Tanya Clapp

In my graduate work I aimed to understand the root causes of the freeze-thaw sensitivity vaccines with aluminum-containing adjuvants. My research was broadly defined by two aims: 1) protect the immune-stimulating properties of vaccines against freezing temperatures using aluminum-containing adjuvants and (2) investigate the use of mesoporous silica particles as vaccine adjuvants.

Following graduate school, I immediately transitioned into a postdoctoral fellowship position at the Vaccine Production Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAID). In my postdoctoral work I have (1) formulated a monoclonal antibody from initial formulation screening to long term stability testing with the goal of transfer to Phase I GMP production (2) developed a high-throughput fluorescence based screening assay to be used for the characterization of a vaccine protein nanoparticle, virus-like particle and two monoclonal antibodies.

The skills I obtained in my graduate and postdoctoral career studying vaccines, vaccine adjuvants, and antibody formulations are well suited for a future position in industry. I am motivated to make a significant contribution to the research and development of protein therapeutics with the end result of a better livelyhood for a patient.

Outside of work, I am interested in traveling, small coffee shops and cafes, working out and eating healthy. I have recently picked up bicyling and I am always up for a new fitness challenge. With that said I also enjoy indulging. I love pastries, but I am very critical of their quality specially when it comes to tiramisu or fruit tarts.