Donald Walker
About Donald Walker
Donald Walker is a Research Fellow with extensive experience in the field of chemistry and molecular biology. He currently works at Nektar Therapeutics and has held various research positions at notable companies including Genentech and Elan Pharmaceuticals.
Current Role at Nektar Therapeutics
Donald Walker serves as a Research Fellow at Nektar Therapeutics, a position he has held since 2019. He works in the San Francisco Bay Area, contributing to research initiatives that align with the company's focus on innovative therapeutics. His role involves applying advanced scientific techniques and methodologies to support ongoing projects.
Professional Experience at Genentech
Walker has been a Principal Research Associate at Genentech since 2014. Over his tenure of 10 years in South San Francisco, he has engaged in various research projects that contribute to the development of biopharmaceuticals. His experience in this role complements his extensive background in research and development.
Previous Positions at Elan Pharmaceuticals
Walker worked at Elan Pharmaceuticals for a total of 14 years, holding two significant positions. He was a Staff Research Associate from 1996 to 1999 and later advanced to Senior Manager, where he served from 2001 to 2012. His roles involved overseeing research initiatives and managing teams focused on drug development.
Educational Background in Chemistry and Biology
Walker earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The University of Georgia, where he studied from 1983 to 1987. He also pursued advanced studies in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, completing coursework in the PhD program from 1992 to 1994. Additionally, he attended the College of William and Mary, further enhancing his academic credentials.
Research Contributions and Techniques
Walker has made significant contributions to the field of protein analysis. He characterized toxic beta-amyloid species from cell culture media, focusing on the Amyloid Precursor Protein. He developed a novel immunoprecipitation-LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of beta-amyloid peptides from cerebrospinal fluid and utilized SILAC for the identification of protease substrates through relative quantitation.