Varun Indugula
Cary,NC
Summary
Highly motivated and committed neuroscience student on the pre-med track at UNC-Chapel Hill with an interest in neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric studies. Currently involved in and eagerly pursuing neuroscience/neurology opportunities including clinical work/research, shadowing, and more in any clinical field where I can implement my methodology of interconnectedness and compassion to produce quality care and work.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Assistant
Stein Lab
Chapel Hill, NC
08.2023 - Current
- Currently conducting research under Dr. Jason Stein in the UNC Neuroscience Center within the Department of Genetics.
- Performed basic literature review to understand diSPIM imaging microscopy technology
- Developing data processing pipeline via MatLab to integrate and analyze large data files
Biology Peer Mentor
UNC Department of Biology
Chapel Hill, NC
08.2023 - Current
- Provided academic support and guidance to students in need of assistance for BIOL-205 at UNC (Cellular and Developmental Biology)
- Conducted one-on-one and/or group zoom meetings to discuss questions and concerns about study techniques, course content, etc.
- Chosen as a PM due to exceptional performance in the class when previously a student in the class.
Shadowing Student
UNC Health Care
Chapel Hill, NC
08.2021 - Current
- Attended virtual lectures and seminars to gain knowledge of medical practices and procedures.
- Participated in exercises with physicians and other healthcare personnel to discuss patient cases and engage in the diagnostic process.
- Gained insight into the daily operations of a hospital or clinic environment.
- 20+ hours of certified shadowing experience
Research Assistant
Advanced Computational Medicine Lab
Chapel Hill, NC
12.2021 - 08.2023
- Processed structural MRI images and lightsheet scans and controlled the quality of brain images for analyzing the dynamic network disruptions in Alzheimer’s disease and biomarkers across neurological disorders
- Analyzed human connectome data with a focus on early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 4D to acquire and share data about the structural and functional connectivity of the human brain
- Developing/testing new methods for whole-brain tissue clearing Early Brain Development Study: Isolate brain masking of MRI images of laboratory mice using ITK-SNAP software to ensure accuracy for further analyses of imaging data.
Student Researcher
Neurophysiology Data Science Lab
Chapel Hill, NC
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Conducted team-based neuroscience research in NSCI 290, a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) under Dr. Rachel Penton in a mentor-lead research lab environment within the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Utilized the Allen Institute for Brain Science’s Mouse Brain Atlas to examine sex differences in visual activity in the brain based on sex using Jupyter Notebooks
- Authored Journal of Neuroscience formatted paper and research poster, both produced at the end of the Lab
Lab Research Assistant
Center for Health Related Aerosol Studies (CHRAS)
Cincinnati, OH
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Worked within the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati SOM under Dr. Sergei Grinshpun and Dr. Tiina Reponen as a summer research assistant
- Gained experience conducting Gel Electrophoresis and PCR/qPCR procedures on lung flora samples as part of an asthma study in youth
- Aided lab researchers in other bench tasks such as solution preparation, equipment preparation/cleaning, general help
- Managed data for a second study regarding respiratory mask particulate efficacy; Conducted spreadsheet management and aided with data recording of mask particulate efficacy in human participants
Education
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC05.2024
High School Diploma -
Raleigh Charter High School
Raleigh, NC05.2020
Skills
Technical Skills
- General Lab proficiency/etiquette
- Micropipetting
- Solution Preparation
- PCR and qPCR
- Various forms of Titrations
- Analytical Separations
- Liquid Chromatography
- Gas Chromatography
- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis SDS-PAGE
- Spectrophotometry and Spectroscopy
- Verner Graphical and Spectral Analysis Software
- ITK-SNAP (Brain Imaging Software)
- Basic Python and Jupyter Notebook proficiency
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Data processing and statistical analysis
- American Red Cross Certified CPR Responder
Personal Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Team Management/Building
- Community Service
Certification
- GCP for Clinical Trials with Investigational Drugs, Biologics and Devices Course (CITI Program) Issued Jan 2024
- Group 1 Biomedical Research (CITI Program) Issued Jan 2024
Accomplishments
- Presented research on research conducted during NSCI 290 at in-lab research symposium; authored research paper and presented research poster
- Published in IMPULSE, a peer-reviewed, undergraduate, international and inter-institutional journal for publications in the neurosciences
Publications
- Joyce, K., & Indugula, V. (2023). Female Mice Show Increased V1 Inhibitory Neuronal Activity When Viewing Novel and Familiar Visual Stimuli Compared to Male Mice. IMPULSE, 20(1). Retrieved from https://impulse.pubpub.org/pub/r4kkflks
Affiliations
- Member and Mentee Student, Neuroscience Foundation Connectome Project (2023 - Present)
- Member, Triangle Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (2023 - Present)
- GSN Group Moderator + Member, Williams Syndrome Association (2021 - Present)
Outreach and Volunteering
- Urban Ministries of Wake County Food Pantry (2018-2020), 25 Hours
- Cary Teen Council (2018-2020), 55
- Carolina Health Samaritan Society (2021-Present), 10+
- Williams Syndrome Association (2021-Present), 10+
- NC Museum of Life and Science (2023 - Present), 50+
- UNC Hillsborough Hospital Campus (2024 - Present), 10+
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Telugu
Professional
French
Professional
Timeline
Research Assistant
Stein Lab
08.2023 - Current
Biology Peer Mentor
UNC Department of Biology
08.2023 - Current
Student Researcher
Neurophysiology Data Science Lab
01.2022 - 04.2022
Research Assistant
Advanced Computational Medicine Lab
12.2021 - 08.2023
Shadowing Student
UNC Health Care
08.2021 - Current
Lab Research Assistant
Center for Health Related Aerosol Studies (CHRAS)
06.2019 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
High School Diploma -
Raleigh Charter High School
Similar Profiles
Cortney FenielloCortney Feniello
Associate Attorney at Stein, Sudweeks & Stein, PLLCAssociate Attorney at Stein, Sudweeks & Stein, PLLC
Keisha Salmon-FullerKeisha Salmon-Fuller
Server at Stein Erikson Lodge 7700 Stein Way 435-649-3700Server at Stein Erikson Lodge 7700 Stein Way 435-649-3700
Edgar Linares SanchezEdgar Linares Sanchez
Houseman at Stein Erikson Lodge 7700 Stein Way 435-649-3700Houseman at Stein Erikson Lodge 7700 Stein Way 435-649-3700
Dillon MarrDillon Marr
General Manager - North Carolina at Secure Parking USAGeneral Manager - North Carolina at Secure Parking USA
Sarah Hope FitchSarah Hope Fitch
CCR Teacher (Literacy Focus) at Fred J. Carnage Middle SchoolCCR Teacher (Literacy Focus) at Fred J. Carnage Middle School