NEHA BIJU
Rochester,New York
Summary
Ph.D. candidate with a strong interest in epigenetics, developmental biology and gene-environment interactions. Experienced in project conception, experimental design, and troubleshooting. Skilled in animal handling and molecular biology techniques. Passionate about pursuing a career in scientific research and teaching.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Ph.D. Candidate | PI: Dr. Martha Susiarjo
University of Rochester Medical Centre
06.2023 - Current
Project 1: Prenatal Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Developmental Programming of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Utilizing a dietary mouse model to study the effects of prenatal vitamin B6 deficiency on tryptophan metabolism in fetal and neonatal pancreatic beta cells, and its metabolic consequences during adulthood.
- The project involves skills such as mouse dissections, conducting metabolic tests on live mice, immunofluorescence, image analysis, DNA, and RNA isolation for pyrosequencing, and RT-qPCR.
- Involved in project conception, experimental design, and planning.
Project 2: Role of CTCF in genomic imprinting of the Ido1-Ido2 locus in the mouse placenta.
- Decipher the role of the chromatin architectural protein, CTCF, in the parent-of-origin-specific expression of tryptophan-catabolizing enzymes, IDO1 and IDO2, in the mouse placenta.
- The project involves using bioinformatic tools to analyze publicly available methylation sequencing and ChIP-seq data, placenta isolation, targeted DNA methylation sequencing, ChIP-qPCR, and capture-c sequencing.
- Involved in project conception, experimental design, and planning.
MS Thesis | PI: Dr. Mohit Prasad
IISER Kolkata
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Investigated the role of TOR signaling pathway in Border cell migration during oogenesis in Drosophila Melanogaster.
- Involves fly genetics, immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence microscopy and live imaging.
- My contribution to the study involved finding downstream targets of TOR that regulate cell migration.
- This study has been submitted for publication in the journal Development on May 22nd 2025 (MS ID#: dev.204612R1)
Summer Intern| PI: Dr. Jayasri Das Sarma
IISER Kolkata
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Conducted a literature review identifying links between TGF-β signaling and mouse hepatitis virus effects on Connexin 43 in neural and glial cells.
- Summarized research findings and proposed experiments to address knowledge gaps in the field.
Summer Intern | Dr. Babu Sudhamalla
IISER Kolkata
05.2019 - 07.2019
- Conducted three-dimensional protein structure prediction of BRPF3 by homology modeling using the program MODELLER, and structure validation using ERRAT, PROSA, and Verify 3D.
- Conducted docking studies of the best-predicted model of BRPF3 bromodomain with acetylated histone ligands using AutoDock4, and predicted the binding residues.
Summer Intern | Dr. Axel Brockmann
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Observed mass flight and foraging activity of dwarf honey bees, Apis florea, and estimated the activity duration and time of occurrence.
- Created an ethogram of the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana.
- Involved training in behavioral observations, including ad libitum observations, scan, and all occurrences.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Genetics
University of Rochester Medical Centre
Rochester, NY01-2027
Bachelor of Science And Master of Science Dual Degree Program - Biological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science Education And Research (IISER)
Kolkata07-2022
Skills
Lab techniques
- Mouse dissection
- Islet isolation and culture
- Immunohistochemistry and microscopy
- Pyrosequencing
- Drosophila genetics
- PCR and RT-qPCR
- Western blot
Software tools
- Programming languages: R, Python
- Image analysis: ImageJ, Qupath
Soft skills
- Experimental design
- Problem solving
- Scientific communication
- Hands-on training
Publications
Manuscript Title: TOR signalling mediates the collective movement of border cells in Drosophila oogenesis.
Authors: Sudipta Halder; Sayan Acharjee; Adhisree Sharma; Neha Biju; Mincy Kunjumon; Rohan Jayant Khadilkar; Mohit Prasad
Submitted to the peer-reviewed journal ‘Development’ on May 22nd 2025.
Conferences And Symposiums
- Tri-Institutional Symposium on Reproductive Biology and Infertility (April 2025), organized by Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh. Presented Poster titled “Unveiling Ido1-Ido2 Imprinting Mechanism-Key Players in Maternal-Fetal Immune Interactions”
- Tri-Institutional Symposium on Reproductive Biology and Infertility (May 2024), organized by Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh. Presented Poster titled “Studying aberrant intrauterine environment on offspring metabolic health”
- Bilateral Indo-US Webinar on COVID Biology, August 2020, IISER Kolkata in collaboration with IISc Bangalore, University of Pennsylvania, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, USA.
- Nobel Prize Series, India 2018, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India in collaboration with Nobel Media AB National Science Camp.
Scholarship
Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Fellowship, awarded from August 2017 to May 2022, by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. KVPY is a prestigious national fellowship to support students pursuing education in basic sciences.
Relevant coursework and Workshops
- Advanced Genetics (UR, Instructor: Dr. Douglas Portman, Fall 2022)
- Developmental Biology (IISER Kolkata, Instructor: Dr. Mohit Prasad, Fall 2020)
- Epigenetics (IISER Kolkata, Instructor: Dr. Babu Sudhamalla, Fall 2020)
- Winter 2025 GRC Bioinformatics Workshop (UR, January 13th-16th 2025)
- Introduction to Quantitative Biology (UR, Instructor: Dr. Juilee Thakar, Spring 2023)
- Introduction to Statistical Computing (UR, Instructor: Dr. Matt McCall, Fall 2023)
Teaching Experience
- Teaching Assistant for the course Foundations in Modern Biology II (IND 432) (Instructor: Dr. Benoit Biteau) in Spring Semester of 2025 at University of Rochester. Responsibilities involved leading workshops discussions and grading.
- Teaching Assistant for the course ECHO (Endocrine Disrupting Chemical: Hazards and Opportunities) in Marine Biological Laboratory, Woodshole, MA in May 28th-30th 2024.
- Tutor for the course Foundations in Modern Biology II (IND 432) in Spring Semester of 2024 at University of Rochester. Responsibilities involved teaching course materials
- Teaching Assistant for CS1102: Introduction to Python in Spring 2022 at IISER Kolkata. Responsibilities involved supporting students through course material and workshops.
- Trained to undergraduate students, rotation students and lab technicians in Dr. Martha Susiarjo's lab. Provided hands-on training and supervised to an undergraduate student, from January - April 2025.
Timeline
Ph.D. Candidate | PI: Dr. Martha Susiarjo
University of Rochester Medical Centre
06.2023 - Current
MS Thesis | PI: Dr. Mohit Prasad
IISER Kolkata
08.2021 - 06.2022
Summer Intern| PI: Dr. Jayasri Das Sarma
IISER Kolkata
06.2020 - 08.2020
Summer Intern | Dr. Babu Sudhamalla
IISER Kolkata
05.2019 - 07.2019
Summer Intern | Dr. Axel Brockmann
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore
05.2018 - 07.2018
Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Genetics
University of Rochester Medical Centre
Bachelor of Science And Master of Science Dual Degree Program - Biological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science Education And Research (IISER)
Similar Profiles
HOLLY STINERHOLLY STINER
Supervisor, Academic Affairs at University of Rochester Medical CenterSupervisor, Academic Affairs at University of Rochester Medical Center
Maya GreenMaya Green
Clinical Technician at University of Rochester Medical CenterClinical Technician at University of Rochester Medical Center
Sandra BembrySandra Bembry
Help Desk Support Specialist II at University Of Rochester Medical CenterHelp Desk Support Specialist II at University Of Rochester Medical Center
Anthony PriviteraAnthony Privitera
Area Technical Operations Manager at Fresenius Medical Care NAArea Technical Operations Manager at Fresenius Medical Care NA
Anthony CaoAnthony Cao
Coffee Master at StarbucksCoffee Master at Starbucks