7 minute read
Following the Science
Bridgton Alumnus Works to Heal Through Biotechnology
Nearly a decade ago, Julian Quinones ’08 interviewed for a job at a small start-up in Cambridge, Massachusetts known at the time as Moderna Therapeutics. A recent college graduate with a degree in biotechnology, Julian had a zeal for scientific research that he was hoping to put to work. He soon began a career with Moderna, embracing the small company and their mission and jumping into his research associate tasks with big aspirations.
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Even as a young child, Julian had a natural interest in the scientific world. “One of the first books I ever read was an anatomy book,” Quinones shares. “I was probably six or seven. By the time I was eight, I knew every bone and bone marking in the body. I always thought that I wanted to be an orthopedist; however, when I got to college and started shadowing some orthopedic surgeons, I realized that patient care wasn’t really for me. The surgeries were cool, but I didn’t think they were that cool. I was a on a premed track and started to freak out a bit when I realized how many of my youthful years I would have to spend in school, studying to be in a field I wasn’t truly passionate about. I wasn’t sure what to do.”
Just when his career-path crisis was coming to a bit of a head, an opportunity came along that would change everything for Julian. One of his professors was looking for a student interested in doing summer lab research. This well-timed internship introduced Julian to a whole new way of thinking about helping patients. “As my internship went along, I realized that I was super into what I was doing. This was work that would still allow me to assist patients, but away from the doctor’s office. I could work at the bench and still have a big impact. My internship was supposed to be three months and ended up being close to a year. My senior thesis, which studied the role of inflammatory cytokines in lupus, was based on the work I did in that lab. I learned a lot about what goes into research and the scientific rigor that is expected. I’m a natural critical thinker, so this work was fun for me. It was a neat way to apply my skills in an area that I hadn’t ever really thought about.”
Julian’s passion for scientific research was just getting started. He soon found himself interviewing at the (then startup) Moderna. “I was so nervous for my interview,” Quinones recalls. “I thought the idea of mRNA (Messenger RNA) as a drug was really cool with wide-ranging implications, but I knew nothing about the actual biotech industry. I was interviewing with the hiring manager, a very prominent Harvard postdoc. I sat down with him and I think my heart was literally pumping out of my chest. I guess he sensed that, because his first question was if I watched The Simpsons. Knowing I was talking to a human being made everything easier.”
Julian’s wide-ranging lab skills made him a change-up player in his new role. He took the opportunity and initiative to learn everything he could. As his work and research progressed, he narrowed his focus on translational biology—research directed at translating scientific findings in a lab setting into potential real-life treatments for patients. Julian now serves as a Principal Research Associate for Translational Biology at Moderna, working on new technologies that could apply to many aspects of the drug maker’s platform.
When the pandemic hit, Julian’s work and life shifted dramatically, as it did for many. As the company moved forward with its COVID-19 vaccine, it began to grow astronomically. No longer a 20-person startup, Julian had a front row seat to some of the history Moderna was making. “Early on in the pandemic when Moderna was all over the news because we had just reached phase three of our vaccine trial, I remember being out at a pizza shop in my companybranded fleece. I didn’t think anything of it, I’d been wearing this jacket for the last five years and no one cared. I see the guy working there just staring at me. He says ‘Moderna! The drug maker? Wow, great work. Just amazing.’ After that, I just started to tell people that I work ‘in science.’”
As a result of the pandemic reality, Julian’s research in translational biology is temporarily on hold. He’s now focused day (and night) on researching booster vaccines to help target COVID-19 mutations. “The reason I’m on the vaccine team right now is because it’s all hands on deck. We needed experienced people to help alleviate the pressure that COVID is having on our infectious disease team. Tackling this pandemic is our number one priority. Yes, we have created a safe and effective vaccine for the parental virus, but we also feel a strong responsibility to address these novel variants.”
“The type of work I do for the SARSCoV-2 program is specifically looking at viral neutralization—the ability of antibodies to actually neutralize the virus. To do this work we use a pseudovirus. It’s exactly like the real virus, except it doesn’t replicate. Even if it gets on me or in me, nothing will happen. By running a variety of tests, we are able to expose blood samples to the pseudovirus. This tells us important information about the ability of our boosters to neutralize these novel viruses.”
Julian feels mixed emotions about doing this work during such an unprecedented and historic era. “I am humbled and grateful to be at this company at this time. I feel lucky to be here, but it has been challenging. When you have a powerful technology and the right leadership, things just fly. It’s been fun, it’s been exciting, but it’s also been really hard. Professionally, this time has been fuel for my career. It’s been all hands on deck and an opportunity for anyone who wants to step up to the plate and get things done. I have a bit of survivor’s guilt with this though, because so many are suffering. This makes me want to try to give more back, to do as much as I can.”
“The most uplifting aspect of this challenging time is knowing that so many people are trusting the science. There is a path to get out of this time of hardship. With some aspects of the pandemic being so politicized, I was concerned about how many people would actually understand that the vaccine is safe. It’s effective and it’s necessary for us to be able to get back to a version of normal.”
Looking back at his life before the pandemic, Julian recognizes that this time has helped him to learn the importance of staying grounded and making sure that he is trusting and honoring who he is. And, while Julian feels he’s come a long way, this young man has tremendous aspirations for where he wants to go next. “You have to be your own strongest advocate,” Julian reflects. “You have to believe in yourself. Be bold. Be curious. Be willing and determined to do the work. Stand your ground and do not let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. There may be young people who don’t think they are smart enough for biotech or pharma; that is not true. It’s all about consistency and work. You won’t be standing on top of the mountain in one day, but if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, pretty soon you have a good view.”
When asked about his role in researching and helping to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Julian remains steadfastly humble. “Science is vast. The little bit that I know—it’s absolutely nothing. No one person is able to do all of this work. It takes a village. I play a small part in that village and for that I am proud.” BA
Julian Quinones ’08 currently serves as a Principal Research Associate at Moderna in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When not in the lab, Julian enjoys working on projects at home and spending time at the beach with his German Shepard. In addition to his biotech career goals, Julian is passionate about sustainable agriculture and has future aspirations of starting a S.T.E.A.M. camp in Puerto Rico.
