Poonam Sonawane

Poonam Sonawane has worked in a variety of roles in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. In 2022, they began working as a Senior Scientist at Carisma Therapeutics. From 2016 to 2022, they were a Research Scientist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where they led and managed projects for the pediatric brain tumor preclinical model development, targetable biomarkers identification and drug testing team, as well as led projects in identifying co-occurring mutations/biomarkers by next generation sequencing along with the loss of NF1 (neurofibromatosis I) in pediatric low grade glioma tumors. From 2014 to 2016, they were a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Wake Forest School of Medicine, where they developed novel multi-compartment targeted antitumor immunotherapy using bispecific antibody drug conjugate (ADC) proteins against glioblastoma multiforme. From 2008 to 2014, they were a Graduate Research Assistant at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where they performed SNP genotyping assays on neuroblastoma patient DNA samples and developed and performed validation of HPLC methods for analyzing various anticancer drugs and compounds. From 2007 to 2008, they were an Assistant Pharmacist at Eisen Pharmaceuticals PVT LTD, where they supervised manufacturing process of oral cough syrup and tablets according to FDA and GMP requirements. From 2005 to 2007, they were a Quality Control Assistant at Libra Chemical.

Poonam Sonawane completed their Bachelor of Science (BS) in Pharmacy from Savitribai Phule Pune University between 2003 and 2007. Poonam then went on to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacology and Neuroscience from Texas Tech University, which they completed in 2013.