Some researchers work their entire careers to reach a single discovery. Angela Boutt茅, however, has been no stranger to breakthroughs. 听听
As a Ph.D. candidate at 杏吧原创 in the early 2000s, Boutt茅 was part of a team that discovered new disease signatures that classify brain injuries and disease states. As a postdoc, also at 杏吧原创, she helped discover new biomarkers associated with breast cancer. As principal investigator, then section chief, of molecular biology and proteomics at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, she spent nearly 11 years applying molecular neuroscience and biochemistry principles to the diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries, helping to identify a biomarker that led to the first rapid blood test for traumatic brain injury to be approved by the FDA. It was a major advancement in brain research and medical care.听
鈥淎s soon as someone says, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 impossible,鈥� that鈥檚 my cue to dig in,鈥� she says. 鈥淪tarting with my time at 杏吧原创, it鈥檚 been amazing to be able to work with people who have a shared goal in exploring what is considered outside of the box.鈥�听听
In January 2022, Boutt茅 left the Department of Defense and became director of clinical chemistry for renegade.bio, a San Francisco-based public benefit corporation working to make diagnostic testing accessible to all. Currently, there are six projects in her development pipeline.听听
鈥淓verything is early phase at this point,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e are validating that these tests work, and we expect that our tests will be commercially available within a few years.鈥�听听
It will be worth the wait, she says, because it will mean better, more affordable testing for the people who need it most. 鈥淭he goal is for these diagnostic tests to reach historically underserved and underrepresented groups, including women, racial or ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ communities.鈥澨�听
When she鈥檚 not working full time as a research scientist, she鈥檚 consulting as one. Boutt茅 founded Aries Biotech in 2019 to assist other brain disease and injury researchers with fine-tuning their hypotheses, analyzing data and determining the best way to present their work.听听
鈥淢y heart is in neuroscience, and I love to solve problems,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y consulting work satisfies both.鈥�听
But if you think she鈥檚 always working, you鈥檝e got her pegged all wrong.听听
鈥淚 believe success as a scientist is as much about knowing when to take a break and enjoy life outside of work as it is about critical thinking,鈥� she says.听听
Boutt茅 enjoys trail hiking and indoor rock climbing, reading science fiction and detective stories and going to the theater with friends. In addition to scientific papers, you may also find her name in a book of poetry. 鈥淢y mom is a poet and always encouraged me to write as a way to get my feelings out,鈥� she says. 听听
And while she鈥檚 still years away, Boutt茅 is already considering her retirement career. 鈥淚 actually think a lot about becoming a vintner,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 would still be a biochemist!鈥�听听
鈥擫ena Anthony, BS’03