Catherine Sierra
About Catherine Sierra
Catherine Sierra is a Senior Research Associate I at Kite Pharma, where she generates and characterizes various protein reagents and supports multiple teams. She has a background in protein sciences, having worked at Juno Therapeutics and the University of California, Davis, and has co-authored patents and published research in peer-reviewed journals.
Work at Kite Pharma
Catherine Sierra currently holds the position of Senior Research Associate I at Kite Pharma, where she has been employed since 2020. In this role, she supports multiple teams by generating and characterizing various protein reagents, including bispecifics, monoclonal antibodies, and fluorescent conjugates. She plays a significant role in performing stability assays on critical reagents to assist in Process Development. Additionally, she conducts binding assays, epitope binning, and high-resolution affinity and kinetic studies to characterize protein interactions. Catherine was instrumental in establishing workflows for purification, analytics, and characterization in a new Protein Science lab at Kite Pharma.
Education and Expertise
Catherine Sierra earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2015. Her academic background has provided her with a solid foundation in the principles of chemistry and biochemistry, which she applies in her research. Catherine's expertise includes protein purification, characterization, and the development of assays to study protein interactions. Her educational achievements and professional experiences have equipped her with the skills necessary for her current role in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Background
Before her tenure at Kite Pharma, Catherine Sierra worked at Juno Therapeutics, Inc. from 2016 to 2020. She initially served as a Research Associate in Protein Sciences for two years, followed by a promotion to Senior Research Associate in the fields of Immuno-Oncology and Cellular Therapy. Her experience at Juno Therapeutics allowed her to deepen her knowledge in protein sciences and contribute to innovative research in the field. Earlier in her career, she worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, from 2013 to 2015.
Patents and Publications
Catherine Sierra has co-authored patents related to protein purification and characterization, reflecting her contributions to advancing research in protein sciences. Additionally, she has published research in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on protein-protein interactions. These publications underscore her commitment to scientific inquiry and her role in contributing to the body of knowledge within her field.
Previous Experience
In addition to her roles in biopharmaceutical research, Catherine Sierra worked as a Private Tutor for Varsity Tutors from 2013 to 2016. This experience allowed her to develop her communication and teaching skills while supporting students in their academic pursuits. Her diverse background in research and education enhances her capabilities in her current role at Kite Pharma.