Irfana Saleem
Katrin Karbstein Lab, Vanderbilt University
Nashville,TN
5
years of professional experience
Dynamic research professional and Staff Scientist with extensive experience in RNA structural biology, transcriptomics, and gene regulation. Proven expertise in high-throughput chemical probing method development (including msDMS-MaP and DANCE-MaP), mutational profiling, and bioinformatics data analysis. Successfully led and co-developed cutting-edge technology studies that advance our understanding of complex RNA structural ensembles, RNA-protein interactions, and transcriptional regulation. Active contributor to the scientific community with a strong record of peer review and editorial engagement.
Work History
Staff Scientist
2 Months- Investigate ribosome biogenesis, ribosomal protein remodeling, and translational regulation in mammalian cells.
- Integrate molecular biology, genomics, and computational analyses to investigate translational control.
Research Associate
1 Year 11 Months- Developed CRISPR-based genome engineering strategies for transcriptional regulation studies.
- Performed gene editing, molecular biology, sequencing-based assays, and data analysis.
- Worked with compact Cas systems and reporter assays in mammalian cells.
Research Associate
1 Year 5 Months- Developed high-throughput chemical probing strategies for mapping RNA secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures in living cells
- Investigated RNA-protein interactions using mutational profiling approaches for rRNA, U1 snRNA, U2 snRNA
- Characterized the role of 7SK non coding RNA structural dynamics in transcriptional regulation
- Conducted mutation signature filtering for high-fidelity RNA structure probing
Postdoctoral Researcher
1 Year 9 Months- Developed high-throughput RNA chemical probing technologies including msDMS-MaP.
- Investigated RNA structural ensembles, RNA-protein interactions, and transcriptional regulation.
- Performed computational analysis of mutational profiling and RNA structure datasets
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Master of Science - Life Sciences
Skills
Molecular assays
RNA structure modeling
RNA-protein interactions
Mutation profiling
NGS library prep and RNA sequencing
Python programming
Data analysis
Gene regulation
Chemical probing
Bioinformatics tools
RNA structure mapping
Timeline
Staff Scientist
Katrin Karbstein Lab, Vanderbilt University
06.2026 - CurrentRead More
Research Associate
Bert O'Malley Lab, Baylor College of Medicine
06.2024 - 05.2026Read More
Research Associate
Anthony Mustoe Lab, Baylor College of Medicine
01.2023 - 06.2024Read More
Postdoctoral Researcher
Anthony Mustoe Lab, Baylor College of Medicine
03.2021 - 12.2022Read More
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
Master of Science from Life Sciences
Read More
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Ph.D. from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Read More
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
- Keystone Protein-RNA Interactions Scholarship and Oral Presentation (2023)
- RNA Society Fellowship Winner (2018)
- Graduate Research Fellowship, UNMC (2017–2019)
- INSPIRE Fellowship, Government of India (2010–2015)
- Award of Excellence, IISER Mohali (2013–2014)
PUBLICATIONS
- Zahrat El Oula Hassoun, Xin Liu, Irfana Saleem, Isaiah H. Desta, Daniel J. Gatewood, & Katrin Karbstein. Programmed ribosome misfolding supports stationary phase growth. (Submitted)
- Mohsin Raza, Asher Rajkumar Rajan, Achyuth Kalluchi, Bhopal C. Mohapatra, Irfana Saleem, Benjamin B. Kennedy, Kishor K. Bhakat, Hamid Band, M. Jordan Rowley, Vimla Band. A novel RNA-binding activity of ECD contributes to U5 snRNP stability and pre-mRNA splicing. Nucleic Acids Research, August 2026.
- Irfana Saleem, Thomas Miller, Lucas Kearns, Anthony Hoang, Joshua Meehan, Ritwika Bose, David Mitchell, David H Price, Calla M Olson, Chase A Weidmann, Anthony M Mustoe. Multi-site DMS probing reveals higher-order structure of RNA-protein complexes in living cells. Molecular Cell, May 2026. (Technology Paper / co-First Author)
- Ritwika Bose, Irfana Saleem, Anthony Mustoe. Causes, functions, and therapeutic possibilities of RNA secondary structure ensembles and alternative states. Cell Chem Biol, Jan 18, 2024. (Co-first author, review article)
- Mitchell III, David, Jennifer Cotter, Irfana Saleem, and Anthony M. Mustoe. Mutation signature filtering enables high-fidelity RNA structure probing at all four nucleobases with DMS. Nucleic Acids Research, 2023.
- Bhopal C. Mohapatra, Sameer Mirza, Aditya Bele, C. B. Gurumurthy, Irfana Saleem, et al. Ecdysone overexpression in breast cancer is an independent prognostic marker, regulating Myc and Wnt signaling pathways. Molecular Cancer Research, 2022.
- Samuel W. Olson, Anne-Marie W. Turner, J. Winston Arney, Irfana Saleem, et al. Large-scale allosteric switch in the 7SK RNA regulates transcription in response to growth and stress. Molecular Cell, 2022.
- Mirza, S., A. Kalluchi, M. Raza, Irfana Saleem, et al. Ecdysone Protein Regulates Viral and Cellular mRNA Splicing to Promote Cervical Oncogenesis. Molecular Cancer Research, 2021.
- Irfana Saleem, S. Mirza, A. Sarkar, M. Raza, et al. The Mammalian Ecdysone Protein Interacts with RNA Helicase DDX39A To Regulate Nuclear mRNA Export. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2021.
- Appolinaire A. Olou, Aniruddha Sarkar, Irfana Saleem, et al. Mammalian ECD Protein Is a Novel Negative Regulator of the PERK Arm of the Unfolded Protein Response. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2017.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Certificate from UNMC for successfully completing “Teaching Online: Course Design, Delivery, and Teaching” Presence for doctoral students
- Teaching BMB 840 (Facilitator)
- Trained multiple summer interns and rotation students in Dr. Vimla Band's lab and Anthony Mustoe's lab.
- Cancer Biology and You, NIH- STEM student volunteer (leadership in training students)
Editorial Activities & Peer Review
- Springer Nature Reviewing Editor
- Completed 19+ peer reviews for international journals