xenobiotics in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Focus: molecular mechanisms of neuronal toxicity and neurodegeneration.
Scientist · Seattle, WA
Gabriela Henriquez
Biopharmaceutical scientist focused on process development, gene therapy, and translational research.
Currently exploring opportunities in biopharmaceutical process development.
Early-career scientist with hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, in vivo models, and molecular biology — applied across academic and GLP/GMP industry settings, including AAV process development.
About
Bio
Gabriela Henriquez is an early-career scientist based in Seattle, Washington, focused on biopharmaceutical process development, gene therapy, and translational research. Her hands-on experience spans mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, in vivo models, and molecular biology — applied across both academic and regulated GLP/GMP industry settings.
She most recently supported AAV workflow optimization as a Gene Delivery & Editing Process Development intern at Bristol Myers Squibb. Previously, she served as a Quality Assurance Specialist II at Seattle Children's Research Institute, and earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso, where her dissertation explored the molecular mechanisms of neuronal toxicity and neurodegeneration.
Gabriela's published work — appearing in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, ACS Omega, Biomaterials Advances, and Molecules — investigates neuroprotective compounds, amyloid pathology, and nanomaterial-based delivery systems. A selection is listed below, with the full record available on Google Scholar.
Recent updates
- Aug 2025 Completed Gene Delivery & Editing Process Development internship at Bristol Myers Squibb, supporting AAV workflow optimization through high-throughput screening.
- Jun 2025 Joined Bristol Myers Squibb (Seattle) as a Gene Delivery & Editing Process Development intern.
- Mar 2024 Concluded role as Quality Assurance Specialist II at Seattle Children's Research Institute after improving documentation systems and increasing compliance rate by 75%.
- 2023 Published a review on α-synuclein immunotherapy as a therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease in Exploration of Neuroprotective Therapy.
- 2022 Two first-author papers published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience on carbon quantum dots and amyloid cross-toxicity, plus a co-authored study in Biomaterials Advances.
- May 2022 Joined Seattle Children's Research Institute as Quality Assurance Specialist II.
- Dec 2021 Completed Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso. Dissertation: The Role of Xenobiotics in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
- 9+ Peer-reviewed publications
- 550+ Citations on Google Scholar
- 5+ Years research experience
- 2+ Years GLP/GMP industry
Experience
Where I've worked
-
Gene Delivery & Editing Process Development, Intern
Bristol Myers Squibb
- Supported Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) workflow optimization, contributing to improved viral yield and purity using high-throughput screening.
- Applied statistical tools (JMP) to analyze experimental results and summarize findings.
- Documented research in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and communicated data insights to the team.
- Presented experimental progress in weekly team meetings and incorporated feedback into project direction.
-
Quality Assurance Specialist II
Seattle Children's Research Institute
- Maintained and updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality records, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Improved documentation and reporting systems, achieving a 75% increase in compliance rate.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support process development and regulatory adherence.
-
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
- Conducted translational neuroscience research using in vitro and in vivo models to study neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction, and behavioral outcomes.
- Developed and optimized behavioral and molecular assays to evaluate neuroprotective compounds, leading to peer-reviewed publications.
- Performed rodent handling, small-animal surgery, and behavioral assays under IACUC-approved protocols; tissue collection and processing for downstream analyses.
- Maintained C. elegans strains to study gene function in disease models; used fluorescence microscopy to analyze protein expression in transgenic worms.
- Oversaw lab operations, inventory, and training; taught chemistry laboratory sections of 20+ students.
Education
Academic background
B.S., Pharmaceutical Biochemistry
Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA)
Certificates in Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing
Shoreline Community College
- Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist Certificate
- Essentials of Biomanufacturing Certificate
Skills
Technical expertise
Cell & Molecular Biology
- Mammalian cell culture
- Media preparation
- DNA / RNA isolation
- PCR & qPCR
- Gel electrophoresis
- Western blot
- Transfection & transformation
- Molecular cloning
- Protein purification
- ELISA
- Immunofluorescence
- Cytotoxicity assays
- Aseptic technique
Equipment & Lab Operations
- Flow cytometry
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Staining & imaging
- High-throughput automation
- Spectrophotometer
- Live-cell imaging & analysis
- Plate-based assays
- ÄKTA chromatography
- Bioreactor exposure
- Supply inventory & ordering
Data, Software & Compliance
- Experimental design (DOE)
- Statistical analysis
- Prism
- R
- JMP
- BLAST
- ImageJ
- FlowJo
- Electronic lab notebooks
- GLP / GMP
- SOP development & review
- Good documentation practices
Publications
Selected peer-reviewed work
A selection of publications. For the complete and up-to-date list, visit my Google Scholar profile.
Contact
Let's connect.
Open to opportunities in biopharmaceutical process development, gene therapy, and translational research. I'd be glad to hear from you.
- LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/gabriela-henriquezphd
- Location Seattle, Washington
- Résumé Download (PDF)