About Me
Hello! I am an organic chemist and biochemist with a BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. My research interests are in the synthesis and evaluation of novel DNA and protein targeting small organic molecules.
PhD Dissertation
Boron-based theranostics and prodrugs: design, synthesis, mechanism and biological investigation (2024, UWM Digital Commons)
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
1. R&D Scientist Level III (October 2024 – Current)
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Rockford, IL)
- Manage multiple concurrent projects as a Research and Development (R&D) organic synthetic chemist for the development of products related to protein cell analysis
- Synthesis of novel green detergents (91 and 92), photoactivatable small molecules for stain-free detection of proteins in gel, and biotin-PEG for bioconjugation
- Maintain lab notebook records of experimental procedures, data and observations
- Utilize synthetic organic chemistry techniques, including kilogram multi-step synthesis, purification (column chromatography, extraction and recrystallization), and characterization (TLC, NMR, LC-MS, FTIR, QNMR, HPLC-PDA)
- Analyze molecules for physical and functional properties, including stability, purity, melting point, Krafft point, CMC and western blot applications
2. Postdoctoral Fellow (July 2024 – October 2024)
Concordia University Wisconsin; Advisor: Prof. Cunningham (Mequon, WI)
- Designed, synthesized and characterized novel sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) inhibitors as endocannabinoid/cannabinoid system modulators for treatment of anxiety and stress
- Hit-to-lead discovery, SAR synthesis and optimization of small organic molecules for targeting membrane-bound proteins
- Maintained lab notebook records of experimental procedures, data, and observations
- Utilized synthetic organic chemistry techniques, including multi-step synthesis, purification, and characterization (NMR, purity score, MS and melting point)
- Routine upkeep of research equipment, including Varian 500 MHz NMR, Thermo Dionex 3000 HPLC-DAD, Sciex 4000 triple quad LC/MS and Biotage flash chromatography
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to interpret the results of structure-activity
3. Research and Teaching Assistant (September 2019 – May 2024)
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee; Advisor: Prof. Peng (Milwaukee, WI)
- Designed novel theranostic and prodrug nitrogen mustards as anticancer molecules
- Performed multi-step synthesis (>13 steps) of oxygen-, water-, light-sensitive reactions
- Isolated and purified compounds by column chromatography, distillation, precipitation, recrystallization, and trituration resulting in 4 novel theranostics and 2 prodrugs
- Characterized molecules utilizing TLC, NMR (Bruker), HPLC-MS (Shimadzu), HPLC (Thermo Dionex and Vanquish), HRMS Q-TOF (Shimadzu), UV/VIS, fluorescence (Perkin Elmer LS 55)
- Evaluated theranostics and prodrugs using cytotoxicity and fluorescence colocalization assays in vitro with TNBC MDA-MB-468 cell line (confocal microscopes EVOS FL and Zeiss 710)
- Synthesized oligonucleotides by automated solid-phase synthesis (ABI 394), purification (MALDI-TOF and UV/VIS) and 32P radiolabeling of oligo and DNA-drug interaction study
- Determined safety and anticancer efficacy of compounds in in vivo CD1 and xenograft athymic mice study following IACUC approved guidelines
- Determined physiochemical properties of small molecules (solubility and permeability)
- Determined photophysical properties of fluorescent dyes
- Determined prodrug activation mechanism in vitro and in vivo through deuterium isotope-labeled mustard prodrugs (isotopologues)
- Trained and supervised undergraduate students in research and teaching laboratories
4. Quality Control Lab Technician (January 2018 – April 2019)
MetalTek International (Waukesha, WI)
- Operated analytical instruments, including LECO carbon/sulfur and nitrogen/oxygen instruments, x-ray, and arc optical emission spectrometers
- Maintained and standardized instruments following Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) approved protocols
- Performed routine analysis of heterogeneous metals for determination of elemental composition
SKILLS
- Synthetic organic chemistry, laboratory techniques and instrumentation
- Click CuAAC, boron chemistry and heterocycle reactions
- Knowledge of the anticancer drug development process
- Microsoft Office, ChemDraw, ChemSketch, SciFinder, Reaxys, Shimadzu LabSolutions, Bruker TopSpin, ImageJ, Zeiss Zen, QuPath, GraphPad Prism, MestReNova, ELN LabGuru, Sigma CMC and VarioSkan LUX microplate reader
AUXILIARY SKILLS
- Ability to maintain lab safety, lab cleanliness, lab notebook and meet deadlines
- Ability to rationally design and synthesize organic molecules
- Adherence to QMS and Regulatory Compliance Standards (ISO 9001 and GLP)
AWARDS
- UWM Chancellor’s Award (2019 – 2022)
- UWM Graduate School Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) Award (2023 – 2024)
PATENT
- Peng, X.; Saxon, E., Hydrogen Peroxide Responsive Theranostics. Patent 2025, US provisional patent WO2025165931A1 Espacenet Patent
PUBLICATIONS
- Saxon, E.; Stambekova D., Clark J.R., Peng, X. H2O2-Responsive Anticancer Prodrug: Synthesis, Precision Deuteration in Search of in vivo Metabolites, and Activation Pathway. J. Med. Chem. (2025) doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c01975
- Saxon, E.; Ali, T.; Peng, X. (2024), Hydrogen Peroxide Responsive Theranostics for Cancer-Selective Activation of DNA Alkylators and Real-Time Fluorescence Monitoring in Living Cells. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2024, doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116695
- Saxon, E.; Peng, X. (2021), Recent Advances in Hydrogen Peroxide Responsive Organoborons for Biological and Biomedical Applications. ChemBioChem. 2021, doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202100366
- Fan, H.; Zaman, M. A. U.; Chen, W.; Ali, T.; Campbell, A.; Zhang, Q.; Setu, N. I.; Saxon, E.; Zahn, N. M.; Benko, A. M.; Arnold, L. A.; Peng, X., Assessment of Phenylboronic Acid Nitrogen Mustards as Potent and Selective Drug Candidates for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2021, 4 (2), 687-702, doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.0c00092
PRESENTATIONS
- Saxon E., Peng X., DNA Sequencing: Modern Techniques and Application (2020). UWM Graduate Seminar, Milwaukee WI.
- Saxon E., Peng X., Synthesis of a Novel Phenyl Boronic Ester Nitrogen Mustard Analog (2021). Poster at the UWM Spring Symposium, Milwaukee WI.
- Saxon, E., Peng, X. Biological Application of a Novel DNA-Alkylating Theranostic Agent (2022). Poster at the ACS Fall 2022 Conference, Chicago IL.
- Saxon E., Peng X., Synthesis and Application of a Novel DNA Alkylating Theranostic Agent. (2022). Seminar at the UW-Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery Symposium, Milwaukee WI.