Payal focuses on the prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications for technology and life sciences companies. She has drafted and prosecuted patents related to biotechnology (e.g., optogenetic technology, CRISPR, cell enrichment assays, cell culture methods, biomarkers for neurological and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics), medical devices and methods of use (e.g., microscopy and imaging devices, hematology analyzers, lateral flow devices, catheters, synthetic chords for heart valves, torquer devices) and pharmaceutical products. Beyond patent prosecution, Payal has been involved in IP due diligence of potential target acquisitions, and has supported attorneys counseling clients by performing analysis related to patentability, invalidity and freedom-to-operate.

Payal has a broad range of laboratory experience including in vivo and in-vitro studies. Her laboratory techniques include scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, micro-computed tomography, 2D and 3D mammalian and bacterial cell culture, immunohistochemistry, antibody-based assays, local field potential electrophysiological recordings and processing/experimental analysis of extracted teeth.

Payal previously worked as a patent agent at a boutique IP firm where she prosecuted patent applications for a variety of life sciences clients. She also spent several years as a senior biomedical engineer at Sonendo, a root canal device dental startup, working mainly within the company’s research and development arm. At Sonendo, she developed and implemented R&D protocols and preclinical in-vitro models for a novel root canal technology, set up academic collaborations with key opinion leaders in the field and performed preclinical safety and efficacy testing for three 510(k) FDA submissions. She also published scientific articles in various peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Endodontics and Clinical Oral Investigations.

As a graduate student, Payal worked under Diane Hoffman-Kim in a tissue engineering and biomaterials lab in the department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology and the Center for Biomedical Engineering. There, she developed a 3D in-vitro model to study peripheral nerve injury and regeneration using 3D dorsal root ganglion microtissues and micropatterned protein substrates. She also worked as an intern at the Technology Ventures Office at Brown University and prepared marketing and competitive analysis reports to assess the commercialization potential of new ideas and inventions created at Brown.