Elena Barnaeva, M.S.

Job Title
Health Program Specialist
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Division
Division of Translational Research
Cluster, Section, or Program
BPN-Biologics
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Elena Barnaeva joined the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Division of Translational Research (DTR) in 2021 and currently serves as Health Program Specialist providing support for Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network for Biologics (BPN-Biologics) and Ultra-rare diseases Gene Therapy (URGenT) Network. 

Prior to joining NINDS, Elena was a scientist at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), where she worked with academic investigators to implement high-throughput screening for the discovery of small-molecule probes. During her tenure at NCATS, she gained extensive experience in the implementation of target and phenotypic-based high-throughput screens using a broad range of technologies. She also developed and implemented innovative assay and screening paradigms for drug discovery, including the use of stem cells and primary cells for drug screening, as well as implementing a matrix-based screening platform for the discovery of drug combinations. 

Elena earned her Master's degree in biology from Novosibirsk State University in Russia, specializing in human physiology. Further, she received extensive training in biochemistry and neuroscience at Vanderbilt University with the focus on neurological disease models.