Category: AGRICULTURE

         RESEARCH SCIENTIST       Summary     Highly motivated Research Scientist possessing proficiency in numerous disciplines of the biotechnology and in-vitro diagnostic ( IVD ) industry.     Self starter  •knowledgeable  •analytical  •decision maker  •effective natural leader   Adaptable,  Analytical, Dedicated, Driven, Effective, Focused, Hardworking, Highly motivated, Innovative Meticulous,  Multi-task-oriented, Organized, Outstanding, Performance driven, Personable,  Pragmatic, Proactive, Productive, Proficient, Skilled, Versatile       Highlights        EndNote, Softmax Pro, MS-Office Suite ( Excel, PowerPoint & Word ), C/C++, Windows & Mac OS.            Accomplishments      To Discover and Characterize Epigenetic Modifications of Chromatin That Can Affect Organismal Lifespan (2012) Carried out reverse genetic screen to identify mutations in Histone H3 & H4 that might affect yeast growth in varying nutrient conditions.  Identified a histone acetyl transferase, SAS2 that modifies H3K14A under nutrient stress based on microarray analysis and protein expression studies using Western Blot analysis.  Molecular Characterization of Root Nodule Associated Bacteria (2011) Successfully isolated root nodule associated bacteria from naturally grown legumes.  Carried out molecular characterization through isolation of plasmid DNA & subsequent restriction enzyme analysis Mass Cultivation & Optimization of Biofuel Production by Using Microalgae (2011) Accomplished optimization of mass cultivation of microalgae.  Successfully carried out pilot scale studies of biofuel extraction from the microalgae & HPLC studies on the fuel.  Awarded 1st place for Paper presentation at BITS-Pilani, Dubai Annual Technical Conference-2010 Awarded 2nd place for Poster presentation at the Engineering Student Renewable Energy Competition-2011 Isolation & Characterization of Bacterial Strains for Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Oil Spills (2009) Successfully isolated bacterial strains from soil contaminated with oil spills.  Achieved degradation of various hydrocarbon sources which was monitored using UV/Visible Spectroscopy.  Awarded 1st place at the BITS-Pilani, Dubai Annual Technical Conference - 2009 SKILLS Interpersonal skills: Effective communicator, quick learner and adaptable.  Effective leader Integral part of the organizing committee for events by Chimera Biotechnology Club - BITS Pilani Dubai Communication Key communication point to management for current project at Saladax Biomedical,Inc.  Give presentations and lead team discussions on a regular basis as a Research Scientist at Saladax Biomedical, Inc.        Experience      Research Scientist     Jun 2013   to   Current      Company Name   －   City  ,   State     Develop automated immunochemical based diagnostic assays (ELISA) for oncology drugs which enable patients to receive chemotherapy drugs in doses individualized to their personal needs.  De facto leader for a project to troubleshoot an existing diagnostic assay to improve sensitivity and reproducibility as well as to accommodate a new dosing regimen for the same drug.  Responsible for designing and carrying out experiments in a GLP/GMP environment as well as analyzing data and presenting it.  Key communication point to the management.  Responsible for writing regulatory reports.  Currently a member of another team developing an assay for an oncology drug.         Investigative Toxicology Intern     Jun 2012   to   Aug 2012      Company Name   －   City  ,   State     Gained expertise in preclinical drug development with emphasis on toxicology.  Enhanced molecular biology laboratory skills in techniques such as RT-PCR, & ELISA.  Using statistical analysis, successfully identified a gene signature from RT-PCR data for drug induced liver oxidative stress.  Successfully carried out Assay Qualification and Validation for MesoScale Discovery Assay (ELISA).  Enhanced communication skills through regular presentations in the organization.         Research Assistant     Aug 2010   to   Jan 2011      Company Name   －   City       Acquired substantial experience in R&D working on a project titled 'Isolation, Characterization & Cross Inoculation Studies of Rhizobia under Salinity Conditions'.  Successfully isolated rhizobial species that survived up to a salinity of 40 dS/m, almost as high as sea water.         Intern     Jun 2009   to   Jul 2009      Company Name   －   City       Worked as part of a team in the Biochemistry, Immunology & Hematology departments.  Successfully carried out statistical analysis of lipid profiles of patients and submitted a report on the same.         Education      Masters of Science  ,   Biotechnology   5 2013     University of Pennsylvania          GPA:   GPA: 3.83/4.0   Biotechnology GPA: 3.83/4.0       Bachelor of Engineering (Honors)  ,   Biotechnology    Birla Institute of Technology & Science   －   City        GPA:   GPA: 9.62/10   Biotechnology GPA: 9.62/10       Publications    Isolation and characterization of salt-tolerant rhizobia native to the desert soils of United Arab Emirates
Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture (Plant Science), 2013. Vol 25, No 2 (2013): February
- Selected by Science Development Network for their highlights.      Interests    Team player 
- Currently part of a team, developing a diagnostic assay to detect a chemotherapy drug at Saladax Biomedical.
- Volunteered for non-profit organizations like National Association of the Blind & National Cancer Rose Day.      Skills    C, C++, communication skills, designing, ELISA, GLP, GMP, Mac OS, Excel, MS-Office Suite, PowerPoint, Windows, Word, OS, presenting, presentations, RT-PCR, statistical analysis, troubleshoot, Validation      Additional Information      Team player 
- Currently part of a team, developing a diagnostic assay to detect a chemotherapy drug at Saladax Biomedical.
- Volunteered for non-profit organizations like National Association of the Blind & National Cancer Rose Day.