Erica Lai, PhD
About Erica Lai, PhD
Erica Lai, PhD, is a Scientist II in Platform Development at Lyndra Therapeutics, where she has worked since 2021. She holds a PhD in Polymers and Soft Matter from MIT and has extensive experience in materials science and engineering.
Work at Lyndra Therapeutics
Erica Lai serves as Scientist II in Platform Development at Lyndra Therapeutics, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on the LYNX™ drug delivery platform, emphasizing polymer chemistry and processing to ensure consistent gastric retention. Prior to her current role, she worked as Scientist I in the same department from 2020 to 2021. Her work contributes to advancements in drug delivery technologies.
Education and Expertise
Erica Lai holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Program in Polymers and Soft Matter from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which she completed from 2014 to 2020. She also earned her Bachelor's Degree from MIT, studying from 2010 to 2014. Her academic background emphasizes materials science and engineering, with a specialization in materials characterization through rheological and mechanical testing.
Background
Erica Lai has a diverse professional background that includes various roles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She worked as an Undergraduate Researcher in both the Allanore Group and the Hamad-Schifferli Group from 2011 to 2014. Additionally, she served as a Teaching Assistant for several courses, including 3.014 (Materials Laboratory) and 3.034 (Organic & Biomaterials Chemistry). Her early career also includes internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory and GE Aviation.
Research Contributions
Erica Lai has contributed to the field of materials science through her research. She published a paper in the journal Langmuir, which focused on the adhesive properties of mussel-inspired metal-coordinate transient gels. This work highlights her expertise in polymer chemistry and materials characterization.
Internship Experience
Erica Lai has gained valuable experience through various internships. She interned at Wolf Greenfield in 2013 for one month and worked as a Research Intern at Brookhaven National Laboratory for two months in the same year. Additionally, she completed an internship at GE Aviation in 2012, focusing on airfoil materials development. Her early internship experiences have contributed to her professional development in the field.