Current Position: Associate Director for Antibody Engineering, Tri-Institutional Therapeutic Discovery Institute (Tri-I TDI)
Einstein Alumna: Research Associate Professor and Einstein Postdoctoral Research Scholar from the lab of Dr. Jon Lai
![Elisabeth (Betty) K. Nyakatura, Ph.D.]()
Elisabeth K. Nyakatura, Ph.D.
Using her strong track record in protein engineering and directed evolution for the generation of immunotherapeutics, Betty was hired as Associate Director for antibody engineering at Tri-Institutional Therapeutic Discovery Institute. At Tri-I TDI, Betty currently collaborates with academic labs from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell to initiate therapeutic antibody development projects.
Betty is also passionate about teaching, mentoring, and promoting professional development of junior researchers and is an ardent advocate for equitable access to high-quality science education. At Einstein she co-founded and coordinated Einstein Talks! Science Café, an event series geared towards undergraduates from Bronx community colleges, that combines science communication, networking, and community outreach. She also volunteered with New York Cares as a team leader and mentor for the “Mad Scientist” Afterschool Program.
At Einstein, Betty took advantage of the many programs and opportunities offered by the CPD, including coming in for one-on-one career coaching appointments. “I never knew the importance of a career mentor, until having Dr. Safer around! Her help and endless support through the entire process of my job search have been invaluable. Dr. Safer couched me in countless one on one meetings, email exchanges, and short notice phone calls.”
In addition, Betty attended and benefited from the workshops and seminars organized by the CPD. These programs helped Betty “understand (and discover) different academic and nonacademic career paths for scientists, as well as to grasp the entire scope of the job hunt.”
Posted on: Wednesday, February 26, 2020