Xinjun Zhang

Xin-Jun Zhang, Ph.D. Associate Principal Scientist, Merck & Co. Phone: 215-993-9134 E-mail: Xinjun.zhang@merck.com EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ● Experienced neuroscientist and molecular biologist with 15+ years of experience in multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, ophthalmology, oncology, and stem cell therapy ● Aspiring scientists with a passion for novel gene therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and ion channel-related drug discovery research ● Eloquent science communicator excelling in grant applications, publications in top-tier journals (e.g. Neuron, Nature Communications, and Nature Biotechnology), and conference presentations ● Skilled mentor proficient in training/supervising >10 junior lab members ● Enthusiastic volunteer serving in multiple organizations to plan and coordinate events on pharmaceutical science and healthcare communications among different institutions EDUCATION Ph.D. in Neurobiology Fudan University 2010 B.S. in Biology Fudan University 2005 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Merck & Co., West Point, PA Associate Principal Scientist (Jan. 2023-) Senior Scientist (Apr. 2018–Present) ● Develop novel ex vivo electrophysiological and molecular assays to support ion channel-related neuroscience drug discovery programs, including schizophrenia and sleep disorder ● Identify and validate new drug targets for neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases ● Present complex scientific strategies and results across multiple functional teams ● Lead Discovery Science Overview team and organize series of meetings on pipeline progression and new capabilities/approaches ● Mentored co-op students on drug discovery process and scientific research Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY Research Associate (2016–Apr. 2018) Research Fellow (2011–2016) ● Research Focus: o Designed, cloned, and packed human-specific progenitor genes into retroviral vectors to study the roles of these genes in mouse neocortex at populational and clonal level o Investigated neural development, functional connectivity, and organization of clonally related excitatory or inhibitory neurons in mouse and ferret neocortex o Studied fast generation of cortical neurons and nociceptors from human pluripotent stem cells ● Funded and managed a training grant ($120,000) from the New York State Department of Health and Empire State Stem Cell Board ● Published 10 first-author or co-author research papers in top-tier journals ● Conceptualized, designed, and executed 6 research projects ● Presented research findings at ~10 national and international conferences ● Peer-reviewed >10 scientific journal manuscripts and 40 conference abstracts ● Mentored >10 undergraduate and graduate students Fudan University, Shanghai, China Graduate research scientist (2005–2010) ● Performed scientific studies on retinal degenerative disorders ● Published 5 first-author and co-author research papers in prestigious journals ● Received and managed the Graduates’ Innovation Fellowship (¥15,000 RMB/$2,000) ● Awarded 2 Excellent Presentations at local and international conferences LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE Merck, West Point, PA Lead of Discovery Science Overview (Jan. 2020–Present) ● Organize and moderate monthly seminars covering preclinical and clinical program progress attracting ~2000 attendees each year ● Invite > 30 speakers each year from multiple functional groups across various sites within Merck Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association Executive Committee Member (Jan. 2019–Present) ● Lead IT team and rebuilt the sapagp.org and atphilly.org websites ● Co-lead a global SAPA project on email communications ● Build virtual platform to support online events ● Promote events through >50 points-of-contacts in companies and universities NYC Science Communication Vice President of Public Relations and Institutional Representative (Sept. 2016–2019) ● Coordinated events with >15 institutions and organizations across NYC for collaborations and support ● Created PR contact list, produced event flyers, and gained >200 members within a year ● Built and managed website with WordPress (nycscicomm.org) and achieved >2,000 views Contributor to the Science Community ● Reviewed scientific journal manuscripts and conference abstracts, including Acta Physiologica Sinica, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students ● Translated and published 2 book chapters in The Accidental Mind by David J. Linden from English to Chinese BUSINESS AND FINANCE EXPERIENCE ● Passed CFA Level I exam (Dec. 2017); gained broad knowledge regarding economics, corporate financial reports, and portfolio management ● Candidate of Haroun Education Ventures MBA Degree Program; gained real-life knowledge on investment and business development LABORATORY TECHNIQUES Cellular/Molecular Biology: Molecular cloning, Cell culture, in utero intrav