Ashvini Ray
Microbiologist
Richardson,TX
Summary
Driven and meticulous molecular microbiologist with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology with over 5 years of experience in microbiology research. Proficient in conducting molecular biology, microbiology experiments, biosafety procedure, analyzing data, documenting, and presenting findings. Experienced in executing experiments with an outcome-focused mindset, while also considering the broader context and implications of the research. Adept at working independently and as part of a team to achieve research goals. With my passion for scientific inquiry and my dedication to quality research, I am confident in my ability to make valuable contributions to any team.
Overview
8
8
Years of experience in microbiology research
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant (Doctor of Philosophy)
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX
08.2017 - 05.2023
Functional characterization of novel regulators of nitrate respiration, nitric oxide metabolism, and biofilm formation in Paracoccus denitrificans.
- Used reversed genetics approach to understand functions of previously unknown gene homologs. Involved design and execution of microbiological and biochemical assays: Performed in vivo growth and phenotypic assays, in vitro analysis, and evaluation through colorimetric assays: Reporter fusion assay, Enzyme activity assay, Biofilm assay.
Determining the affinity and specificity of interaction between Cry4B toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis and the cadherin receptor BT-R3 from Anopheles gambiae.
- Determined the specific regions of EC12 module of BT-R3 which are important for binding and specificity by recombinant protein expression, purification using AKTA pure chromatography system, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and binding assays.
Research and Development Assistant
Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
01.2016 - 06.2017
- A simulation-based study of interaction of a lysine-derived antimicrobial compound, NCK-10, with model phospholipid bilayers.
Research and Development Assistant
Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Studied malarial host-pathogen interactions by investigating the molecular machinery of autophagy in the pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum by characterizing pfAtg12, a ubiquitin-like protein.
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular and Cell Biology
05.2023
Bachelor of Engineering - Biotechnology
05.2014
Skills
- Microbiology techniques: Aseptic bacterial cultures techniques Inoculation, Propagation, Isolation, Screening, Gram-staining, Pour plate, Spread plate and Streak plate methods, Bacterial enumeration
- Biochemical assays: Beta-galactosidase assay, Biofilm assay, Cell fractionation, Enzyme activity assay, Nitric oxide consumption assay, ELISA, MIC assays, Hemolytic testing, Emulsification (E24) testing, Drop-collapse assay, Oil spreading assay
- Molecular biology techniques: DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, Gel electrophoresis, Molecular cloning, Transformation, Transfection, Transduction (bacteriophage), Conjugation, Antibody generation and affinity purification, Recombinant protein expression and purification (AKTA), Protein estimation, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot
- Imaging: Light microscopy, Immunofluorescence microscopy
- Quantitative data analysis: Statistical tests using Student's t-test and ANOVA
- Computational: Molecular dynamics, Packages: Gaussian-09, GROMACS GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Office
Accomplishments
- Publication: Ashvini Ray, Stephen Spiro. DksA, ppGpp, and RegAB regulate nitrate respiration in Paracoccus denitrificans. Journal of Bacteriology 2023 March 15, e0002723. doi: 10.1128/jb.00027-23.
- Oral Presentation: Roles of dksA-like genes in Paracoccus denitrificans, Fall 2022, Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (TX ASM), Houston, Texas, USA.
- Oral Presentation: Analysing the physiological effects of dksA-like genes in Paracoccus denitrificans, Spring 2021, Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (TX ASM), Virtual Meeting, Texas, USA.
- Poster Presentation: Biosurfactant Production from a Gram-positive bacterial isolate, 53rd Annual Conference of Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI), 2012, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant (Doctor of Philosophy) - The University of Texas at Dallas
08.2017 - 05.2023
Research and Development Assistant - Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research
01.2016 - 06.2017
Research and Development Assistant - Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research
06.2014 - 12.2015
The University of Texas At Dallas - Ph.D., Molecular and Cell Biology
Birla Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Engineering, Biotechnology