Ines Cadena
Research Associate @Oregon State University College Of Pharmacy
Signup · Get unlimited contacts
WORK HISTORY
Research Associate @Oregon State University College Of Pharmacy
Corvallis, OR, US
In my current role, I focus on designing and implementing advanced 3D in vitro models to study Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and host–pathogen interactions, as well as exploring biomaterial applications in tissue engineering. My work spans from infection modeling to laboratory development and funding initiatives, bridging academic research with translational applications.Key projects and activities- Design and engineer 3D in vitro epithelial models using primary and immortalized cell lines to investigate host–pathogen interactions in sexually transmitted infections, including but not limited to Neisseria gonorrhoeae- Assess epithelial barrier integrity with TEER and fluorescence microscopy pre- and post-infection- Quantify bacterial adhesion, invasion, and translocation using CFU assays- Develop immunological and preventive applications for pathogen response studies- Perform market research and assess translational potential of biomaterials for tissue engineering applications- Lead laboratory setup, including establishing a new cell culture BSL-2 lab and SOPs- Contribute to federal grant writing and funding acquisition for lab and personal research projects- Collaborate across interdisciplinary teams to support translational research initiatives.
EDUCATION
Oregon State University
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Chemical Engineering
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Chemical Engineering
ABOUT INES CADENA
I\'m a highly motivated scientist with a strong track record of independently designing and leading complex, translational projects to advance potential therapeutics for gynecological cancers and drug screening assays for STIs. I bring over six years of experience spanning academia (PhD, Postdoc, Research Associate), large pharma (Genentech internship), and early-stage startups (37 Degrees, Inc.), demonstrating adaptability and success in diverse environments. In my current position in Dr. Aleksandra Sikora’s lab at Oregon State University, I apply tissue-engineering approaches to develop preventive therapeutics for sexually transmitted infections, with a focus on Neisseria gonorrhoeae. My work centers on engineering human-relevant 3D models to reduce in vivo experimentation and integrate innovative tools to advance current standards of care. In parallel, I’m developing applications for collagen extracted from Pacific Northwest fish skin waste for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. My research aims to bridge academic discovery and industry innovation by translating engineered tissue platforms and sustainable biomaterials into impactful solutions for human health.My technical expertise includes cell-based assay development, high-throughput drug screening, statistical optimization, biomaterials, and high-content image analysis.
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.