1. 9406 Foxgrove Court
Raleigh, NC 27617
Michael C. Li
EDUCATION
Duke University, Durham, NC
Masterof Science, Biomedical Engineering
August 2013 – December 2014
Concentration: Biomaterials/Nanoengineering
GPA: 3.70/4.0
 Relevant Coursework: Biology by Design, Theoretical/Applied Polymer Science, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology Materials
Lab, Advanced Biomaterials, Engineering Programming and Signals Processing, Biosensors ,Applied Mathematics for
Engineers
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Bachelor of Science, Life Science
August 2008-December 2012
GPA: 3.56/4.0
EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRY
Scientific Associate II, GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Drug Product, RTP, NC January 2015- Present
 Developed cationic nanoemulsion platform for scale-up production with potential use as an adjuvant through optimization of
agitation, homogenization, microfluidization, and filtration processes.
 Nanoemulsion characterization using Accusizer, DLS, and RP-HPLC for qualitative and quantitative stability assays.
 Designed experiments to examine effect of N2 overlay and vacuumfor the development of a cationic nanoemulsion process.
 Wrote and executed process compatibility studies for adjuvant and protein vaccine development through coordinated
collaboration between Drug Product, Drug Substance,and Analytical Development departments.
 Provided technical support on protein-based vaccine drug product development through RP-HPLC analysis for formulation and
stability studies.
Product/Process Engineer Cooperative Internship, Crayola, LLC., Easton, PA May 2012-May 2013,Summer 2009
 Reformulated existing products (Model Magic™, Color Wonder™, Gel FX™) through substitution ofchemical components with
similar properties to produce superior/equivalent quality to explore alternatives in the face of rising supplier costs and viable
future opportunities to develop new business relations.
o Resulted in $600,000 annual savings in raw material costs for a flagship product (Model Magic™).
 Bench-top testing using plasticity, pH, and temperature stability experiments following existing protocols and applying laboratory
results to large-scale, factory trial planning for commercial production.
 Supervised factory trials to ensure proper following of protocol and troubleshoot difficulties while also conducting real-time
testing of new formulations at different steps to ensure optimal quality.
 Articulated meaningful data and progress of experiments to inter-departmental members and executives to ensure accuracy at
many stages in product testing.
 Refined several metallic-based products (crayons and paints) tailored to EU-compliant regulations of heavy metals.
 Transitioned and updated all dye-based product specs to new suppliers with proper MSDS and CAS numbers per regulation.
EXPERIENCE IN ACADEMIA
Graduate Research Assistant, West Lab Duke University, Durham, NC December 2013 – December 2014
 Experimentation of multiple biocompatible polymer syntheses with pH-sensitive degradation to produce gold nanoclusters from
nanospheres with capabilities for novel, theranostic agents in Dual-CT imaging as well as photothermal anti-tumor applications.
Biodegradable polymers were designed using non-toxic components to ensure safety as well as desired degradation kinetics.
 Optimized production of gold nanospheres to achieve high reproducibility and low polydispersity within a desired size range of 4-
5 nm to ensure rapid renal clearance.
 Modified surface character in biomaterials using various amino acids to explore zwitterionic potential and protein adsorption
resistance using past and presently tried protocols contained within available research materials.
 Characterized biomaterial efficiency, morphology, and chemical composition using Transmission Electron Microscopy,UV-Vis
Spectroscopy,Dynamic Light Scattering, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared Lasering, Gel Permeation
Chromatography, Lyophilization and various equipment.
o Newly developed nanoclusters showed 18% higher photothermal efficiency compared to existing gold nanoshell
materials previously used in lab for tumor tissue ablation.
R21 Grant Proposal Project Member, Biology by Design, Durham, NC
August 2013-December 2013
 Designed a targeted gene therapy and drug delivery systemusing an rAAV2 capsid to treat alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency.
 Used current literature and available resources from NIH and laboratory suppliers to help propose a persuasive and hypothetical
R21 Grant for funding from NIH.
 Targeting functionality was achieved using peptide variants complimentary to liver tissue and similar to known homing motifs

2. reported within primary literature.
 Proposed In vitro tests using Phage Display under different positive and negative selection variables to find the most selective
peptides from a library of 109 peptide sequences.
PUBLICATIONS
 Li, M. C., Mukerji, R., Leong, K. (2014). Smart Theranostic Nanosystems. February 2016.
LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC SERVICE
Hospital Chapel Volunteer, Durham VA Hospital, Durham, NC July 2015 - Present
 Assisted and escorted long-term patients attending church services on Sunday mornings.
 Provided support for patients’daily activities such as eating and drinking following service as well as being a listener when
veterans needed simply to speak with someone.
 Helped set up church service by distributing literature and programs to patients and other attendees.
Big Brother Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Durham, NC September 2013 - Present
 Provided mentoring for a young adolescent who had recently lost his father and just entered high school.
 Led by example to establish good moral and academic values through motivational activities and outings in a critical development
period of a child’s life.
 Fostered interest in new areas as well as nurture existing interests to help mentee discover about himself as well as increase self-
confidence.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Microeconomics, University Park, PA August 2010 – December 2011
 Supervised exams as well as assisted in answering questions raised during examination periods for Dr. George Mateer.
 Provided feedback for students on weekly assignments and graded assignments according to given instructions.
Hospitality Committee Member, THON, University Park, PA September 2010-May 2012
 Provided outstanding emotional and financial support to patients and patients’families affected by pediatric cancer.
 Attended weekly meetings to coordinate fundraising opportunities and weekend getaways to help raise funding for cancer
research at Hershey Medical Center.
 Helped build team cohesiveness and chemistry as Social Chair of the committee in order to achieve common goals of the
committee as well as overall larger organization.
ADDITONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
 Fluent in English; Proficient in speaking Mandarin; Limited Proficiency in Spanish
 Numerous shadowing experiences in various fields (60 hours)
 First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications for adult, child, and infant
 Familiarized with engineering computational tools such as MATLAB, Mathematica, ChemDraw, and ImageJ
 Experienced in various characterization and lab techniques such as RP-HPLC (Waters), TEM, UV-Vis, Zetasizing, DLS, XPS,
NMR and GPC
 Improvement Chair and founding member of Biomedical Engineering Association of MasterStudents (BEAMS) at Duke