Jj Bivona

About Jj Bivona

My name is JJ and I\'m biomedical scientist who is always eager to chase the next big technology, learn a new skill, or make a new connection. On the side I design and make biological models for fellow scientists. Check out my posts or head to jjbdesignlab.comWhat I\'ve been up over the last few years:I\'m currently a Senior Scientist at Orna Therapeutics. I can\'t tell you too much, but I develop exploratory LNPs using DOE methodology!Prior to Orna, I worked at Prime Medicine as a Scientist II in LNP Discovery. I helped lead a project involving bioconjugation and LNP optimization for HSC and T cell gene editing. I then shifted my efforts towards lung delivery, and worked on both in vivo and air-liquid interface delivery with LNPs. As a member of the LNP Discovery Team, my responsibilities encompassed not only formulation, but also the in vivo evaluation (flow cytometry, imaging, NGS) and in vitro models. We utilized high throughput screening with barcoded LNPs to find the best formulations for every organ system. It was always busy, but also a lot of fun!Before Prime I was at Aera Therapeutics where I worked on the process development of virus-like protein nanoparticles for mRNA delivery.At Saliogen I developed LNPs for mRNA and pDNA delivery. These formulations spanned a wide range of ionizable and helper lipids and included the conjugation of cell penetrating peptides and targeting molecules. In addition to formulating LNPs, I was also responsible for evaluation of T cells and in vitro efficiency on hepatocytes. As side projects I assisted in the scale up of LNP formulation and purification, designed novel DNA-peptide conjugates, and developed assays for the nuclear fractionation of murine samples. In addition to my R&D work at Saliogen and my CDMO experience at Vernal Biosciences, my training at the University of Connecticut and University of Vermont has spanned a wide range of topics including innate immunology, lung and muscle physiology, exercise science, mRNA vaccine development, and biomedical device prototyping. I am constantly looking for the \'shiny object\' to tinker with and apply to my research.

Experience

1. Senior Scientist

   Orna Therapeutics

   Sep 2025 — Present

Education

• University of Vermont

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences

  2016 — 2021

• University of Connecticut

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  2013 — 2015

• The Catholic University of America

  Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  2012 — 2013

Skills

• Teamwork
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr)
• C. Elegans
• Spanish
• Laboratory Skills
• Pcr
• Critical Thinking
• Biology
• Microsoft Office
• Time Management
• Communication
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Genetics
• Microsoft Word
• Research
• Social Media
• Cell Culture
• Antioxidants
• Elisa