Leslie Balch
About Leslie Balch
Leslie Balch serves as the Director of Antibody Discovery at Vaccinex, a position held since 2022. With extensive experience in antibody and vaccine research, Balch has worked in various roles at Vaccinex and previously at Wyeth, contributing to clinical assays and antibody selection techniques.
Work at Vaccinex
Leslie Balch has been serving as the Director of Antibody Discovery at Vaccinex since 2022. In this role, Balch oversees the antibody discovery process, utilizing her extensive experience in clinical assays and antibody development. Prior to her current position, she held multiple roles at Vaccinex, including Team Leader, Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, and Senior Research Associate, accumulating a total of 19 years of experience with the company. Her tenure at Vaccinex has contributed to advancements in antibody and vaccine research.
Education and Expertise
Leslie Balch earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she studied from 1994 to 1998. Her educational background laid the foundation for her expertise in various scientific techniques, including phage panning, which is essential for selecting specific antibodies from a library. Balch's knowledge extends to running clinical assays that are critical for the development and validation of vaccines and antibodies.
Background
Leslie Balch began her career in the biotechnology field at Wyeth, where she worked as a Laboratory Technician from 1997 to 1998. She then progressed to roles such as Scientist I, Scientist II, and Research Associate at Wyeth from 1998 to 2003. This five-year experience provided her with a solid foundation in scientific research and development. Balch's strong background includes working under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions, ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.
Professional Experience
Over her career, Leslie Balch has accumulated significant experience in the biotechnology sector. After her initial role at Wyeth, she joined Vaccinex, where she held various positions leading up to her current role as Director of Antibody Discovery. Her involvement in the development of both mammalian and bacterial production systems has been instrumental in advancing antibody and vaccine research. Balch's extensive experience in clinical assays and antibody selection techniques positions her as a key contributor in her field.