An accomplished and collaborative cancer biologist with experience in developing and optimizing biomarker assays within preclinical and clinical programs, as well as evaluating the performance of a novel diagnostic platform. Designed and executed critical experiments assessing validity of biomarkers using clinical biospecimens derived from oncology patients. Deep knowledge of cancer biology and tumor development/progression through use of genetically-engineered mouse models of glioma and colon cancer as well as different cell culture techniques and in vitro assays. Established record of pushing research programs forward through creative experimentation. Stellar communication abilities evidenced by publication record in peer-reviewed journals, numerous successful grant applications, poster competition awards, and presentations across different scientific and executive management groups.
Thesis title: "Convergence of c-Myb and activated beta-catenin signaling in the regulation of colon cancer genes"
- Key contributor in evaluating Champions PDX models as a diagnostic platform for personalizing chemotherapy for cancer patients.
- Managed and supported 28 different national and international research collaborations spanning from evaluation of tumor heterogeneity in PDX models to contribution of kinome rearrangements to chemotherapy resistance.
- Primary scientific and medical data manager for the Champions online database.
- Presented progress reports and program results to Scientific and Executive Management groups.
- Successfully led multi-disciplinary research team identifying how pharmacological inhibition of CDK4 affects glioma progression.
- Established the novel role of cyclin D1 and CDK4 in PDGF-mediated glioma using state-of-the-art RCAS-tvA mouse model for somatic cell gene transfer.
- Collaborated with peers to design in vivo and in vitro experiments to evaluate how cyclin D1-CDK4 impacts the tumor microenvironment and microglial cells.
- Mentored 3 summer graduate research students.
- Invited to review for the journal, Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters.
- Increased ELISA-based biomarker assay sensitivity 2-3-fold by maximizing variability in substrate usage, contributing to the award of a provisional patent on novel biosensor technologies.
- Validated and optimized clinical performance of biomarker assay using human tissue specimens from oncology patients, showing 93% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
- Collaborated with nursing and physician staff to optimize work-flow for obtaining and analyzing biological specimens, leading to program time-lines being achieved ahead of schedule.
- Prepared standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training/technical documents for biomarker assay.
- Generated and presented program reports and results for Chief Science and Executive Officers of the company.
- Oversaw outsourcing of biomarker assay to the external CRO, Cancer Trials Australia.
- Voices Against Brain Cancer grant (nationally competitive; $50,000; 2012)
- American Brain Tumor Association fellowship (nationally competitive; $80,000; 2010-2012)
- Brain Tumor Center fellowship, inaugural recipient, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center ($100,000; 2007-2009)
- Scientist to CSO: Leadership and Management certificate; New York Academy of Sciences (2012)
- Winner, poster prize competition, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Postdoctoral Symposium (2010)
- TRIM3, a tumor suppressor linked to regulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1.). Liu Y, Raheja R, Yeh N, Ciznadija D, Pedraza AM, Ozawa T, Hukkelhoven E, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P, Gauthier NP, Brennan C, Holland EC, Koff A. Oncogene; 33(3):308-15, 2014 (Impact factor; 8.6)
- Cyclin D1 and cdk4 mediate development of neurologically destructive oligodendroglioma. Ciznadija, D., Liu, Y., Pyonteck, S.M., Holland, E.C., Koff, A. Cancer Research, 71(19), 6174-6183, 2011 (Impact factor; 9.2) Editor's Pick.
- Immunohistochemistry as a technique for assessing signal transduction and cell-cycle networks in neural tumors. Ciznadija, D., Barlas, A., Manova., K. in: Signal Transduction Immunohistochemistry: Methods and Protocols edited by Alexander E. Kalyuzhny), Humana Press, 2011 Invited review
- A novel magnetic bead-based assay with high sensitivity and selectivity for analysis of telomerase in exfoliated cells from patients with bladder and colon cancer Rothacker, J., Ramsay, R.G., Ciznadija, D., Gras, E., Neylon, C.B., Elwood, N.J., Bouchier-Hayes, D., Gibbs,P., Rosenthal, M., Nice, E.C.
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School Attended
- University of Melbourne
Job Titles Held:
- External R&D Liaison/Science and Medical Writer/Database specialist
- Research Scholar/Research Associate
- Senior Research Officer
Degrees
- Ph.D
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