Overview
Melissa MacEwen is a Technical Specialist in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's Chicago office.
Areas of Practice
Dr. MacEwen supports the Life Science branch of Sheppard Mullin’s Intellectual Property Practice by drawing on the deep technical experience she gained from a decade spent working in academia and the biotech industry. Her work most frequently centers on patent prosecution, patent litigation, freedom to operate analysis, and competitive business intelligence.
Experience
Experience
A pharmacologist by training, Dr. MacEwen has particular depth in molecular biology and cellular biochemistry. Specific technologies that she has experience with include the following:
- Protein biochemistry related to peptide chemistry, protein expression and purification, and protein-based signaling
- Carbon chain and fatty acid metabolism
- Monoclonal antibody manufacturing including in vitro and bioassay development
- Next-generation DNA sequencing
Honors
Honors
- Husky 100 recipient (University of Washington), 2022
Insights
Articles
- “Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling Regulates Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism in Fibrolamellar Carcinoma,” Science Advances, 2025
- “Evolutionary Divergence Reveals the Molecular Basis of EMRE Dependence of the Human MCU,” Life Science Alliance, 2020
Memberships
Memberships
Women in Bio: Seattle, 2023 to present
Practices
Industries
Education
Ph.D., University of Washington School of Medicine, 2023
B.S., Tufts University, 2014, magna cum laude