Pricilla Walters

Pricilla Walters has been working in the field of biotechnology since 2016. In 2021, they began working as a Senior Research Associate at Tentarix Biotherapeutics, Inc., where they set up AKTA pure and AKTA avant systems to run queued and tandem methods to expedite protein production from 5 to ~20 purified proteins per week at both small- and large-scale projects. Pricilla also developed two-step purification methods for multifunctional biologics (protein A affinity and SEC) as well as IMAC methods for other proteins, and developed quality control methods such as endotoxin testing by LAL, SDS-PAGE, aSCX and aSEC, for testing of in house purified proteins.

Prior to this, they worked at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from 2018-2021, where they held two roles. Firstly, they were a Research Technologist (Structural Biology), where they aimed to express, purify and perform quality control analysis on relevant proteins for projects conducted by postdoctoral and staff scientists. Secondly, they were a Research Technologist (Protein Production Facility), where their aim was to provide high quality yet low-cost purified proteins to the research staff of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

From 2016-2018, they were a Research Assistant at the University of North Florida, where they harvested and isolated wild yeast from fruiting bodies which were deposited into the lab's yeast bank to test brewing potential. Pricilla also developed a preliminary protocol for cloning, expressing, and purifying phenolic acid decarboxylase (PAD), an enzyme that metabolizes hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), and tested tolerance levels of several Brettanomyces yeast species against varying pH, ethanol, and temperature ranges as well as the optimal activity of PAD and its affinity towards various HCAs.

In 2015, they were an Assistant Rowing Coach at Stanton-Riverbank Rowing, where they coached Women's JV, Men's JV, and sculling boats which won or placed in top 3 at regattas such as; First Coast Head Race, Head of the South, Jacksonville Invitational, Stanton Invitational, Jacksonville City Championship, Southeast Regional, and USRowing Youth Nationals. Pricilla also maintained equipment, facilities, and inventory in proper order to avoid accidents, mishaps and damage, and implemented exercise programs and training strategies, which bolstered individual and team performance.

Pricilla Walters attended Stetson University from 2011 to 2013, where they studied Biology, General. Pricilla then attended the University of North Florida from 2015 to 2017, where they earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology - Molecular/Cell Biology & Biotechnology.