Juliana Velez Lujan, Ph.D.

Juliana Velez Lujan, Ph.D. has a diverse range of work experience in various scientific roles. Juliana currently serves as a Senior Scientist at ImmunoScape, where they are responsible for setting up, developing, and optimizing processes for manufacturing T cells expressing T Cell Receptors of interest. Juliana also conducts cell-based immunoassays for T Cell receptor screening and functionality, as well as primary T cell validation and development.

Prior to their role at ImmunoScape, Dr. Velez Lujan worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher-Scientist at the University of California San Diego from 2016 to 2021. During this time, they manufactured Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells and tested their phenotype, functionality, and in-vivo activity. Juliana also screened the plasma from patients treated with cellular therapy to identify neo-antigens inducing humoral immunity. Additionally, they analyzed and validated biomarkers to identify feasible targets for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and other types of cancer.

Before that, they were a PhD Candidate at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 2015 and a Graduate Student Research Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2013 to 2015. During their time at MD Anderson, they designed and executed in-vitro and in-vivo experiments to determine cytotoxicity, phenotype, differentiation, metabolic changes, and other parameters of lead compounds. Juliana also conducted pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic experiments.

Dr. Velez Lujan also served as a Graduate Student Research Assistant at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana from 2012 to 2013, where they conducted in-vitro experiments on leukemia cell lines and primary samples to determine cytotoxicity, synergy, resistance factors, and metabolic changes. Juliana also performed mitochondrial extraction and western blotting and analyzed and interpreted data.

Additionally, they have experience as a Medical-Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Ecopetrol from 2011 to 2012, where they collected and analyzed tissues and body fluids for clinical diagnosis. Juliana also conducted basic microorganism detection and blood typing for transfusions.

Earlier in their career, they worked as a Research Assistant at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana from 2010 to 2011. In this role, they managed budgets, searched and ordered reagents, and conducted various in-vitro experiments to determine viability, apoptosis, synergy, resistance factors, and metabolic changes.

Overall, Juliana Velez Lujan, Ph.D. has extensive experience in T cell manufacturing, cellular therapy, biomarker discovery, and cancer research. Their expertise spans both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments and includes data analysis and interpretation.

Juliana Velez Lujan, Ph.D. earned their Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Juliana pursued further education at the same university and completed their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological Sciences/Biochemistry. The Ph.D. degree was awarded in the period from 2012 to 2016.