Ashna Panchmatia
Summary
Determined, organized, and well-rounded individual with two years of research experience. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Seeking to switch roles from research to sales to communicate with people and help them with their needs.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Scientist
Amgen
South San Francisco, CA
09.2023 - Current
- Working in the drug-protein and discovery team on purifying membrane proteins to come up with treatments for people dealing with catastrophic diseases and illnesses
- Have knowledge in membrane protein purification, dounce homogenizer, detergents, FPLC/AKTA, Western Blot (dry transfer), gel electrophoresis, ELN, and HTB
- Working with cross-functional project teams to support the work being done
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating time management skills while maintaining accuracy
- Conducting thorough literature reviews to stay current on what has been done
- Documenting experimental results meticulously according to company standards
Researcher
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Project: Structural Studies of Neosubstrates Bound to Molecular Glue CRBN complexes
- The goal of my work was to use crystallography to understand how molecular glues bind and change the surface of CRBN-DDB1-neosubstrate, such as CK1⍺, complexes for pediatric patients dealing with leukemia and lymphoma. Through protein purification and setting up crystal trays, crystallization quality protein for CRBN-DDB1 and CK1⍺ was obtained. Paper was published in January 2024
- Nishiguchi, G., Mascibroda, L.G., Young, S.M. et al. Selective CK1α degraders exert antiproliferative activity against a broad range of human cancer cell lines. Nat Commun 15, 482 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44698-1
- Have knowledge in protein purification, emulsiflex, sonicator, gel electrophoresis, FPLC/AKTA, expression for E. coli, preparing crystal trays to send to synchrotron, mosquito and dragonfly Instruments, insect cell culture, aseptic technique, and western blot (wet transfer)
- Presented at a symposium in October 2022
Front Desk Receptionist
Harvard Business School
Boston, MA
11.2021 - 05.2022
- Greeted guests at front desk and sold memberships at the Harvard Business School gym
- Maintained, organized, and cleaned front office area to create professional and welcoming environment for people using the gym and employees
- Scheduled, coordinated and confirmed appointments
- Managed high-volume phone calls, directing inquiries to appropriate personnel for prompt resolution
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing efficient and professional front desk services
- Developed strong working relationships with team members, fostering a positive work environment
- Resolved customer issues quickly and notified supervisor when problems escalated
- Trained new team members on company procedures, customer service and issue resolution
- Collected and distributed messages to team members and managers to support open communication and high customer service
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA
- Project: The Efficiency of ERG in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells that Induces Lung and Heart Fibrosis
- Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the skin that causes fibrosis in the skin and connective tissue and damage to other organs. An experimental mouse model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis was used to assess fibrosis in the lungs, skin, and heart in 14 mice for 7 days. Wild type and floxed ERG mice were injected intradermally with a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or bleomycin for 7 days. Collagen deposition was then assessed using trichrome staining in the lungs and skin and Picosirius staining for the heart. Apart from measuring the collagen deposition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was done to measure the gene expression of eight profibrotic genes for each mouse.
- Have experience in cell culture, nucleic acid isolation, qPCR, protein extraction, western blot, trichrome, picrosirius red staining, organ harvesting, tissue processing, embedding, confocal and light microscopy, StepOne, Prism, and ImageJ
- Visualized research findings through data tables, graphs and presentations.
- Enhanced research quality by conducting thorough literature reviews and data analyses
- Assisted graduate students in their research projects, providing support as needed in areas such as study design or statistical analysis
- Presented research findings at the end of the program at Boston University
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Boston University
Boston, MA05.2022
Skills
- Protein Purification: AKTA
- Western Blot
- Gel Electrophoresis, SDS PAGE, Native Gels
- Dounce Homogenizer and Detergents
- Cell Culture
- Public Speaking
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Time Management
- Problem-solving skills
- Listening Skills
- Reliable and punctual
- Goal-Oriented
Volunteer Experience
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute (09/2019-03/2020): cleaned the gift shop, arranged products on the shelves, and prepared gift bags for women that just underwent breast cancer surgery
- Camp Casco: Young Professionals Committee (09/2021-07/2022): attended meetings to discuss events to raise $15,000 by October 2022 to fund pediatric cancer and Camp Casco, a one-week summer camp for cancer survivors
- JW House (11/2023-Present): Help clean the house, provide food and snacks to patient families, and talk with patient families to try to brighten their days
Timeline
Associate Scientist
Amgen
09.2023 - Current
Researcher
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
07.2022 - 09.2023
Front Desk Receptionist
Harvard Business School
11.2021 - 05.2022
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Boston University School of Medicine
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Boston University