Spencer Alford

Spencer Alford has a diverse work experience in the field of biotechnology and research. They currently hold the position of VP, Biologics R&D at Kala Pharmaceuticals, which they started in November 2021. Prior to this, they worked at Combangio, Inc. as the VP of Research & Development from November 2018 to November 2021.

Before their roles in industry, they co-founded and served as a Principal Scientist at xCella Biosciences from December 2015 to October 2018. They also gained research experience while working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stanford University from July 2013 to December 2015, where they focused on high-throughput analysis and protein engineering using microcapillary arrays.

Spencer Alford's earlier experience includes a role as a Research Associate at the University of Victoria, where they worked on the regulation of Pax6 by miRNA in the pancreas from October 2012 to June 2013. Prior to that, they pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Alberta, where they conducted research on directed evolution and engineering of fluorescent proteins from September 2007 to August 2012. They also held a Teaching Assistant position during their Ph.D. program from September 2007 to April 2012.

Additionally, Spencer Alford gained experience as a Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Institution for Science from January 2010 to April 2010. They also worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Victoria from September 2005 to May 2007 and as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Biomedical Research from May 2004 to August 2004. They started their career as a Research Technician at Protox Therapeutics from September 2003 to December 2003.

Spencer Alford has a strong educational background in the field of biochemistry and microbiology. Spencer started their academic journey by obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of Victoria between 2000 and 2005. Following this, they pursued a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from the same university from 2005 to 2007. Building upon their expertise, Spencer then went on to complete their Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Alberta from 2007 to 2012.