PAVAN SAI BALAJI RAJ
Farragut,TN
Summary
Graduate Research Assistant with experience in immunology, cell engineering, and functional assays. Skilled in macrophage engineering, CAR-based immunotherapy research, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, and advanced microscopy. Experienced in designing in‑vitro assays to study amyloid clearance and macrophage function. Seeking a biotechnology or biomedical research role where strong laboratory and analytical skills can contribute to translational research and therapeutic development.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Dr. Manasi Balachandran Lab, UTMCK
Knoxville, USA
01.2024 - Current
- Engineered macrophages via lentiviral transduction to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) targeting amyloid aggregates, enhancing understanding of immune response mechanisms.
- Isolated monocytes from PBMCs through density gradient centrifugation and magnetic bead‑based negative selection to facilitate downstream applications in immunological studies.
- Designed and executed quantitative phagocytosis assays with fluorescently labeled amyloid substrates to assess macrophage activity in amyloid clearance.
- Conducted multi‑parameter flow cytometry to validate CAR expression and macrophage activation markers.
- Performed immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy for cellular phenotyping and localization studies.
Intern
Indian Immunologicals Pvt Ltd
, India
01.2023 - 02.2023
- Supported vaccine production processes through cell culture, media preparation, and QC microbiological testing to ensure quality standards.
- Assisted in operation of industrial fermenter and execution of analytical validation procedures to maintain compliance.
- Assisted in quality control processes for vaccine production.
- Conducted research on immunological products and market trends.
- Collaborated with team members on project documentation and reporting.
Research Intern
Dr. John Akbar
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Executed bioinformatics analyses using BLAST sequence alignment to investigate enzyme interactions and characterize functional domains.
- Conducted literature reviews to gather relevant information for ongoing research projects.
- Assisted in data collection through surveys and experiments under supervision.
- Analyzed research findings using statistical software and reported insights to the team.
Education
M.S. - Comparative & Experimental Medicine
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee06-2026
B.S. - Biotechnology
Crescent Institute of Science and Technology
Chennai06-2024
Skills
- Cell Culture
- Immune Cell Isolation
- Molecular Assays
- Functional Assays
- Flow cytometry
- Immunofluorescence
- Microscopy
- Genetic Engineering
- Laboratory Techniques
- Quantitative analysis
- Data analysis
- Research methodology
- Technical writing
- Grant writing
- Research analysis
- Documentation requirements
- Software
Posters And Presentations
Topics include CAR‑macrophage engineering for amyloid clearance, personalized immunotherapy for amyloidosis, antigen‑antibody affinity, recombinant DNA applications, fermentation technology, and bioreactor design.
Publications
Akbar, J., Sai, P., 2024, Polar Microalgae, Sustainable Management of Urban Plastic Waste Through Circular Economic Approaches, A.P. Das, A. John, 1st ed., CRC Press
Selected Research Projects
- CAR‑Macrophages for Amyloid Clearance, Engineered macrophages expressing pan‑amyloid reactive CAR constructs using lentiviral transduction. Validated receptor expression via flow cytometry and localization using confocal microscopy. Functional assays demonstrated enhanced phagocytic clearance of amyloid aggregates.
- Isolation and Functional Testing of Human Monocytes, Optimized protocols for isolating high‑purity monocytes from PBMCs using density gradient centrifugation and magnetic separation. Conducted phagocytosis assays to establish baseline immune function and evaluate macrophage responses after genetic modification.
Current Research
Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Manasi Balachandran Lab, UTMCK, 01/24 - Present, Engineered macrophages using lentiviral transduction to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) targeting amyloid aggregates., Isolated monocytes from PBMCs using density gradient centrifugation and magnetic bead‑based negative selection., Designed and performed quantitative phagocytosis assays using fluorescently labeled amyloid substrates., Conducted multi‑parameter flow cytometry to validate CAR expression and macrophage activation markers., Performed immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy for cellular phenotyping and localization studies.
References
- Dr. Manasi Balachandran, mbalachandran@utmck.edu
- Dr. John Wall, JWall@utmck.edu
- Dr. Trevor Hancock, THancock1@utmck.edu
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
Dr. Manasi Balachandran Lab, UTMCK
01.2024 - Current
Intern
Indian Immunologicals Pvt Ltd
01.2023 - 02.2023
Research Intern
Dr. John Akbar
01.2022 - 05.2022
M.S. - Comparative & Experimental Medicine
University of Tennessee
B.S. - Biotechnology
Crescent Institute of Science and Technology