Dhanashree PhD

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM):

• Proficient in guiding and instructing students in acquiring high-resolution TEM images.
• Skilled in sample preparation techniques for TEM analysis.
• Expertise in collaborating with research teams to tailor TEM protocols to project requirements.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM):

• I am proficient at conducting SEM training sessions, emphasizing imaging techniques and interpretation.
• Experienced in supporting sample preparation for SEM analysis, ensuring optimal imaging conditions.
• Proficient in identifying and addressing SEM imaging needs through collaboration with research teams.

Confocal Microscopy:

• Expertise in training students in confocal microscopy principles and methodologies.
• Skilled in advising on sample preparation for confocal imaging and troubleshooting technical issues.
• Actively engaged in team discussions to enhance confocal microscopy capabilities and explore new applications.

Sample Preparation:

• Skilled in developing and disseminating effective sample preparation protocols for various microscopy techniques.
• Proficient in assisting students and researchers in optimizing sample quality for diverse imaging modalities.
• Adept at collaborating with the team to address specific sample preparation challenges and proposing innovative solutions.

Team Collaboration:

• Strong communication skills in facilitating discussions between research teams and the microscopy facility to understand project goals.
• Proven ability to actively engage in team meetings to assess current needs and adapt microscopy protocols accordingly.
• Establishing and maintaining effective collaborations with researchers and their principal investigators (PIs).
• Education and Outreach:
• Effective in conducting workshops and seminars on microscopy techniques for students and researchers.
• Proactively engages with the academic community to identify educational needs and address them through tailored programs.

Achievements:

• Successfully trained 8 to 10 students/researchers in microscopy techniques.
• implemented efficient sample preparation protocols, improving image quality and research outcomes.
• Established and maintained collaborative relationships with researchers and PIs, enhancing communication and understanding of project requirements within the university and through collaborations with other universities.
• Engaged in educational outreach by explaining and showcasing SEM images to 40 6th-grade students from Akron public school, fostering interest in science and microscopy.
• Contributed to campus recruitment by providing informative tours for graduate students and faculty interview candidates, highlighting microscopy facilities and research capabilities on the campus

Research Focus and Projects Handled:

1. In vitro characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides against APEC.
2. Elucidating the mechanism of action of small molecules and AMPs on APEC.
3. Evaluating the effect of antimicrobial peptides, small molecules, and probiotics in reducing APEC infection in chickens.

Key contributions:

• Elucidated the mechanism of drugs against Avian Pathogenic E. coli using thermal proteome profiling.
• Cloned and expressed outer membrane proteins LptDE, OmpC, and MlaA.
  Expressed UDP-N-acetylbacillosamine N-acetyltransferase protein.
  Purified proteins using chromatographic techniques, including affinity, ion-exchange, and size exclusion chromatography.
• Conducted in vitro interaction studies using Isothermal Calorimetry with purified proteins and effective small molecules.
• In vitro characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides against APEC.
  Utilized in vivo larval models to understand the toxicity and intracellular bacterial load reduction in Wax moth larvae.
• Conducted cytotoxicity and intracellular bacterial load detection using Caco-2 and HD11 cells.
  Executed in vivo experiments contributing to understanding the effect of antimicrobial peptides and probiotics in reducing the load of APEC infection in chickens.

Microbiome Analysis:

• 16S microbiome metabarcoding sequences, primarily using the DADA2 pipeline in R.

Microbial Detection Standardization:

• Standardized limit of detection and identification of Campylobacter in milk samples and animal feces.
  
  

Research Focus: Understanding the Morphology of Bifidobacteria

Expertise:

Experimental Design and Execution:

• Proficient in designing experiments and handling multiple samples.

Microscopy and Size Analysis:

• Conducted confocal microscopic studies and size analysis.

Analytical Techniques:

• Utilized UFLC for detecting lipophilic molecules.
• Executed growth curve studies, viability assays (MTT and MPC), and determined MIC.

Molecular Biology Techniques:

• Applied bacterial cloning, protein purification, and blotting.

Computational Skills:

• Conducted homology modeling and docking studies.
• Utilized multiple databases for data collection, including NCBI, BioCyc, and UniProt.

Key Achievements:

• Conducted extensive SEM analysis to understand Bifidobacterial morphology.
• Concluded that the shape of Bifidobacteria is speciesspecific, and the bifid shape is intrinsic to B. adolescentis.
• Identified that the Bifidobacterial kinase in the PG synthesis cluster rules over morphology.
• Understood the subcellular localization of pknA with GFP fusion.
• Designed a probiotic bacterial kinases database for targeted drug discovery without altering gut flora.
• Developed an easy, rapid, nonlaborious, and economical method for simultaneous isolation and identification of Bifidobacteria on a plate.
• Reported, for the first time, that Bifidobacteria are multidrugresistant.
• Used LCMS to understand the uptake of lipophilic drugs by Bifidobacteria.
• Standardized the MTT assay for identifying bacterial viability during adaptation to higher drug concentrations.
• Analyzed the interaction of the drug and rpoB through in vitro docking studies.
• Conducted rpoB gene sequencing, revealing internal mutations in bacteria exposed to various drug concentrations.

Academic and Professional Experience:

Group Projects and Collaboration:

• Planned and successfully completed various group projects, demonstrating effective teamwork and collaboration.
• Maintained positive working relationships with colleagues and management.
• Applied course concepts through active participation in small group discussions and summarization sessions with classmates.

Research and Writing:

• Learned new research methods, processes, and procedures to enhance academic projects.
• Analyzed qualitative research findings related to campus climate.
• Prepared reports, presentations, and articles using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Student Life Improvement Initiatives:

• Served as a mentor for incoming freshman students, providing guidance and support on academic matters.

Leadership and Coordination:

• Worked as a team member on complex academic projects, demonstrating leadership skills.
• Coordinated and led a team of students in a CSIR800 Project focused on analyzing the organizational, nutritional, and microbial aspects of the MidDay Meal program in and around Mysuru District.

Campus Events and Engagement:

• Participated in a variety of campus events, including career fairs, lectures, and workshops.
• Gave presentations on current topics relevant to the curriculum.

CSIR800 Project Coordination:

• Coordinated and assigned tasks to multiple teams, playing a crucial role in the successful completion of the CSIR800 Project.
• Helped create route maps and coordinated school assignments for the teams.
• Received commendation for outstanding contributions to project coordination.

Mess Coordinator Role:

• Served as a coordinator for the campus mess, leading a team for six months.
• Interacted with employees and suppliers, implementing new policies to improve mess operations.
• Worked with vendors to reduce the cost of supplies, demonstrating problem. solving skills.

As a part of the PhD program wrote a project proposal on "Recombinant Bifidobacteria GABA Production and In Vivo Analysis on the Control of Emotional Behavior in Mice."

Contributed significantly to academia and research during the PhD journey.

Dissertation Title:
"Serological Analysis of PUO Cases with Thrombocytopenia"

Expertise:
Patient Screening and Blood Sample Collection:

• Proficient in screening patients with PUO cases.
• Skilled in collecting blood samples and separating serum.

Immunochromatographic Techniques:

• Demonstrated expertise in detecting Hantavirus and Scrub typhus infections through immunochromatographic techniques.

Group Project Management:

• Planned and successfully completed group projects, fostering effective collaboration with team members.

Report Preparation:

• Prepared reports summarizing data related to student performance.

Event Coordination:

• Planned and coordinated fundraising events for student organizations.

Task Delegation:

• Evaluated departmental needs and delegated tasks to optimize overall production.

Extracurricular Engagement:

• Joined extracurricular activities to explore interests and passions beyond the classroom.

Study Techniques:

• Developed and practiced study techniques to retain information and meet assignment objectives.

Research Assistance:

• Built positive relationships with professors and assisted with research and innovation.

Document Preparation:

Prepared reports, presentations, and articles using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.