Molecular Cell Toxicologist Specializing in In Vitro and In Vivo Molecular Cell Biology, Identifying Pathways and Bio-Markers Involved in Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Genomic and Proteomic Approaches

Expertise

• Expertise in designing, planning and executing in vitro and in vivo molecular, cell biological, biochemical, immunological and toxicological research studies in compliance with funding agencies' GLP.
• Demonstrated leadership and versatility in directing multi-disciplinary research teams to investigate the molecular mechanisms, identifying pathways and bio-markers involved in developmental and reproductive biology and neurodegenerative diseases using genomic and proteomic approaches.
• Practical and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: Neurobiology, toxicology, molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, transgenic technology, immunoassays, cellular biology, reproductive and developmental biology, model development and extensive experience in in-vivo experiments.
• Proven record of scientific achievement through publication of original research and review articles and invited presentations at national and international conference.
• Successfully completed two research projects as a Research Investigator in a U.S. FDA research laboratory and successful completion of two research projects at the University of Michigan.
• Developed neuronal and non neuronal cell culture, transgenic and knock in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases and reproductive and developmental studies.

Experience

Undisclosed Company, Senior Scientist and Team Leader, 2010 - Present

• Working as team leader for three projects focused on developing aptamers for therapeutic, industrial and diagnostic applications.
• Designing, planning and directing experiments for the team members, progress reports, weekly meetings and briefing to the clients and meeting with the team members.
• Writing and revising technical documents in lab standard operating procedure, SOP protocols, improving the techniques and trouble shooting.
• Developing and drafting of new procedures and protocols to accommodate novel research assays and products.

USFDA (National Center for Toxicological Research, Division of Neurotoxicology), AK 2007 - 2010

ORISE Fellow

• Performed stereotaxic surgery, dorsal artery catheterization for telemetric monitoring of physiological parameters, microinjection of fluorescent labels in the brain, assess the role of different neurotoxic abusive drugs in the brain of rat by using microarrays, pathway specific PCR arrays, RT-PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry.
• Routinely performed in-vitro techniques such as RNA isolation, primer design for PCR, cDNA synthesis, oligonucleotide arrays, western blot immunoprecipitation, immunoassay, Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.
• Identified the molecular markers responsible for the effects of both acute and chronic amphetamine exposure on the vasculature of the rat brain using both genomic and proteomic approach.
• Wrote research protocols and reviewed scientific documents for division approval.

University of Michigan, Department of Pathology, Ann Arbor, MI, Research Associate II, 2005 - 2007

• Identified the involvement of unfolded protein response in modulating the toxicity of mutated androgen receptor in Kennedy Disease.
• Developed neuronal and non neuronal cell culture and explants culture techniques for the lab, primary cell culture, making cell lines for specific mutations, isolation of total RNA, RT-PCR, developed caspase assays methodology, cell viability assays, microscopy, immunoassays, northern southern and west blot, immunocytochemistry, transient transfection, pulse chase, FACS analysis cells, laser capture micro dissection, sample preparation for electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, DNA microarray.
• Wrote research articles, assisted PI in grant writing, worked as lab supervisor and mentor.

Educator

Anupama Science Academy, Kerala, India, Instructor, Biology, 1987 - 1990

• Taught Zoology and Botany class and lab course for first and second year undergraduates.

St. Paul's School, Ujjain, India, Lecturer, Biology, 1990 - 1992

• Lectured, tutored, and conducted lab course for undergraduate program. Courses covered were broad areas in Zoology and Botany.
• Practical classes in Animal physiology and Botany were conducted.

Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India, Teaching Assistant, Life Sciences, 1992 - 1993

• Taught masters degree level physiology class and lab course in reproductive endocrinology.

DA University, Indore, India, Instructor, Life Sciences, 1992 - 1997

• Lectured, trained and supervised undergraduate and graduate students of Molecular Endocrinology program in molecular biology and mammalian physiology class.

Research

• Protein misfolding, aggregation, toxicity, ubiquitin proteasome system disruption and trafficking defects in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Heat shock proteins as the target molecules for neuroprotection.
• Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response.
• Molecular markers involved in the degeneration of specific neuronal population.
• Pathways involved in neurotoxicity.
• In vitro and in vivo model system development.
• Toxic effects of drugs of abuse on the cerebral vasculature, blood brain barrier disruption, immune response and protein scavenging.

Protocols and Grants (Research)

• Co-Investigator, "Characterizing the amphetamine-induced changes in vascular tone, vasotrauma and alterations in angiogenesis in rodent brain".
• Protocol approved for research at the division of neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas.
• Co-Investigator, "Further studies on the effects of Afmid/TK deficiencies on brain, liver and kidney function".
• Protocol approved for research at the division of neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas.

Honors & Publications

Languages

• English (Spoken and written)
• Hindi (Spoken and Written)
• Malayalam (Spoken and Written)

License

• Basic and advanced Array track training, NCTR.
• Completed the course and passed the examination for working with the IACUC on the AALAS learning center at National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas.
• Class on GLP NCTR laboratory operating procedures.
• Good laboratory practice amendments, deviation and unforeseen circumstances.
• Hands on training on scanning and transmission Electron Microscopy.
• Hands on training on assisted reproductive techniques.
• Pronuclear injection and Micromanipulation of mouse embryos used in transgenic technology.

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Society for Neuroscience (USA)
• Member of the society of toxicology (USA)
• Member of the International drug abuse research society (USA)
• Member of the Arkansas chapter Society for Neuroscience (USA)
• Life member Indian Academy of Neurosciences
• Life member Indian Society for Comparative Animal Physiology
• Life member Indian Society of Cell Biology
• Life member of Society for reproductive biology and comparative endocrinology
• Life member of Applied Zoologists Research Association (AZRA)

Awards

• Merit scholarship from Kerala State Government.
• National scholarship for post graduate studies from Sambalpur University.
• Gold Medal from Sambalpur University in Master of Science.
• Special award for outstanding Seminar Presentation in Post Graduate Seminar Series, Department of Zoology, Sambalpur University, Orissa, India.
• Seventh rank in B.Sc. from Sambalpur University.
• Junior research Fellowship, Department of Atomic Energy.
• Memorial award for best paper presentation.
• Awarded fellow association of Zoologists title (AZRA).
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Senior Research Fellowship.
• Fellowship award for an Indian Scientist at the XVIth IUBMB, New Delhi, India.
• National Biotechnology Board fellowship.
• Department of Biotechnology fellowship.
• Employee Appreciation Award (5 years of service) University of Michigan.
• Fellowship award from the US Department of Energy and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Arkansas chapter of neuroscience Best Presentation Award.

Publications and Patents

• Author and Co-Author of (22) publications, invited speaking engagements, (39) presentations, and (5) manuscripts.

Education

• Ph.D. Life Sciences, DA University, India
• M.Sc. Zoology, Sambalpur University, India
• B.Sc. Zoology, Chemistry, Botany, Sambalpur University, India