Maha W. Rizk is a senior-level researcher with over 10 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. She has expertise in oncology, inflammation, and neurological biomarkers as well as experience in drug discovery, preclinical studies, and clinical trials. Her technical skills include developing and validating cell-based assays, protein analysis, DNA/RNA extraction, and data analysis software. She currently works as a senior associate scientist at Amgen performing assays for oncology, inflammation, and neuroscience drug candidates.

1. MAHA W. RIZK
20327 Saticoy St # 301 • Canoga Park, California 91306
Home: (805) 552-4266 • mahawally46@gmail.com • Cell: (805) 990-6258
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Senior-level Researcher with more than ten years experience in biotechnology / pharmaceutical environments.
Exceptional research background in oncology, inflammation and neurological biomarkers, the early stages of drug
discovery, preclinical studies, and clinical trials. Excellent oral and written communication skills Self-motivated
professional who works independently and also collaborates on teams. Objective is to contribute my academic
background and the technical experience to a challenging research product development scientist position in a
start-up -mid size Biotech/Pharmaceutical organization
Expe rtise include s:
 Developing and validate cell based assays to measure biomarker for Amgen proprietary targets
 Evaluate drug candidates’ specificity and selectivity by various technologies including total protein analysis by
Western Blot, IEF, ELISA, MSD and FACS
 Cell lines propagation, cell banking
 DNA/RNA extraction and quantitation from fresh tissue and FFPE to support microarray investigations for
molecular signature that predict response to drug candidates
 Use the Nautilus LIMS for maintaining samples chain of custody and samples data analysis
 RELPOT Plus, SoftMax, GraphPad Prism and SnagIT-8 data capture software Statistical Packages
 Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Laboratory Management
 Negotiate reagents’ standing order with third party
 Serve as member of Drug Discovery Platform, which identifies new technologies that would benefit the
organization research group.
 Serve as member of Assay Qualification Assessment Group (AQAG) to review the newly developed biomarker
assays
 Write and submit new equipment requests that are reviewed by CapitalEquipment Budget Committee.
 Supervise and train summer students.
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Oncology and Inflammation Research
 Fine Needle Aspirate assay development to investigate RANK/L expression by IHC in NSCLC
 DNA and RNA extractions from control cell lines and FFPE blocks to investigate multiple biomarkers for
AMGEN programs
 Assist in developing Treg subsets and MDSC biomarkers on FACSCanto II for inflammatory responses
 siRNA transfection
 Utilize ELISA and MSD assays for biomarker screening and quantitation
 Conduct cytotoxicity screening using vascular permeability and MTT cell proliferation assays.

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Analytical Chemistry
 Conduct protein extractions and purification using varieties of chromatographic techniques.
 Perform Protein quantitation using Molecular Dynamics Storm 860, BCA, Bradford, and Lowery methods.
 Complete Radiometric Enzymes activity assays using Beckman Coulter Biomek 3000 and 1450 MicroBeta
liquid scintillation counter.
 Execute Novel protein characterization using Iso-Electric Focusing, SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, Western
Blot, and UV absorbance.
 Monitor protein purification steps using Coomassie and Silver staining SDS-PAGE.
 Analyze kidney, liver, and electrolyte functions via Dade Behring Dimension.
Hematology and Hemostasis
 Compile Clinical Hematology and cytology analysis for preclinical studies utilizing Advia 120 Hematology
Analyzer with Multispecies Package (Bayer Diagnostics).
 Use FORCYTE Veterinary Hematology Analyzer (Oxford Science, Inc.) plus Hemavet Hematology Analyzers
(Drew Scientific Group, Inc.).
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,Los Angeles, California
Molecular Biologist MB (ASCP) certificate #1879
SHORELINE COMMUNITYCOLLEGE,Seattle, Washington
Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist Certificate
AIN SHAMSUNIVERSITY, Cairo, Egypt
Bachelor ofScience in Biochemistry
PROFESSIONAL / RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
AMGEN CORPORATION.– THOUSAND OAKS, California 12/2008 – Present
Sr Associate Scientist– Oncology Biomarkers (12/2008-Present)
 Perform assays quantification and validation for Amgen programs focus on Oncology, inflammation and
neuroscience drug candidates
 Developing Fine Needle Aspirate methodology to investigate RANK/ RANKL expression in ex-vivo NSCLC by
IHC that will aid in patients stratification and lung cancer therapy.
 Isolate DNA and RNA from flash frozen tissues, human cell lines and FFPE blocks to support microarray
investigations for molecular signature that predict response to drug candidates
 Tissue disaggregation and isolation of viable cells for FACS assays,protein purification from cell line and human
tissues, cell culture, cell based kinase assays,whole tissue enzymatic assays,and GLP-like assay validation.
 Propagate,maintain mammalian cell culture, siRNA transfection optimization, cellular toxicity assays and
validation, RNA purification and quantification
 Other Duties:Track in house AMGEN donors and FFPE blocks and clinical samples clinical samples chain of
custody using Nautilus tracking system

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PROFESSIONAL / RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)
 Collaborate with Amgen operation group for medical science manual and automated pipettes calibration tracking,
report out of tolerance pipettes and follow up with the primary investigator for clinical samples’ assessment study
PATHWAY DIAGNOSTICS.– MALIBU, California 11/2007 – 12/2008
Scientist I– Virology (11/2007-12/2008)
 Create Master Cellbank and subsequent Working cell bank for HEp2 cell line.
 Infect HEp2 cell line with Respiratory Syncytial virus to creat PDXvirus stock
 Perform Microneutralization Assay for anti RSV antibody quantitation
 Perform Respiratory viruses screening and identification for clinical trial samples
 Quantify the biological activity of PI88 in plasma samples by Fluorescence Quenching Assay
 Write SOPs for PDXcell culture propagation and maintenance , assays qualification followed by the validation
plan
ACT-1 AMGEN INC.– Thousand Oaks, California 04/2007 – 11/2007
Senior Research Associate – Global Cellular and Analytical Resources (04/2007-10/26/07)
Potency quantification of Amgen compounds
 Perform quantification of Amgen anti –IL17 and anti-glucagon receptors
 Quantify the biological activity of anti EGF receptor by Gene expression bioassay
 Maintain and propagate HuGR11-10, CHO,HFF and MRE cell lines
 Analyze the raw data using AMGEN controlled spreadsheet RelPot Plus and SoftMax programs
ELI-LILLY (formerly ICOS CORP.), Bothell, Washington 1999 – 2007
Senior Research Associate – Preclinical Department (2001-2007)
Biomarker Identification and Assay Development
 Perform cytokine quantitation (multiple species) for serum, tissue homogenates, and bronchoalveolar lavage
using standard ELISA, MESO-Scale electrochemiluminescence, and Multiplex Cytometric Bead Array.
 Conduct in vitro vascular permeability and MTT proliferation assays to mimic the target tissue for the testing
compound toxicity, as part of Pre-IND filing.
 Implement insulin quantitation for pre- and post-treated rat pancreatic β-cell culture using standard ELISA.
Process Development
 Perform Sequential Lipoprotein Depletion and Radiometric enzyme activity assay for recombinant platelet-
activating factor acetylhydrolase (rPafase)® plasma levels in support of a phase 2 clinical trial.
 Develop and manufacture in-house HDL reagent for Lipoprotein Binding Assay (Immunoaffinity purification of
Apolipoprotein A1-HDL utilizing CNBr-activated sepharose 4 fast flow conjugated to anti-Apo A1 antibody).
 Utilize Ion Exchange Chromatography and Size Exclusion Chromatography as part of rPafase cross
characterization plan.
 Revise QC test methods to improve separations of pure species of rPafase pre,main, and post peaks.
Clinical Pathology
 Perform routine hematology assessment on humans and animals, including automated analysis, and manual
differentials for efficacy and toxicity studies.
 Conduct routine clinical chemistry assessment on humans and animals.

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PROFESSIONAL / RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)
 Execute manual cytology examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, as part of evaluating compound efficacy
in murine model of allergic bronchitis.
 Compile statistics, generate graphs, and prepare text reports of hematology, clinical chemistry, and cytology
results for submission to investigators.
 Evaluate clinical pathology endpoints (clinical chemistry, hematology, and cytology) for investigational efficacy,
tolerability, and toxicity studies performed in-house.
 Monitor reagent and supplies inventory and place electronic supply orders.
 Participate in product research and prepare proposal and justification for acquiring new lab equipment that
considerably speed up performance and accuracy.
 Implement Laboratory Information System (LIS) (LabCat, Innovative Programming Associates,Princeton, NJ).
Research Associate – Research Department (1999-2001)
Protein Biochemistry
 Develop purification methods for recombinant proteins expressed in mammalian cells, E. coli, and Baculovirus /
insect cell culture.
 Perform cell lysis using Frensh Press,Sonication, and dounce homogenization.
 Prepare protein extraction using Saturated Ammonium Sulfate Cuts, ultra filtration, and dialysis.
 Use basic chromatographic techniques for large scale purification (metal chelate affinity chromatography, biotin-
streptavidin affinity chromatography, gel filtration, ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, protein affinity
chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography).
 Conduct novel proteins characterization expressed in various cell types by Iso-Electric Focusing, SDS-PAGE gel
electrophoresis, Western Blot, UV absorbance, and protein quantitation (BCA, Bradford, and Lowery methods).
 Develop enzyme labeled Ni-NTA conjugate plate based assay for measuring His-Tag proteins in raw materials.
THE GENETIC INSTITUTE, Pasadena, CA 1992
Laboratory Technician
 Perform amniocentesis chromosomes analysis for paternity testing and genetic birth defects.
 Conduct enzyme immunoassay to evaluate patient thyroid status.
 Collect patient samples,oversee laboratory purchasing / receiving, and maintain records / inventory.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, Sepulveda, CA 1991
Laboratory Technician
 Collect patient samples and perform routine clinical chemistry analysis.
 Conduct manual cytology examinations for urine samples.
 Perform data entry and patient recordkeeping.
TRAINING / CERTIFICATION
 E-Workbook online-Point of contact for Oncology Biomarkers Group
 Diagnostic Hybrids Respiratory viruses Screening and Identification training
 AMGEN Hazard Communication and chemical hygiene training.

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TRAINING / CERTIFICATION (CONTINUED)
 AMGEN GLP / GMP Training
 Laboratory Leadership and Management Workshop (Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association)
 Technical Writing Course (IWCC Training in Communications)
 Scientific Presentation Course (IWCC Training in Communications)
 Bayer Advia 120 Basic and Multi-species Training and Certification
 Certified Phlebotomy 80-hour Training Course
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
American Association Of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
California Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (CABIO)
Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA)
PUBLICATION
Redundancy of growth factor utilization and complex molecular analyses in human primary tumors highlights
potential resistance mechanisms for targeted agents
John Rossi, Robert D. Loberg, Michael B. Bass, Chetan Deshpande, Dan Baker, Maha Rizk, Katherine
Paweletz, Michael A. Damore, Scott D. Patterson, Ian McCaffery