Rasika Sunnadeniya
Spicewood,Texas
Summary
Molecular Biologist with 8+ years of experience in Biotechnology industry, R&D and Manufacturing. Skilled in development and executing experimental research studies, analyzing data, collaborating and leading teams to complete projects. Adaptive person for a new role, applying previous expertise and knowledge, with excellent time management, organizational and troubleshooting skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist III
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Austin, TX
06.2018 - Current
- Performed development testing of next generation instrument and cartridge for automation of large-scale plasmid purification from bacterial cultures.
- Collaborated with engineering teams for instrument and cartridge design; prototypes testing, automated script optimization, and QC protocols.
- Lead development of a PCR cleanup product to remove impurities throughout next-generation sequencing workflows.
- Tested alternate consumables in nucleic isolation kits, due to supply chain disruption during Covid 19 pandemic.
Production Scientist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Austin, TX
01.2017 - 05.2018
- Performed clean room formulation of reagents, ensured that all products met specifications through testing before release from production line to comply with quality standards.
- Reviewed batch records for accuracy prior to release of finished goods.
- Maintained detailed documentation of all aspects of the production process according to GMP requirements.
- Managed raw material inventories (SAP system), ensured accurate record keeping and compliance with safety regulations.
Associate Scientist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Austin, TX
10.2015 - 09.2016
- Conducted research directly leading to development of sequential isolation of DNA and RNA from FFPE samples.
- Nucleic acid isolation from large number of FFPE samples for IVD application project for Small Cell Lung Cancer sequencing assay.
- Maintained accurate records of all experimental data and results.
Research Engineering Scientist
UT Austin
Austin, TX
02.2015 - 10.2015
- Performed molecular cloning to create gene knockout mutants (A collaboration with NASA to create gene knockout mutants with shRNA approach to study gravity response in single-cell model system, Ceratopteris richardii).
Graduate Research Assistant
UT Austin
Austin, TX
08.2008 - 12.2014
- Identified and functionally analyzed betalain biosynthetic pathway genes.
- Optimized RNA isolation protocols for difficult tissue types, RNA Seq from species in order Caryophyllales, and performed gene expression studies.
- Provided guidance to undergraduate students working on independent projects related to the main research focus.
- Conducted literature reviews and synthesized research findings in preparation for data analysis.
Education
PhD - Molecular Biosciences
The University of Texas at Austin
12.2014
BSc - Biotechnology
The University of Colombo
12.2005
Skills
- Product Development
- Experiment protocol development
- Requirements Gathering
- Results Analysis / Data Interpretation
- Technical Writing
- Manufacturing Processes
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Nucleic Acid purification and QC methods
- PCR, qPCR, Gel electrophoresis
- Molecular cloning / Model systems
- Microbiological techniques
- Library preparation and NGS
- MS Office tools, JMP
Areas of expertise
- Molecular Biology with applications in genetics and biochemistry.
- Product Commercialization Processes (PCP); Voice of Customer (VoC), Feasibility Testing, Write and evaluate Customer and Product Requirements, Design and execute experiments for product development, Formulation Guardbanding, Protocol Benchmarking, Stability testing, Verification and Validation Studies etc.
- Working in cross functional teams of Product management, Program management , Marketing, Quality, and Operations, as R&D lead or extended team member.
- Development of nucleic acid isolation kits and instruments.
- Manufacturing Processes.
- Technical writing, Writing and peer reviewing research manuscripts, Application Notes, User Guides, SOPs, Product web page material, Developmental reports and PCP documents.
Personal Information
Citizenship: US Citizen
Publications
- Hatlestad GJ*, Sunnadeniya RM*, Akhavan NA, Gonzalez A, Goldman IL, et al. (2012) The beet R locus encodes a new cytochrome P450 required for red betalain production. Nature Genetics 44:816-820 *Co-first authors.
- Hatlestad GJ, Akhavan NA, Sunnadeniya RM, Elam L, Cargile S, et al. (2015) The beet Y locus encodes an anthocyanin-MYB-like gene that activates the betalain red pigment pathway. Nature Genetics 47:92-96.
- Sunnadeniya R, Bean A, Brown M, Akhavan N, Hatlestad G, et al. (2016) Tyrosine Hydroxylation in Betalain Pigment Biosynthesis is Performed by Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Beets (Beta vulgaris). PLoS ONE 11(2).
- Bean A*, Sunnadeniya R*, Akhavan N, Campbell A, Brown M and Lloyd A. (2018) Gain‐of‐function mutations in beet DODA2 identify key residues for betalain pigment evolution. New Phytol, 219: 287-296. *Co-first authors.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Scientist III
Thermo Fisher Scientific
06.2018 - Current
Production Scientist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
01.2017 - 05.2018
Associate Scientist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
10.2015 - 09.2016
Research Engineering Scientist
UT Austin
02.2015 - 10.2015
Graduate Research Assistant
UT Austin
08.2008 - 12.2014
PhD - Molecular Biosciences
The University of Texas at Austin
BSc - Biotechnology
The University of Colombo
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