Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Leadership and professional engagement
Timeline
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Sanika Bodas

Omaha,NE

Summary

Versatile and results-driven professional with a unique combination of clinical expertise and advanced research acumen. With over 2 years of clinical dentistry experience, I excel in patient management, disease diagnosis, and treatment, delivering exceptional patient satisfaction through compassionate and competent care. Transitioned seamlessly from clinical practice to a research-focused career, showcasing adaptability and a commitment to scientific innovation. Currently advancing prostate cancer research by utilizing a broad spectrum of technical skills including basic bioinformatics analyses to complex genomic and epigenomic studies. Proficient in complex molecular techniques such as bisulfite sequencing, Sanger sequencing, lentiviral transduction, and advanced imaging like MicroCT. Experience in animal handling, including bone marrow and organ isolation, and histopathological analyses. Strong collaborator with experience in interdisciplinary projects, rapid autopsy protocols, and fostering partnerships through research contracts. Dedicated mentor with a proven track record of guiding Master’s students to achieve academic and professional success. Committed to translating research findings into meaningful clinical applications, bridging the gap between science and patient-centered care. Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Doctoral Research Assistant

University Of Nebraska Med Ctr
08.2019 - Current

1. Exploring the NRP2 methylation landscape in diverse Prostate cancer cell lines and tissue types: A Meta-Data Analysis.

  • Strategized and developed a novel approach to characterize DNA methylation using multi-parametric proceeds.
  • Employed in-vitro, in-silico and tissue-based approaches to identify and design a signature DNA methylation profile for a key regulator gene NRP2 in prostate cancer.

2.Characterization and optimization of protocols for efficient nucleic acid extraction from FFPE prostate tissues.

  • Successfully optimized RNA extraction protocols from FFPE samples resulting in 30% more yield and 25% improvement in the quality of RNA.

3. Conceptualization and advancement of a biomarker-based study to detect metastatic disease progression in prostate cancer using novel criteria.

  • Developed a study model utilizing cutting-edge genomics (single-cell sequencing) and transcriptomics (spatial transcriptomics) to advance current research.

4.Collaborated with interdisciplinary professionals to generate a novel molecule based biomarker profile targeting the NRP2 axis as a promising therapeutic intervention target based on the methylation profile analysis.


Student Research Assistant

Rutgers School Of Dental Medicine
06.2017 - 05.2019
  • Conducted advanced research in dental biology with a focus on enamel regeneration, investigating innovative approaches to restore and enhance enamel structure and function.
  • Designed and perfected cell culturing techniques for dental pulpal stem cells with a focus on vitamin D supplementation leading to optimal growth conditions of precious dental pulp stem cells.
  • Gained expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and laboratory techniques relevant to dental tissue engineering, contributing to a deeper understanding of regenerative dental therapies.
  • Mentored four undergraduate students to complete their research in oral biology leading to successful acceptance into leading dental schools.

Associate General Dentist

Dr.Piyush Halkare
06.2016 - 04.2017
  • Highly skilled and compassionate dentist with 2 years of clinical experience specializing in disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care.
  • Expertly executed common and advanced dental procedures involving minor surgeries.
  • Demonstrated expertise in managing diverse cases with a focus on providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
  • Adept at fostering trust and satisfaction through effective communication and precision in dental procedures, ensuring optimal oral health outcomes.

Education

Ph.D. - Molecular Genetics And Cell Biology

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE
03-2025

Master of Science - Oral Biology

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Newark, NJ
05-2019

B.D.S - Dental Surgery

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences
Nashik, India
05-2014

Skills

  • Histology and Pathology: Cryosectioning, Autopsy specimen storage and processing
  • Genetic and Molecular Biology: Nucleic Acid Isolation, cfDNA extraction, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, and qPCR
  • Biochemistry: Protein Quantification, Immunohistochemistry, FISH and Advanced Confocal Microscopy
  • Gene editing: Stable Lentiviral Transduction, In-vivo Cre-lox systems, conditional, and inducible gene knockouts
  • Bioinformatics, Modelling, and Simulation: Primer Design, Structure
  • Visualization and Analysis, Secondary Structure Prediction of Protein, MicroCT analysis
  • Computational programs and software: BioRender, GraphPad Prism, Aperio ImageWare, DataScan
  • Stem cell culturing with special focus on dental pulpal stem cells

Accomplishments

  • UNMC Assistantship and Fellowship (2022-2023).
  • UNMC Assistantship and Fellowship (2023-2024).
  • Research topic podcast by OncologyTube.

https://oncologytube.com/podcast-sanika-bodas-phd-unmc-aacr22-prostatecancer-understanding-neurophilin2-upregulation/

  • 3rd place for poster presentation at Balbo Day in Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
  • Best dissertation for " Ceramic Inlays and Onlays " in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics.


Leadership and professional engagement

  • Interprofessional Education Chair {2021-2022 }(Graduate Student Association, UNMC)

-Organized interprofessional education activities and workshops to create awareness about collaborative research in the graduate student community.

-Spearheaded events focused on problem-based learning involving participation from students in different health professions which enabled graduate students to brainstorm new research ideas with translational significance.

  • Student Representative {2022-2023} (Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology)

-Organized various educational and social events centered on strengthening student involvement, including but not limited to educational seminars, research retreats and poster symposium.

- Successfully bolstered student engagement and active participation in various departmental events leading to increased recognition and success of the graduate program.

Timeline

Doctoral Research Assistant

University Of Nebraska Med Ctr
08.2019 - Current

Student Research Assistant

Rutgers School Of Dental Medicine
06.2017 - 05.2019

Associate General Dentist

Dr.Piyush Halkare
06.2016 - 04.2017

Ph.D. - Molecular Genetics And Cell Biology

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Master of Science - Oral Biology

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

B.D.S - Dental Surgery

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences
Sanika Bodas