Helena Sun, Ph.D.

Helena Sun, Ph.D., has a diverse work experience in the field of biosciences. Helena is currently serving as the Team Lead of Product Development at Alamar Biosciences, Inc. since 2023. Prior to this, they worked at Nanǵomix, where they held the position of Associate Director of Assay Development from November 2020 to May 2023. Helena was responsible for leading research and development projects for point of care IVD assays. Helena also served as a Senior Scientist in Product Development from March 2018 to November 2020 at Nanǵomix.

Before joining Nanǵomix, Dr. Sun worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Scientist III in Molecular Biology - Clinical Diagnostics from February 2016 to March 2018. Their work included conducting research and developing molecular biology techniques for clinical diagnostics.

From 2008 to 2015, Dr. Sun was a PhD Graduate Student Researcher at UCSD/Salk Institute, focusing on studying the evolution of enzyme structure and function in plant specialized metabolism. Their research involved various techniques such as high-throughput sequencing, protein/enzyme mutagenesis, and X-ray crystallographic structure solving.

In 2012, they briefly worked as a Consultant at Oxbridge Biotechnology Roundtable Consulting. Helena also served as the Biology Department Representative at UCSD Graduate Student Association from July 2011 to August 2012, representing the interests of Biology Grad students and contributing to department committees.

Dr. Sun began their career as a Research Assistant at Sangamo BioSciences from December 2005 to May 2008, where they were involved in research projects.

Overall, Dr. Helena Sun, with their extensive work experience in various roles and companies, brings a wealth of expertise in product development, assay development, molecular biology, and plant specialized metabolism.

Helena Sun, Ph.D., earned their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, from 2002 to 2006. Helena then pursued their passion for Biological Sciences at UC San Diego, where they completed their Ph.D. from 2008 to 2015.