Emily Doleh

Emily Doleh is a doctoral researcher in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, where she focuses on advancing bioprocessing technologies for gene therapy applications. Her Ph.D. work centers on developing inducible, stable producer cell lines for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production, aiming to improve scalability and consistency in viral vector manufacturing.

As a Graduate Research Assistant, Emily has extensive experience in mammalian cell culture, including HEK293 suspension and adherent systems, as well as transfection and transduction techniques. She has contributed to the development of standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and in-process assays to ensure reproducibility in viral vector production. Her research also incorporates synthetic biology approaches, including promoter engineering and CRISPR-based methods, to enhance yield and reduce immune responses. Emily earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a biomolecular focus from The Ohio State University, where she researched protein engineering and downstream processing to improve biologic stability and yield.

Beyond the lab, she is actively involved in mentorship and leadership. She serves as a Graduate Research Mentor and as a representative for Women in Engineering, supporting student development and community building. She has also held leadership roles organizing large-scale departmental initiatives and recruitment efforts. Emily’s work has been recognized through competitive fellowships, including the GAANN Inclusive Teaching Fellowship and the Dannon 58 and Donna Collins Fellowship. She is passionate about bridging research and application in biomanufacturing to enable the next generation of gene therapies