Welcome to My Professional Journey

Chemist, Microbiologist, and Data Scientist

I am a multifaceted scientist with a comprehensive background in chemistry, microbiology, virology, genetics, and data science, all seamlessly integrated towards innovating in drug discovery and machine learning technologies. Holding a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, I currently leverage my analytical skills in the research and development of an FDA-approved influenza vaccine at CSL Seqirus. In this role, I adeptly balance hands-on genetic experimentation in the wet lab with leading-edge bioinformatic research, undertaking complex foundational RNA-Seq work. My expertise in data science is highlighted by a profound proficiency in Python and R, tools I utilize to dissect and interpret diverse data streams. This technical prowess is augmented by a deep and evolving knowledge of SQL, essential for navigating intricate data structures. My professional curiosity also encompasses the cutting-edge domain of multi-cloud environments, where I excel in deploying and scaling machine learning models, ensuring they provide critical insights across various platforms.

About Me

Current Role

At CSL Seqirus, I was selected for my ability to innovate beyond traditional boundaries, serving as a key contributor in the virology development team. My dual role orchestrates a diverse array of tasks, from pioneering genetic manipulations in the wet lab, creating genetically modified influenza strains, to spearheading bioinformatic strategies. This includes the construction of detailed DNA and RNA cell atlases from scratch, utilizing RNA-Seq to augment the efficiency of influenza virus production in animal cell lines.

Startup Experience

My journey with Agile Sciences was defined by leading drug screening and discovery initiatives. I developed a cutting-edge high-throughput drug screening library, identifying candidates that challenge biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. My role as a foundational intellectual asset for the company's IP was solidified by my extensive subject matter expertise.

Graduate Training

Mentored by Dr. Christian Melander, I refined my skills in organic synthesis, delving into targeted drug screening and high-throughput applications. My capabilities expanded to include ADME and pilot toxicity screening, as well as the design and oversight of drug pipelines. This extensive training also involved creating and evaluating animal models for drug candidate testing.

Undergraduate Training

During my undergraduate studies, I conducted pivotal research with Dr. Beverly Koller, focusing on the development of genetically modified murine models. My early exposure to large-scale PCR was crucial in managing a substantial mouse colony. My contributions were instrumental in breakthroughs understanding mouse immune responses and modeling genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Familial Mediterranean Fever, forming the foundation for my scientific career.

Projects

Web Scraping and Exploratory Data Analysis

I led a project targeting bringatrailer.com, where I skillfully built a comprehensive database of 5,000 completed auctions. This dataset underwent meticulous cleaning and analysis using Python libraries, enhancing data visualization. The insights were shared in a Kaggle notebook, fostering public engagement and collaboration.

RAG-Supplemented Car Chatbot

In response to complex automobile inquiries, I developed a chatbot equipped with retrieval-augmented generation. This tool enhances responses with data from Wikipedia and other reliable sources, empowering users to research cars confidently and informatively.

Proprietary Bioinformatics Projects

Focusing on the influenza genome, my proprietary projects deepen understanding and predictive capabilities. One tool, based on a protein-BERT model fine-tuned with in-house influenza protein sequences, offers predictive insights into strain yields. Additionally, I have designed Python pipelines for in-depth analysis and visualization of the genetic flux within the influenza genome, significantly advancing our understanding of viral behavior and vaccine development.

Publications

  1. J Bailey, LA Gallagher, WT Barker, VB Hubble, J Gasper, C Melander, and C Manoil. "Genetic Dissection of Antibiotic Adjuvant Activity." mBio, January 2022
  2. WT Barker. "Small Molecules that Synergize with Colistin" Doctoral Dissertation, University of Notre Dame. June 2020
  3. WT Barker, LA Jania, RJ Melander, BH Koller, and C Melander. "Eukaryotic Phosphatase Inhibitors Enhance Colistin Efficacy in Gram-negative Bacteria." Chemical Biology and Drug Design. June 2020
  4. AM Nemeth, AK Basak, AW Weig, SA Marrujo, WT Barker, LA Jania, TA Hendricks, AE Sullivan, PM O’Connor, RJ Melander, BH Koller, and C Melander. "Structure-Function Studies on IMD-0354 Identifies Highly Active Colistin Adjuvants." ChemMedChem, November 2019
  5. WT Barker, AM Nemeth, SM Brackett, AK Basak, CE Chandler, WJ Zuercher, RJ Melander, RK Ernst, and C Melander. "Repurposing Eukaryotic Kinase Inhibitors as Colistin Adjuvants in Gram-negative Bacteria." ACS Infectious Diseases, August 2019
  6. BM Minrovic, VB Hubble, WT Barker, LA Jania, RJ Melander, BH Koller, and C Melander. “Second-Generation Tryptamine Derivatives Potently Sensitize Colistin-resistant Bacteria to Colistin” ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, April 2019
  7. WT Barker, CE Chandler, RJ Melander, RK Ernst, and C Melander. “Tryptamine Derivatives Disarm Colistin Resistance in Polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative Bacteria” Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, March 2019
  8. WM Huggins, WT Barker, JT Baker, NA Hanh, RJ Melander, and C Melander. “Meridianin D Analogs Display Antibiofilm Activity Against MRSA and Increase Colistin Efficacy in Gram-Negative Bacteria” ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, May 2018
  9. WT Barker, SE Martin, CE Chandler, TV Nguyen, TL Harris, C Goodell, RJ Melander, Y Doi, RK Ernst, and C Melander. “Small Molecule Adjuvants that Suppress both Chromosomal and mcr-1 Encoded Colistin Resistance and Amplify Colistin Efficacy in Polymyxin-susceptible Bacteria” Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, October 2017