Drug Discovery Co-op
Background
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent an entirely new class of genetic medicine. By encapsulating genetic payloads within a lipid shell, they enable targeted delivery of gene therapy and editing to specific cells. The technology has already produced several approved medicines including mRNA vaccines. However, major challenges in delivery efficiency, immunogenicity, and manufacturability prevent LNPs from reaching their full therapeutic potential. GenerationBio was built specifically to solve what remains.
My Role
I was placed on the drug delivery team as part of the analytical assay group (AAG). My primary responsibility was to develop new analytical assays that would support the characterization and optimization of novel LNP formulations entering the pipeline.
Over my co-op period I developed three distinct assays. The first was a pKa assay, where I applied process optimization techniques to improve the throughput and reproducibility of an existing measurement. The second was an endosomal stability assay — a genuinely novel approach to measuring how well LNP formulations survive the harsh acidic environment inside cellular endosomes, which is a critical step in successful gene delivery.
The third project, an endosomal escape assay, proved the most technically challenging. Directly measuring the fraction of genetic payload that successfully escapes into the cytoplasm had never been cleanly solved. I made meaningful progress defining the methodology and identifying the core technical barriers, but the project remained open when my term ended — the best kind of problem to hand off.
Alongside assay development I maintained routine drug product responsibilities: formulating LNP batches, performing batch record control, and operating under strict sterile technique. I performed statistical data analysis across the group's outputs and presented findings company-wide at the end of my term.
Culture
GenerationBio had one of the best work cultures I have experienced. Recognition was immediate and genuine — contributions at any level were acknowledged quickly and publicly. Leadership was unusually transparent about the company's scientific direction and strategic priorities, which made it easy to understand how individual projects connected to the broader mission.
The company maintained strong and sincere DEI commitments at every level of the organization, which contributed to a remarkably collaborative and respectful environment. I was invited to stay on full-time after my co-op concluded, which I chose to continue alongside completing my degree.