Namrata Choudhari

• Company Overview: acquired Tmunity Therapeutics in 2023
• Team Management:Led and motivated a diverse team, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes innovation, scientific excellence, and continuous improvement in research methodologies.
  Played a key role in project planning, execution, and troubleshooting, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and timelines.
  
• Mentorship & Development:Mentored junior scientists and team members, providing guidance on experimental design, troubleshooting, and professional development.
  Promoted a culture of knowledge-sharing and career growth within the team.
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Collaborated closely with various departments, including research, core facilities, and regulatory teams, to ensure effective communication and alignment, driving project success and regulatory compliance.
  
• Hands-on Innovation:
• Designed and optimized an in-house mRNA synthesis workflow incorporating modified nucleosides to improve stability and translation efficiency, directly enhancing gene expression applications.
  Engineered lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for mRNA encapsulation, achieving high encapsulation efficiency and stability by optimizing particle size, surface charge, and lipid composition.
  Conducted extensive characterization of LNPs, ensuring reliable gene delivery outcomes by analyzing key parameters such as particle size distribution, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency.
  

• Scalable CAR-T Cell Manufacturing PlatformSpearheaded the development of a novel, scalable CAR-T cell manufacturing platform using lentiviral vector transfection, achieving significantly improved transfection efficiency and streamlined production processes.
  Awarded a patent recognizing its contribution to advancing large-scale manufacturing in cell therapy.
  Expertise
• Allogeneic Platform DevelopmentContributed to the development of allogeneic platforms by optimizing protocols for scalable and reproducible gene editing applications across diverse cell lines.
  
• CRISPR/Cas Gene EditingExpertise in leveraging CRISPR/Cas technology for precise genomic modifications, including the generation of engineered cell lines for in vitro studies and functional assays.
  
• CAR T Cell TherapySkilled in the design and optimization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for targeted cancer immunotherapy, including developing and characterizing CAR constructs to enhance therapeutic precision and efficacy.
  
• Tumor BiologyExperienced in engineering primary T cells and other immune cells to improve therapeutic efficacy against tumor cells, contributing to advancements in tumor-targeted treatments.
  

• Biomarker IdentificationDiscovery of novel biomarkers as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for pediatric brain tumors.
  
• Epidemiological StudiesAnalysis of factors contributing to the elevated incidence of pediatric brain and central nervous system tumors in Kentucky.
  
• High-Throughput Data GenerationProduction of miRNA datasets supporting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas and enabling data discovery initiatives.
  
• Patient-Derived Tumor ModelsDevelopment and characterization of tumor cell lines for high-grade glioma (HGG) and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
  
• Liquid Biopsy DevelopmentConducting biomarker discovery studies using cellular and extracellular vesicle material to enhance diagnostic options for pediatric brain tumors.
  
• Gene Expression AnalysisUtilizing formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials for mRNA and miRNA gene expression studies with cutting-edge, commercially available platforms.
  

RNA-Based Therapeutics and CAR T-Cell Engineering Pediatric Cancer Research and Precision Medicine Kinase Signaling and Cellular Proliferation

• Innovative Therapies: Investigated RNA-based approaches to engineer modified Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells to target pediatric cancers, significantly improving the tolerability and safety profile of T-cell immunotherapies.
• mRNA Technology: Developed novel, stable, and highly efficient CAR-encoding mRNAs using advanced RNA modification, purification, and codon optimization techniques.
• Functional Studies: Expanded and activated cytotoxic T-cells from donors and patients, demonstrating efficacy in cytotoxicity assays against primary cancer cell lines.
• Preclinical Models: Evaluated these therapies in NOD/SCID mouse models for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), showing promising translational potential.
• Institutional Contribution: Established a technology platform that serves as a cornerstone for the Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (CD3B) at CHOP.
• Fusion BRAF Mutations in Gliomas: Conducted preclinical evaluations of oncogenic fusion BRAF mutations in pediatric low-grade gliomas, emphasizing molecular subtyping to enable personalized, targeted therapies while reducing chemo-radiation side effects.
• Cell Models and Techniques:Engineered preclinical cell models using DNA plasmid engineering, transfection, and retroviral systems.
  Explored signaling dysregulation and kinase activity using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme kinase assays.
  Tested novel BRAF-targeted therapies both in vitro and in vivo.
  
• Inositol Polyphosphate Multikinase (IPMK):Investigated the role of IPMK in cellular proliferation, focusing on its regulation of the Akt/PI3K pathway.
  Generated cell models expressing kinase-deficient or IPMK-knockout systems.
  Assessed kinase activity loss using enzyme kinetics assays and studied its effects on signaling dysregulation and proliferation through immunoblotting, reporter assays, and proliferation assays.
  

• Thyroid Hormone Analysis in Rats:Investigated the 24-hour variation of thyroid hormone levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of freely moving adult rats, contributing to the understanding of circadian rhythms and neuroendocrine interactions.
  
• In Vivo Surgical Procedures & Monitoring:Performed stereotaxic intracranial surgeries to implant electrodes and microdialysate probes for EEG monitoring, EMG monitoring, and CSF sampling in rats.
  Enabled continuous monitoring of brain activity and CSF composition, supporting research into neurophysiological and biochemical processes.
  
• CSF Composition and Protein Analysis:Analyzed CSF composition by separating CSF protein metabolites using reverse-phase chromatography (ESA CoulArray HPLC with C18 column).
  Characterized CSF proteins using advanced techniques such as HPLC, Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry, and Radioimmunoassay (RIA), advancing research into protein biomarkers and signaling pathways.
  
• Sleep Pattern and Data Analysis:Utilized TestPoint Software to analyze sleep patterns in rats, contributing to studies on sleep regulation and neurophysiology.
  
• Laboratory Management & Training:Managed laboratory stocks, safety protocols, and inspection logs to ensure a well-maintained, compliant, and efficient research environment.
  Trained work-study students, undergraduate students, and new hires, promoting a collaborative and educational laboratory atmosphere.
  

• Primary instructor for Introductory Biology 1 and 2 Laboratory course to undergraduate students and held weekly office hours

• Learned different techniques like-western blots, Agarose gel electrophoresis, extracting DNA, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, and microscopy