Nikitha Manikonda

Ambitious and detail-oriented undergraduate in Bioinformatics with a minor in Computer Science. Skilled in programming languages of python and java, data analysis, and computational sciences. Active participant in Bioinformatics organizations and symposiums, presenting research on Mycobacteriophage discoveries. Leadership roles in extracurriculars showcase teamwork, creativity, and dedication. Seeking an internship to apply classroom knowledge, expand technical skills, and contribute to innovative projects while learning from industry professionals.

• The Phage of Enlightenment: Mycobacteriophage Discoveries of Fall 2021, T Bhor, R Pulla, N Manikonda, A Safeer, A Johnson, VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, 04/2022, discovery and characterization of a phage, and preparation of one figure
• The Phage of Enlightenment: Mycobacteriophage Discoveries of Fall 2021, T Bhor, R Pulla, N Manikonda, A Safeer, A Johnson, SEA Symposium (virtual), 04/2022, discovery and characterization of a phage, and preparation of one figure

Bioinformatics with a concentration in computational sciences, Computer Science Minor, Virginia Commonwealth University

• 2024 VCU Ricochet Raas 3rd Place at East Coast Showdown official Bid Competition
• 2024 VCU Ricochet Raas 3rd Place at Blacksburg ki Badmashi official Bid Competition
• 2024 VCU Ricochet Raas 3rd Place at Nasha official Bid Competition
• 2023 VCU Ricochet Raas 1st Place at Gateway to Raas official Bid Competition
• 2023 VCU Ricochet Raas 3rd Place at Blacksburg ki Badmashi official Bid Competition
• 2020 Odyssey of the Mind World Competition (virtual, placing 26th out of 59 teams)
• 2018 Destination Imagination World Competition (placing 22nd out of 83 teams)
• 2017 Destination Imagination World Competition (placing 10th out of 86 teams)
• 2019 Odyssey of the Mind Virginia State Competition (placing 3rd out of 4 teams)
• Senior Diploma Certificate: Level IV (6 solo dances, written exam) (Completed in 2020)
• Senior Diploma Certificate: Level III (6 solo dances, written exam) (Completed in 2019)
• Junior Diploma Certificate: Level II (5 solo dances, written exam) (Completed in 2018)
• Junior Diploma Certificate: Level I (5 solo dances, written exam)(Completed in 2017)

VCU Ricochet Raas

• Choreographer (2023-2024), competitive roster member(2022-2024), and dancer (2021-2022) on the premier Garba-Raas team
• Spent 14 hours a week dancing as a competitive roster member. Spent an additional 9 hours per week as a choreographer creating choreography, formations, production elements etc. Traveled around the country and garnered 5 national top three placings in my two competitive seasons.

Indian Classical Dance (Grade 1 - present)

• Internationally certified classical Indian dancer (Kuchipudi)
• Completed four levels of diploma certification, an equivalent of 16 collegiate credits over 11 years through Junior and Senior levels
• SAMPADA certification is the highest level of certification for pre-collegiate students granted by the internationally renowned Silicon Andhra Music, Performing Arts and Dance Academy affiliated with Telugu University, India
• Completed Kuchipudi Rangapravesham - Solo Showcase performing six different dances all adding to an hour in length, including dancing on the rim of a brass plate
• Performed in multiple prestigious venues including at the Capitol Hill outdoor venue
• Dance tutor: volunteered consistently at the Dance school to assist younger students, maturing in character - true to the art form by building up younger apprentice dancers

River City Raas Executive Board

• Competition Board that plans and hosts a premier Raas-Garba Competition for 8 different teams around the country
• Mixer Chair (2024 & 2023)

The Pasupu Blog (2020- present)

• Co-founded & Co-authored original blog pieces on a variety of topics (sexism, colorism, racism, being south-asian americn etc.) conducted interviews, stimulated and oversaw discussion groups, ran multiple surveys to gather reader perspectives and data
• https://www.thepasupu.blog/

Undergraduate Society of Bioinformatics (USB) at VCU

• Member (2021-2024)
• Was an active member of the USB at VCU. Participated in monthly meetings, attended various BNFO skills workshops for Python, Java, R etc.

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) and Destination Imagination (DI)

• Captain of Riverside Odyssey of the Mind Team (Grade 12)
• Founder, Captain of Riverside Odyssey of the Mind Team (Grades 10-11)
• Co-Founder, Captain of Loudoun County Destination Imagination Team (Grade 9)
• Honed leadership skills founding, leading, and teaching my team of 7 students to work on multiple projects that involved scientific research, engineering, and innovative technology. Each year for our competitions we created multiple work pieces like robots, electrical and mechanical equipment and systems with creativity and solid engineering design. Our work combined technology with creative arts and performance. Our team’s success was recognized multiple years, winning past local and state competitions onto the prestigious world stage.

• Volunteer Dance Instructor (2017- prsent)
• Volunteer Math tutor through Mu, Alpha, Theta, NHS (2019-2021)
• Volunteer one-on-one Math tutor and mentor for an elementary school student through entire 2019-2020 school year
• Volunteer Peer Assistant to students in French (2019-2021)