Ms. Kassam grew up in Tanzania, in the eastern part of Africa. She earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Poona in India with Ist.Class Hons. After graduation, she moved to Canada, started her Research Career at the University of Alberta, Canada, and worked on "Tolerance" side of research during the initial three years, before switching gears and working with several Biotech organizations developing Antibodies. Her first assignment in Canada was with the firm of Chembiomed Ltd. and later with Summa Biomedical also in Canada. Ms. Kassam's move to the US was a result of an opportunity extended to her by Seargen Inc. in Hopkinton, MA that recognized her skills in making antibodies and recruited her to apply her skills with their organization. During her time with Seragen Inc., she had the opportunity for several international assignments to represent the organization including Oslo-Norway and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Her initial contract in the US was for 2 years, but realized that her love for the state of MA and her work and personal life were so enjoyable and rewarding that she chose to make MA her home. She continued to work for Seragen Inc. before moving on to another wonderful and successful MA based biotech Company - LeukoSite Inc. There she worked on making antibodies for chemokine and chemokine Receptors and was very fortunate to see that one of these antibodies has since moved to clinical trials for the cure of Rheumatoid Arthritis. During her time with LeukoSite, Ms. Kassam was also extended an invitation to share her skills to make hybridomas and train staff at the Arthritis Centre in Sydney, Australia. In 1999 LeukoSite got acquired by Millennium Pharm. Inc., where Ms. Kassam continued to work until joining the Kuchroo Lab in September, 2003. Ms. Kassam brings over 25 years of research experience and currently manages the hybridoma facility in her capacity as a Research Specialist for the Kuchroo Lab.