Ayesha Murshid
About Ayesha Murshid
Ayesha Murshid serves as the Associate Director of Biomarker Development at Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc., where she has worked since 2022. With over 15 years of experience in oncology research, she has contributed significantly to biomarker discovery and clinical trials.
Work at Acrivon Therapeutics
Ayesha Murshid currently serves as the Associate Director of Biomarker Development at Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc., a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on advancing biomarker strategies to support clinical development. Prior to her current title, she worked as a Principal Scientist in the same department from 2021 to 2022, contributing to the development of innovative biomarker assays. Her work at Acrivon has included significant involvement in the clinical trial of ACR-368 (Prexasertib), where she identified a panel of biomarkers critical for the drug's efficacy.
Education and Expertise
Ayesha Murshid holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cell Biology and Anatomy from McGill University, where she studied from 2002 to 2008. She also earned a Master of Science (MS) in Biology with a focus on Microbiology from Long Island University. Additionally, she completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, achieving both BSc (honors) and MSc degrees at the University of Dhaka. Her extensive educational background underpins her expertise in oncology research, particularly in translational medicine, immune oncology, and precision medicine.
Background in Research
Ayesha Murshid has over 15 years of experience in oncology research, with a strong emphasis on biomarker discovery and development. She began her research career as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School from 2007 to 2010, followed by a position as Junior Faculty from 2010 to 2019. During her tenure at Harvard, she developed skills in conducting advanced research and collaborating across various disciplines. Her experience includes significant contributions to biomarker expression screening in solid tumor indications during Eli Lilly’s Prexasertib study.
Achievements in Biomarker Development
Throughout her career, Ayesha Murshid has led the development of a multiplex immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry (IF/IHC) based biomarker assay for patient stratification. This assay was successfully transferred to a CLIA lab environment and a companion diagnostics (CDx) partner for use in clinical trials. Her work has been instrumental in enhancing the understanding of biomarkers in oncology, facilitating more effective patient treatment strategies.
Collaborative Skills and Interdisciplinary Work
Ayesha Murshid has demonstrated strong relationship-building skills in interdisciplinary settings. She has effectively collaborated with cross-functional experts from academia, clinical environments, and the biotechnology industry. Her ability to engage with diverse teams has been crucial in advancing biomarker research and development initiatives, ensuring that projects benefit from a wide range of expertise and perspectives.