Gitanjali Sharma

acepnj@r.postjobfree.com *** Summer street, Apt # 102,

412-***-**** (Cell) Malden, MA, 02148

SUMMARY

Goal oriented, drug delivery & formulation research scientist with 7+ years of experience in academia and industry. Broad

scientific knowledge in synthesis and evaluation of lipid-based and polymeric nanoparticles for target delivery of small

molecules and nucleic acids. Extensive experience in in vivo and in vitro analysis of drug delivery agents and related

studies/techniques. Excellent written and communication skills as demonstrated by publications and presentations.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS PROFILE

- Formulation and evaluation of solid dosage, controlled release & targeted drug/gene delivery vehicles

- Synthesis and characterization of targeted liposomal vector using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential,

encapsulation efficiency, UV-Vis/fluorescence spectroscopy, HPLC

- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for surface/morphological characterization of liposomes

- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), protein stability, lyophilization, transition temperature

- Maintained various cell lines and primary cell cultures, established 2D and 3D in vitro cell based

- Immunohistochemistry (IHC), histology, agarose gel electrophoresis, ELISA, confocal laser scanning microscopy,

scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

In vitro transfection studies and evaluation of gene expression (β-galactosidase assay and flow cytometeric analysis)

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- Near Infra-red in vivo imaging of whole animals/isolated organs for investigating the biodistribution of liposomes

- Performed statistical analysis of research data & gained proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Sigma plot, power

- Familiar with GLP/GMP requirements, scale up & technology transfer

EDUCATION

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2009- 2014 with GPA 4.0/4.0

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant, 2008-2009 with GPA 3.8/4.0

Graduate student in the PhD program at Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

MS in Pharmaceutics, 2005-2007

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

BS in Pharmacy (B. Pharmacy), 2000-2004

Univ. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

HONORS AND AWARDS

The honor society of Phi Kappa Phi: Invited Member

Awarded with Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (2013)

Awarded with American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAiPS) Student Scholar Award (2012)

Graduate student assistantship and teaching assistantship from North Dakota State University, Fargo

Junior Research Fellowship awarded by University Grants Commission (UGC) for pursuing Master’s degree in Pharmacy

at Banaras Hindu University, India

Full tuition fee waiver and teaching assistantship from University of Pittsburgh, PA

MEMBERSHIP IN SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). 2007-Present

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Gitanjali Sharma

PROFESSIONAL & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Drug Delivery Alliance, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA June 2013-Aug 2013

Research Intern

At Vertex, I was part of the research and development alliance team for analyzing the established drug delivery technologies

and evaluating new drug delivery technologies. In the process we identified the gaps in Vertex drug delivery research

followed by mapping ne w opportunities for the company to explore and improve the current drug delivery initiatives .

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Aug 2009- May 2014

Research & Teaching Assistant

The overall goal of my doctoral research was to design a vector for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes/drugs across blood

brain barrier (BBB). Specifically, my research was focused on designing PEGylated liposomes, surface modified with

targeting protein and cell penetrating peptide for enhancing the delivery of desired molecules across BBB. I evaluated the in

vitro cell uptake and transfection, of the above lip osomes, in different cell lines. In addition, I designed an in vitro model of

BBB and a 3-D brain tumor model to evaluate the transport of liposomes across the barrier layer. I also performed in vivo

biodistribution studies with the liposomes.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Aug 2008- Aug 2009

Graduate student & Teaching Assistant

I worked as a graduate student at University of Pittsburgh. My research work was focused on formulation and

characterization of drug delivery systems for use in microbicide products. I was involved in preparation of biodegradable

polymeric films using thin film applicator and characterized the films for solubility, drug release, drug content, physical

strength and tissue toxicity (MTT assay). I worked with different instruments like Texture anal yzer, Karl Fischer instrument,

autoclave and film forming-thin film applicator. The research was performed in collaboration with Conrad Pharmaceuticals.

Formulation and Development, Panacea Biotech Ltd., Lalru, India July 2006-Aug 2007

Research Intern (Master’s Degree Project)

I worked as a trainee in the Formulation Development Department of Panacea Biotech Ltd. The main objective of my

research work was to develop soft chewable dosage forms for delivery of calcium supplementing agent. I was also involved

in formulation and evaluation of matrix tablets, evaluation drug release using UV-Vis spectroscopy, evaluating parameters

like disintegration time, dissolution time, hardness and friability and stability testing of the final dosage form.

Quantum solutions, Contract research organization, Chandigarh, India Nov 2007- July 2008

Pharmacovigilance Scientist

I was involved in performing extensive literature search and processing of data from source documents, sent by client

pharmaceutical companies, into Drug safety/Pharmacovigilance data base. I was also involved in reviewing of the adverse

effects of drugs and other related confounding factors and recording them in the database, following established guidelines.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2012 Chicago, IL: Poster Presentation

PGSRM 2012, Omaha, NE: Poster Presentation

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2011 Washington DC: Poster Presentation

PGSRM 2011 Wisconsin, MD: Poster Presentation

Experimental biology 2011 Washington DC

PGSRM 2010 Columbus, Ohio: Poster Presentation

58th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Dec 2006 held at Mumbai, India: Podia Presentation

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society) 2010-Present, Member (Invited)

Pharmacy Nursing & Allied Sciences (PNAS), NDSU 2009-2013, Ambassador

NDSU Student Chapter, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) 2010-2012, Secretary

NDSU Search Committee for faculty position, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010- 2013, Member

NDSU Student Affairs Committee, Pharmacy Nursing &Allied Sciences 2011- 2013, Member

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Gitanjali Sharma

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

MANUSCRIPTS

- Sharma G, Modgil A, Sun C, Singh J. Grafting of Cell Penetrating Peptide to Receptor Targeted Liposomes Improves

their Transfection Efficiency and Transport across Blood Brain Barrier Model . J Pharm Sci 2012; 101 (7): 2468-2478

- Sharma G, Modgil A, Layek B, Arora K, Sun C, Law B, Singh J. Cell Penetrating Peptide Tethered Bi-ligand

Liposomes for Delivery to Brain in vivo: Biodistribution and Transfection. J Control Release 2013; 167(1): 1-10

- Sharma G, Modgil A, Zhong T, Sun C, Singh J. Influence of Short-Chain Cell-Penetrating Peptides on Transport of

Doxorubicin Encapsulating Receptor-Targeted Liposomes Across Brain Endothelial Barrier. Pharm Res, DOI

10.1007/s11095-013-1242-x.

Sharma G and Mishra B. Piperine – A therapeutic agent and bioavailability enhancer. J Pharm Res. 2007; 6(3):129-

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133- Review article

- Layek B, Haldar M, Sharma G, Will L, Mallik S, Singh J. Hexanoic Acid and Polyethylene Glycol Double Grafted

Amphiphilic Chitosan for Enhanced Gene Delivery: Influence of Hydrophobic and Hyd rophilic Substitution Degree.

Mol. Pharmaceutics 2014; 11 (3): 982–994

Modgil A, Sharma G, O’Rourke S, and Sun C. Angiotensin (1-7) Antagonizes Angiotensin II Action in SHR

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Hypothalamic Neurons via Stimulation of PTEN Expression (Ready for submission)

- Mishra B, Sharma G and Shukla D. Investigation of organoleptic characteristics in the development of soft chews of

calcium carbonate as mineral supplement. Yakugaku Zasshi 2009; 129(12): 1537- 1544

- Tang Y, Oak M, Mandke R, Layek B, Sharma G and Singh J (2011). Thermosensitive Polymers for Controlled Delivery

of Hormones. In Active implants and scaffolds for tissue regeneration, Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering

and Biomaterials (Meital Zilberman (Eds.), 8: 457-479); Springer Berlin Heidelberg

- Mandke R, Layek B, Sharma G and Singh J (2011). Fabrication and Evaluation of Nanoparticle -Based Biosensors. In

Biosensor Nanomaterials (Eds. Songjun Li, He Li and Ipsita A. Banerjee), Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,

Weinheim, Germany. doi: 10.1002/978**********.ch4

Professional Communication (Abstracts submitted & Poster presentation):

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Investigating the Influence of Various Cell Penetratin g Peptides on Cellular

Translocation of Drug/Gene via Receptor Targeted Liposomes, AAPS (Poster presentation), 2013

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Assessment of the transport of dual-modified liposomes across 3-dimensional brain

tumor model, AAPS (Poster presentation), 2013

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Evaluating the influence of various cell penetrating peptides on the mechanism of

uptake and transfection efficiency of transferrin-liposomes, AAPS (Poster presentation), 2013

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Polyarginine tethered receptor-targeted liposomes for gene delivery to brain: In-vitro

and In-vivo evaluation, AAPS 2012; W4030

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Biodistribution and hemolysis assay for brain targeted dual -modified liposomes in

rats, AAPS 2012; W4056

- Gitanjali Sharma and Jagdish Singh, Design of an in-vitro blood brain barrier model to evaluate the transport of dual -

modified liposomes, AAPS 2012; M1041

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Dual modified receptor-targeted liposomes for drug/gene delivery to brain: evaluation

of distribution and transfection potential in -vivo, 44th annual Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Research Meeting

(PGSRM), Poster presentation, 2012

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Synthesis and evaluation of liposomal vector for delivery of gene across blood brain

barrier, 43rd annual Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Research Meeting (PGSRM), Poster presentation, 2011

- Gitanjali Sharma, Jagdish Singh, Formulation and characterization of stearically stabilized nano -liposomes, AAPS

Annual Meeting and Exposition, Scientific Abstracts:12(S2), T3457, 2010

- PS Rajinikanth, Gitanjali Sharma, Brahmeshwar Mishra, Stomach specific anti H. pylori therapy: preparation and

characterization of acetohydroxamic acid loaded gellan beads coated with chitosan, 58th Indian Pharmaceutical

Congress, (Podia Presentation), Pharmaceutical technology, AO21: 8, 2006

*Additional professional communications will be provided upon request

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