SHWETHA SHANKAR
Wayland,MA
Summary
Skilled Researcher enthusiastic about supporting advancements in RNA medicine and mRNA drug development. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements. Ready to apply knowledge and 5 years of experience in research. Orderly and focused researcher dedicated to innovative, dynamic and organized work. Successful at maintaining accuracy and productivity through long and short-term projects with proven history of efficiency. Extensive knowledge of Molecular Biology and Immunology research and skill in finding additional funding for projects.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Research Associate
Myeloid Therapeutics
04.2022 - Current
- Assisted in design, production, purification, and testing of novel RNA constructs for discovery research/protein science and translation research groups.
- Contributed to optimization of therapeutic mRNAs to support company’s pre-clinical and clinical efforts.
- Achieved tough timelines for RNA production and characterization of research grade mRNAs to support company’s drug development program, and exceeded expectation in project involvement.
- Performed numerous cutting-edge research on novel methods to improve mRNA stability and expression in myeloid cells using Lipofectamine transfection system and MaxCyte Electroporation technique.
- Designed and performed experiments with molecular cloning using various cloning techniques such as Gibson Assembly and Quick Ligase methods.
- Conducted independent research to validate efficacy of solutions, assimilated results and prepare written technical reports.
- Compiled data in reports and other documents using, Prism and FlowJo, distributing to appropriate stakeholders.
- Maintained knowledge of company strategic direction, goals and objectives and aligned projects appropriately.
- Communicated project status to discovery team management verbally and through technical documentation and presentations.
- Designed and executed studies to support usability of solutions, analyze data and provide actionable recommendations to project team.
- Achieved project objectives by troubleshooting experiments and testing practical and creative solutions.
- Generated and upload assay data and communicated results and reports to multi-disciplinary project teams to influence progression in discovery and development.
- Performed research into study topics to increase knowledge and to provide valuable contributions.
- Initiated, planned and executed research projects under supervision of senior scientist.
- Cut research supply costs by $7000 annually through keeping precise and diligent records of supplies used and needed in Benchling.
- Synthesized and utilized key information from proposals, technical reports and publications to achieve objectives.
Research Associate III
Twist Bioscience
11.2020 - 04.2022
- Performed high throughput DNA/RNA extraction and quantified nucleic for molecular biology applications
such as gene cloning and single B cell discovery for antibody research. - Executed NGS analysis with bioinformatics tool and assessed sample details for qualifying event.
- Integrated Bioinformatics skills for NGS-based antibody analysis software (eg. Geneious Biologics) for computational and statistical data analysis.
- Analyzed and interpreted NGS and Sanger sequencing patterns and trends with antibody sequences for unique variants and submitted report/data analysis to project management team for client's selection for unique sequences.
- Assisted protein scientists by collecting and organizing laboratory data from HPLC.
- Analyzed results using analytical software such as Genious Biologics and created reports.
- Executed High Throughput Parental Sequencing based protocols for rapid sequence identification and data interpretation.
- Experienced in Hybridoma based PCR set up and diligently documented experimental procedures, data review
- Developed new protocols and improved existing laboratory processes.
- Provided support and guidance to junior lab staff.
Molecular Scientist Intern
Skippack Medical lab
08.2020 - 11.2020
- Provided laboratory services for physicians needing information for disease diagnosis and treatment
- Performed routine tests by One step and Two step RT PCR and qPCR reactions for clinical samples eg
- COVID 19
- Ensured data entry in accordance with guidelines and analyzed results to interpret data generated from the clinical samples
- Conducted routine and non-routine testing of samples
- Prepared necessary standards, solutions, reagents, media, and samples for sample analyses
- Utilized specialized laboratory equipment and instrumentation to process and analyze samples
- Following established SOP’s and adhering to state, federal and other accrediting body requirements
- Performed equipment and instrumentation set up
- Validated and maintain data integrity activity for peer review journal
- Monitored and addressed sample backlog issues and troubleshooting activity
- Maintained accurate, up to date logs, notebooks, and equipment records
- Perform necessary laboratory administrative functions such as filing paperwork, photocopying, reviewing of data, and entering data into computerized LIMS up to date with scientific R&D.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Houston Clear Lake
08.2018 - 05.2020
- Supervised as Graduate Teaching Assistant for Microbiology class consisting 48 students providing key assistance with media preparation, Microbiology Lab skills, and instrument handling
- Reappointed as TA for Anatomy Lab for spring 2019 semester consisting 120 students
- Provided one on one key learning tips and advices promoting concepts related to anatomical parts isolated from experimental animals
- Assisted students with efficient learning process through video tutorials and conducting exclusive open lab hours for extended guidance.
Research Associate III
University Of Houston Clear Lake
06.2019 - 01.2020
- Processed in DNA/RNA extraction and quantified nucleic for molecular biology applications such as gene cloning and single B cell discovery for antibody research
- Executed NGS analysis with bioinformatics tool and assessed sample details for qualifying event
- Integrated Bioinformatics skills for NGS-based antibody analysis software (eg
- Geneious Biologics) for computational and statistical data analysis
- Executed High Throughput Parental Sequencing based protocols for rapid sequence identification and data interpretation
- Experienced in Hybridoma based PCR set up and diligently documented experimental procedures, data review., Independent study: Cloning and Expression of Toluene dioxygenase gene todc1c2 in E
- Coli
- Processed competent E
- Coli BL 21 (DE3) strain and isolated plasmids using plasmid Miniprepkits
- Quantified and assessed DNA concentration for presence of gene of Interest inpreferred bacterial host cells
- Prepared samples for Sanger Sequencing and Analyzed genetic sequence obtained with TodC1C2BADE genes using Nucleotide Blast to authenticate strains generated
- Studied SDS PAGE to isolate fusion proteins and performed purification of fusion proteins using CaM affinity Chromatography.
MGM New Bombay Hospital
12.2017 - 05.2018
- B
- Tech Thesis research: “Effect of Sunlight as the source of Natural Radiation on the induction of Micronuclei in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Children born with congenital disorders.”
- Isolated and harvested PBMCs to identify occurrence of micronuclei in a total 32 cases and interpreted results statistically by T-test, Chi Square test& case specific graphical representation
- Drafted informed consent forms and conducted workshops briefing the participants of potential risk factors and benefits of study.
D.Y. Patil University
07.2017 - 01.2018
- TEDx Research and Curation
- Researched 6 Potential TEDx Speaker and curated speaker's talk for University event
- Executed descriptive research and analysis of talks of some of most eminent personalities from various field viz. Medical specialist to Robotics Engineer's entrepreneurial journey.
- Medical, entrepreneurship and soon
- Directed Team Management, Technical assistance & Public Relations promotions.
Aaranya Biosciences
05.2017 - 06.2017
- Project: Identification of Variation Ofhuman Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Gene in A549 Cell Line
- Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) rs7725281 at 5p.15 position at intron 3 of TERT gene as key role in causing lung cancer identified as common novel variant with prostate cancer SNP rs2242652 with C>T transition at same site of gene of interest.”
- Performed Polymerase Chain Reaction, Agarose Gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing
- Integrated Bioinformatics tools Human splice Finder, BLAST, CLUSTALW, PubMed, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel (including a high proficiency with generating pivot tables and graphs), and Power Point
- Performed DNA quantification by NanoDrop method and UV Transilluminator.
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology, Molecular Biotechnology
University of Houston Clear Lake
Clear Lake, TX05.2020
Bachelor of Technology - Biotechnology
D.Y. Patil University
Mumbai, Cambridge, Massachusetts06.2018
Skills
- TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Process improvement and optimization Product development Molecular Biotechnology and lab skills l Myeloid cells and iPSC cells culturing and analysis Cytogenetics Bioinformatics
- Molecular Biology:
- DNA/RNA isolation, Gel Electrophoresis/ Purification & PCR product analysis , Plasmid mini—Prep, restriction enzyme digestion, chromatography technique (HIC, Size exclusion), Cloning (TA cloning, Traditional, Gibson Assembly), Vector designing, NGS, Bioinformatics ( Database search tools, Structure remodeling and active site prediction, Clustal omega, ENSEMBL), CRIPSR CAS9, designing gRNA, Preparation of competent cells, Transformation, Protein Expression-Extraction and Quantification, PCR (RT-PCR, qPCR, colony PCR), Southern Blot Western Blot, SOP management, Data analysis & interpretations
- Cell Culture Techniques: Primary cell culture (Growth and Maintenance of primary cell line), Continuous cell line (HEK293, A549, CHO cell line), Passaging and trypsinization, Cell Viability assay, Cryopreservation, Hemocytometer counting, Flow cytometry analysis, Transfection of cells via Lipofectamine, Maxcyte Electroporation, Cytogenetic: Karyotyping and FISH analysis
- Microscopy: CK2 Phase contrast, Light microscopy
- Interpreting Results
- Inventory reviews
- Lab safety
- Data analysis
- Lab operations
- Expertise in Genomic analysis
- Experiment Design
- Advanced synthesis and characterization
Accomplishments
- Baylor College of Medicine|Houston, TX
- Sep
- 2019-Sept 2019 Basics of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Hands on workshop Human StemCell Core
- Visual inspection of differentiating stem cells, thawing irradiated Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts (MEFs) on Gelatin, Coating plates with Matrigel, thawing and passaging of hPSCs on Matrigel and MEFs, Single cell and Clump Passaging hPSCs on Matrigel, Alkaline phosphate staining and Live Staining of hPSCs, Cell viability analysis, 4D nucleofection of hPSCs.
Timeline
Senior Research Associate
Myeloid Therapeutics
04.2022 - Current
Research Associate III
Twist Bioscience
11.2020 - 04.2022
Molecular Scientist Intern
Skippack Medical lab
08.2020 - 11.2020
Research Associate III
University Of Houston Clear Lake
06.2019 - 01.2020
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Houston Clear Lake
08.2018 - 05.2020
MGM New Bombay Hospital
12.2017 - 05.2018
D.Y. Patil University
07.2017 - 01.2018
Aaranya Biosciences
05.2017 - 06.2017
Master of Science - Biotechnology, Molecular Biotechnology
University of Houston Clear Lake
Bachelor of Technology - Biotechnology
D.Y. Patil University
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