Diana Ingles

Background

About Diana Ingles

My path in chemistry began with a deep curiosity about how small molecules impact human health. That passion led me to earn my B.S. in Chemistry with the highest honors and build a career in early drug discovery and lab operations. As Lab Manager at USC, I manage instrument procurement, maintenance, and training for grant-funded research. I’ve collaborated with vendors such as BUCHI, Agilent, Biotage, and Teledyne to help our lab adapt to evolving research needs. Through these experiences, I’ve discovered that what I enjoy most is not just the science itself, but supporting the people behind it. Now, I’m expanding into the world of computational drug discovery — combining my wet lab background with molecular modeling, data tools, and a personal interest in plant-based medicine. I’m currently building an independent project to evaluate salicin-derived analogs from willow bark for improved COX-2 selectivity using AutoDock Vina and Python-based cheminformatics. The goal is to explore how natural scaffolds can inspire safer, more effective anti-inflammatory drugs. I’m actively growing in this space to support R&D teams in smarter, earlier decision-making — and ultimately reduce time, cost, and complexity in drug development. I’m especially seeking opportunities where I can combine my technical foundation with communication, relationship-building, and strategic support — whether in customer success, software solutions for R&D, or projects that make drug discovery smarter and more accessible. Outside of work, I stay grounded through movement and creativity. I enjoy practicing acro yoga at the beach, capturing animal and landscape photography in national parks, and exploring SoCal’s waterfall hikes. I thrive when I’m learning, connecting, and contributing to something meaningful. Let’s connect if you’re passionate about bridging science, software, and people to accelerate meaningful discoveries.