Ashwini Sunkavalli
Stoneham,CO
Summary
Molecular biologist with extensive experience in academic and hospital-based research environments, integrating wet-lab experimentation with transcriptomic and systems-level analysis. Proven record of independently leading research projects, designing multi-factor RNA-seq studies, and delivering publication-ready results. Background includes high-impact genomics work in academic medical centers and cancer research institutes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Researcher – Genetics, Molecular & Cell Biology
Tufts University School of Medicine
- Assisted in designing and conducting experiments to gather data for research projects.
- Analyzed data using statistical software to derive meaningful insights and support conclusions.
- Collaborated with faculty and peers to develop research proposals and grant applications.
- Maintained laboratory equipment, ensuring functionality and compliance with safety standards.
- Prepared reports summarizing research findings for presentations at academic conferences.
- Conducted literature reviews to inform project direction and identify gaps in existing research.
- Trained new students on laboratory protocols and research methodologies effectively.
- Utilized advanced statistical software to analyze large datasets, uncovering key insights for informed decision making.
- Presented research findings at conferences and workshops, fostering professional growth and collaboration within the academic community.
Research Associate II – Virology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Conducted mechanistic studies of Influenza A virus replication, viral mutagenesis, qPCR, and replication assays.
Lead Research Technician – Cancer Genomics
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Led high-throughput NGS workflows for exome and whole-genome sequencing studies contributing to publications in Nature Genetics, JAMA Oncology, and The Lancet Oncology.
Education
M.S. - Genetics, Molecular & Cell Biology
Tufts University
Boston, MAM.S. - Biotechnology
University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TXB.S. - Biotechnology
SRM University
Skills
- Molecular Biology & Microbiology: Gene deletion mutants (allelic exchange), PCR, primer design, RNA extraction, strand-specific RNA-seq library preparation, bacterial growth and viability assays, oxidative stress assays, epithelial cell adherence and invasion assays
- Bioinformatics & Data Analysis: RNA-seq analysis (QC, alignment, differential expression), co-expression network inference (CLR), Bayesian network modeling, operon analysis, motif discovery (MEME Suite), statistical modeling, data visualization
- Systems Biology & Network Analysis: Genome-scale network construction, module detection (Louvain), hub identification, regulatory hierarchy inference, temporal transcriptomic analysis
- Programming & Tools: R (DESeq2, igraph, bnlearn, ggplot2), Gephi, Linux/Unix, command-line workflows
- Scientific Communication: Manuscript preparation, experimental design, cross-disciplinary collaboration
Certification
- Whole Genome Sequencing of Bacterial Genomes – Coursera
- Biomedical Research Certification – CITI Program (Current)
Timeline
Research Associate II – Virology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Lead Research Technician – Cancer Genomics
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
M.S. - Biotechnology
University of Texas at Dallas
B.S. - Biotechnology
SRM University
Graduate Researcher – Genetics, Molecular & Cell Biology
Tufts University School of Medicine
M.S. - Genetics, Molecular & Cell Biology
Tufts University
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Sunkavalli A. et al. Molecular regulatory mechanisms drive emergent pathogenetic properties of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Microorganisms (2022).
- McClure R., Sunkavalli A. et al. Global network analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. mSystems (2020).
- Brastianos P.K. et al. Exome sequencing identifies BRAF mutations in papillary craniopharyngiomas. Nature Genetics (2014).
- Campbell J.D. et al. Mutation prevalence in lung cancers across populations. JAMA Oncology (2017).