Nupur Kale
Worcester,MA
Summary
Dedicated and detail-oriented researcher with extensive experience in pharmacology, molecular biology, and genomic medicine. Proficient at assay development, critical thinking, and advanced molecular biology techniques. Highly adaptable and quick to learn, with a proactive approach to tackling complex challenges. Organized, inquisitive, and collaborative, with a strong work ethic and indomitable spirit committed to delivering meaningful scientific contributions .
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Associate II
UMass Chan School of Medicine
09.2024 - Current
- Plasmid Technology: Coordinated and conducted plasmid synthesis using Restriction cloning for 30+ constructs, including mitochondrial base editors and AAV vector plasmids
- This ensured rigorous quality control via nanopore sequencing and restriction digestion to achieve production targets
- In-Vitro Pharmacology: Established an In-Vitro platform for validating novel mitochondrial base editors to support future research initiatives using 5+ mammalian cell lines using fluorescence microscopy/ fluorescence validation assay
- Mouse Model Generation: Proactively underwent training to get hands-on experience in In-Vivo pharmacology techniques, including intraperitoneal (IP) and tail-vein (IV) dosing, ensuring seamless execution of In-Vivo mouse model generation studies in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice
- Laboratory Operations & Management: Played a key role in establishing laboratory set-up as the first member of the Ling Lab, optimizing grant allocation and resource use for efficiency
- Data analysis: Data entry, maintained spreadsheets, and statistical analysis of samples
- Laboratory inventory ordered lab supplies and maintained logbooks
- Led chemical inventory creation, ensuring EHS compliance and safety protocol adherence
- Gathered, arranged, and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
Pre-clinical Pharmacology Co-op
Alexion- AstraZeneca Rare Disease
07.2023 - 08.2024
- Protocol Optimization & Sample Processing: Managed protocol optimization and performed high-quality nucleic acid and protein extractions from over 500 samples (in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo) for NGS readouts supporting project decision-making
- Nucleic Acid Qualification: Qualified extracted nucleic acids for downstream applications using gel electrophoresis, Nanodrop, Qubit, and TapeStation
- NHP Biodistribution Studies: Conducted capsid library screening by amplifying RNA and DNA from more than 200 non-human primate (NHP) samples to assess transgene expression during NHP biodistribution studies
- In-Vivo capsid screening projects: Amplified RNA and DNA from 300+ mouse tissues using RT-PCR and PCR to evaluate BBB-crossing capsids, liver-targeting capsids, and liver de-targeting capsids for gene therapy applications
- Data Reproduction: Replicated findings from a published study to rank novel cardiotropic capsids using ddPCR
- Capsid Screening: Ranked novel capsids in primary human hepatocytes based on transduction efficacy in 3D cell-culture systems using fluorescence microscopy and ELISA
- Vector Production Characterization: Evaluated various High-throughput (HTP) AAV vector production purification and cell-line-based vector production technologies using in-vivo transgene expression in mouse liver
- Miscellaneous Projects: Protein Analysis: Analyzed protein expression using western blots
- INDEL Assay: Calculating INDEL editing percentages by analyzing sanger sequencing data in CRISPR ICE software
- Liquid Handler Optimization: Learned to use and optimize a liquid handler (Qiagility) to improve ddPCR efficiency
- Imaging & Quantification: Quantified Immunohistochemistry imaging using ImageJ and MATLAB
- Enzymatic Assays: Conducted various enzymatic assays to quantify enzyme activity (ALT assay) in in-vivo studies as a biomarker
- Software: Gained experience with GraphPad Prism, Quantasoft, SnapGene, and electronic lab notebooks (Lab Archives, Benchling, Biovia)
- Data Presentation: Synthesized and presented data insights during R&D meetings, driving clarity and focus on high-priority project objectives, improving alignment on project goals amongst cross-functional teams under the genomic medicine unit
- Tissue Culture: Maintained adherent cell lines like HEPG2, transfected cells to test lipofection and nucleofection reagents, maintained cells in aseptic conditions, used fluorescent microscopy-based imaging readouts for the transfected cells and transfected cells using AAV vectors on 293T cells
- Molecular Biology: DNA, RNA and Protein extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, ddPCR, RT-ddPCR, INDEL assay, Agarose gel electrophoresis
- Tapestation
Graduate Student
Northeastern University
09.2022 - 07.2023
- Project 1: Rhodamine 6G conjugated gold nanoparticle testing in TNBC cell-line
- Protocol Optimization & Sample Processing: Managed protocol optimization and performed high-quality nucleic acid and protein extractions from over 500 samples (in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo) for NGS readouts supporting project decision-making
Education
Master of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Northeastern University
Boston, MA08-2024
Bachelor of Science -
Institute of Chemical Technology
Mumbai07-2022
Skills
In-Vivo pharmacology skills: Tail-vein dosing (IV dosing), Intraperitoneal dosing (IP dosing), ear-notch-based genotyping, aseptic surgery training, necropsies
Molecular Biology skills: RNA, DNA and Protein extractions, ddPCR, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Reverse Transcription Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), INDEL assay, Agarose Gel electrophoresis, Assay development, Alkaline Gel electrophoresis, Miniprep, Maxiprep, molecular cloning, restriction digestion, elemental swapping between plasmids (T4 ligation), Gel extraction, restriction cloning
Aseptic techniques: Adherent Mammalian Cell Culture (humanized cell lines: HEPG2, A375, A375-RHO, A375-8993TtoG mutation, mouse cell line: Neuro-2A) and Suspension Mammalian Cell Culture (HEK293T), bacterial cell culture, transfection, transduction, transformation
Protein analytics: Western blotting, ELISA, BCA assay, ALT assay, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of slides, Enzymatic Assays
Certification
AALAS Animal Handling Training Certifications (Introduction to Mice, Working with the IACUC, Laboratory Animal Allergies, Essentials for IACUC members) (July 2023),
Python for genomic data science (Coursera- July 2024).
Timeline
Research Associate II
UMass Chan School of Medicine
09.2024 - Current
Pre-clinical Pharmacology Co-op
Alexion- AstraZeneca Rare Disease
07.2023 - 08.2024
Graduate Student
Northeastern University
09.2022 - 07.2023
Master of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science -
Institute of Chemical Technology
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