Nikkitha Umesh Ganesh
Tewksbury,Massachusetts
Summary
Organized and visionary worker with fantastic skills in finding, compiling and presenting research findings quickly and accurately. Determined to maintain productivity through all steps of research procedures and data entry. Proven history of organizing projects for optimized results. Ambitious researcher dedicated to growing professionally and advancing the field of oncology and immunology through solid research. Experienced in designing studies and writing research papers.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Harvard Medical School/ Mass General Hospital
US
06.2021 - Current
- Developed and implemented research plans to investigate tumor-TME cross talk in tumorigenesis, invasion, proliferation, and metastases. Identified metabolic crosstalk between tumor and stroma, in particular fibroblasts, that enables the development of invasive respiration-deficient and hypoxic cancers (in collaboration with Koch institute, MIT (Prof Matthew Vander Heiden ) and University of Michigan (Dr Costas A Lyssiotis, )).
- Techniques include isolation and analysis of tissues from in vivo tumors, ex vivo analysis, primary cell cultures, direct and indirect co-culture, 3D cultures etc
- Organized and maintained laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies needed for experiments.
- Collaborated with colleagues in other departments to coordinate research efforts across multiple labs.
- Initiated collaborations with external laboratories working on similar projects.
- Assisted Principal Investigator with grant applications by providing background information and writing sections related to proposed projects.
- Performed quality control tests on samples before they are used in experiments.
- Mentored fellows and students to execute assigned tasks with validity.
Research Associate, PhD
University of Bologna
Italy
11.2017 - 03.2021
- Obtained the prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie [ITN] Early Stage Researcher Fellowship 'TRANSMIT' at the University of Bologna
- The project aimed to identify the mechanism of immune cell infiltration, in particular, macrophages, associated with OXPHOS deficit tumor and to understand its effect on tumor metabolism
- Initiated and coordinated several projects across different laboratories leading to successful publications
- Utilized advanced techniques such as proteomics, LC-MS metabolomics, CRISPR-Cas9, in vivo tumor experiments (blood extraction, tissue collection and isolation), ex vivo assays, 3D assays like tumor organoids, staining and extraction, in vivo tumor target therapy, gene cloning, transfection studies, protein expression analysis and cell-based assays.
- Examined experiment results to identify potential underlying causes for scientific findings.
- Developed plans to execute agreed-upon research projects within budget and time requirements in accordance with project TRANSMIT.
- Identified potential sources of error during experiments or analyses.
- Provided technical support to other researchers in the lab.
- Actively participated in weekly meetings with the research team to discuss progress towards project goals.
- Interpreted results of experiments and identified trends in data.
- Attended conferences related to research topics of interest.
- Assisted in writing grants proposals to secure funding for research projects.
- Outlined key research in documents, spreadsheets and reports.
- Communicated findings to clients using multimedia, narrative writing and presentation skills to tell informative and compelling stories.
Visiting Researcher
AvantiCell Science Ltd
Ayrshire, UK
10.2019 - 11.2019
- Generated mitochondrial complex I deficient 3D tumor organoids
- Analyzed cell viability and cell death in the 3D cancer models upon mitochondrial complex I inhibitors treatment
- Correspondence with external stakeholders
- Create and maintain documents, e.g., meeting minutes and timelines
- Maintained accurate records of all activities associated with each project.
- Evaluated existing datasets for relevance in ongoing projects or potential new initiatives.
Visiting Researcher
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, UK
02.2019 - 04.2019
- Performed LC-MS metabolomic analysis on mitochondrial complex I deficient (OXPHOS deficit) cells at Prof Christian Frezza's lab
- Generated first NDUFS3 Complex I knock-out models in murine melanoma cancer cell line using CRISPR-Cas9 technology
- Performed community outreach and represented organization in events and programs.
- Collaborated with other professionals to expand experiment scope and utilize more resources.
- Attended professional development seminars related to research methods.
- Supported other researchers in study- and project-related activities.
- Developed and managed budgets for research initiatives.
Research Assistant
Heinrich Heine University D¨usseldorf
Germany
11.2016 - 11.2017
- Worked on the project 'Identifying novel anti-cancer therapeutics in melanoma' and 'B cell activating factor (BAFF) attenuates immunosuppressive monocytes in the melanoma tumor micro-environment' with extensive studies of in vivo tumor innate immune cells, in addition to, screening of 770 pharmacologically active and/or FDA approved drugs for anti-cancer therapy
- Techniques include cell culture techniques and molecular biology techniques, ELISA's, Western blots, FACS, immunofluorescence, H and E staining, In vivo experiments , MTT assays and RT-PCR
- Animal research certification for in vivo studies issued by 'The Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations' (FELASA)
- Organized, labeled, and stored study biospecimens.
- Identified and compiled lists of potential research subjects in accordance with study objectives and parameters.
- Examined experiment results to identify potential underlying causes for scientific findings.
- Oversaw lab equipment stock and placed orders to expand inventory.
- Prepared reports, presentations and articles using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
- Set up, calibrated and maintained laboratory and field research equipment for requirements of study.
- Identified and fixed issues with lab equipment to achieve more accurate lab results.
- Assisted scientists in laboratory experiments to confirm research hypotheses.
- Verified accuracy of data by conducting quality assurance checks on collected materials.
- Assisted in the design and implementation of experimental protocols.
- Performed routine checks on sensitive lab equipment to achieve consistent and high-performing functionality.
- Managed multiple research projects simultaneously while ensuring accurate record keeping.
Research Technician
Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals
India
02.2016 - 08.2016
- Production and manufacturing of vaccines for sheep pox, PPR and Newcastle Disease
- The techniques used included large-scale cell culturing, egg candling, injecting the egg (amniotic sac) with the Newcastle virus, harvesting the egg (extracting the amniotic fluid), Freeze-drying, and cloning, amongst others
- Assisted in the project 'Expression of F protein of PPR virus in heterologous system' which included the molecular techniques PCR, ELISA, Protein purification, Large scale cell cultures, SNT, RNA/DNA extractions, and cloning, amongst others
- Contributed to the project 'canine mammary tumour' at IAHVB in collaboration with University College London under Dr
- Kantaraja Chindera which involved the use of techniques such as RNA extraction from tissue samples and PCR
- Collected data and performed laboratory experiments using standards and protocols.
- Supervised supplies in inventory and notified supervisor of low stock levels.
- Executed cell culture techniques such as aseptic technique, media preparation, cell passaging, cryopreservation, and thawing of cells.
- Performed routine maintenance on lab equipment such as pipetting devices and balances.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas consistently to avoid errors in data and research.
Education
Ph.D. - Cancer Metabolism
University of Bologna
03.2021
Master of Science - Cancer Cell And Molecular Biology
University of Leicester
01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology And Biochemistry
St. Mary's College
07.2014
Skills
- Molecular biological techniques -transfection/transduction
- Immunofluorescence microscopy
- Migration assays
- Co-immunoprecipitation
- Western blotting
- Use of shRNA knockdown
- RNAseq
- CRISPR(KO)
- QPCR
- ELISA
- Co-culture system analysis
- Sanger sequencing
- In vivo (mice)- tumor injection
- Blood collection
- Drug administration
- Ex vivo cultures
- Tumor interstitial fluid collection
- Hepatectomy
- BMDM isolation
- Stimulation and characterization
- TME (innate immune cells) isolation from tumors
- Metabolomics analysis
- Multi-color flow cytometry
- Seahorse respirometry
- Cloning
- Cell culture and primary cell cultures including isolated immune cells
- 3D culture and co-culture and imaging
- Scientific/technical writing
- Microsoft Office
- Graphpad
- FlowJo
- Metaboanalyst
- Project Management
- Data Collection
- Experimental Design
- Research Results Summarization
- Internet-Based Research
- Manuscript Preparation
- Attention to Detail
- Multivariate Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Presentation Preparation
- Specimen Collection
- Interpersonal Communication
- Research Protocol Development
Programming
- Beginner level- Python
- R
Languages
- English (fluent)
- Kannada (fluent)
- Italian (basic)
Awards
- Marie Sklodowska-Curie [ITN] Early Stage Researcher Fellowship PhD funded by an EU grant within the framework of the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programm "TRANSMIT" - TRANSlating the role of Mitochondria in Tumorigenesis
- Best poster - First prize poster presented at the 5th International conference on emerging trends in Applied biology, Biomedicine and Bio-Forensics, 30th November-1st December 2013
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Italian
Elementary
kannada
Native/ Bilingual
Affiliations
- Dancing
- Reading
- Painting
Accomplishments
2017 -Marie Sklodowska-Curie [ITN] Early Stage Researcher Fellowship
PhD funded by an EU grant within the framework of the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programm “TRANSMIT” – TRANSlating the role of Mitochondria in Tumorigenesis
2013 - Best poster- First prize poster presented at the 5th International conference on emerging trends in Applied biology, Biomedicine and Bio-Forensics, 30th November-1st December 2013.
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Harvard Medical School/ Mass General Hospital
06.2021 - Current
Visiting Researcher
AvantiCell Science Ltd
10.2019 - 11.2019
Visiting Researcher
University of Cambridge
02.2019 - 04.2019
Research Associate, PhD
University of Bologna
11.2017 - 03.2021
Research Assistant
Heinrich Heine University D¨usseldorf
11.2016 - 11.2017
Research Technician
Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals
02.2016 - 08.2016
Ph.D. - Cancer Metabolism
University of Bologna
Master of Science - Cancer Cell And Molecular Biology
University of Leicester
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology And Biochemistry
St. Mary's College
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