Stephen Won

Biography

Contributing to multiple projects of national security interest, focusing on the application of advanced methodologies in the field of immunology and biochemistry:

• Generative Drug Engineering: Engaging in research that utilizes machine learning techniques to design and optimize broad-spectrum antibodies aimed at combating viral pathogens. This project emphasizes the innovative use of generative models to not only create new antibodies but also to modify existing ones, enhancing their efficacy against a range of viral threats. The integration of computational approaches with experimental validation is crucial for accelerating the development of therapeutic antibodies.
• Protein-Protein Interaction Modeling: Involved in the development of sophisticated models to analyze protein-protein interactions (PPIs). This research aims to identify antibodies that can effectively neutralize viruses within a specific viral family. By employing transfer learning techniques, the project seeks to adapt insights gained from one viral family to improve the predictive accuracy of PPIs in related viruses. This approach enhances our understanding of antibody specificity and cross-reactivity, which is vital for designing effective antiviral therapies.
• Bi-Specific Antibody Development: Focused on creating bi-specific antibodies capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to target specific alpha viruses, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV), and Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV). This research investigates the impact of complementarity-determining region (CDR) framework shuffling on the developability, functionality, and affinity maturation of these antibodies. Understanding how structural modifications influence antibody performance is essential for developing effective treatments for viral infections that affect the central nervous system.

Education

B.S. Biology, Birmingham-Southern College, Class of 2020

Research Interests

• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Virology