NIVEDITA SHANKAR

*** * ******** ******, *** ***

New Orleans, LA 70112

504-***-****

acerto@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION: Masters of Science in Public Health, May 2014

Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans,

LA

Major: Tropical Medicine and Parasitology

• 3.699/4.0 Cumulative GPA

Bachelor of Science May 2012

University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Major: Biological Sciences

• 2.9/4.0 Cumulative GPA

EXPERIENCE:

Manuscript Editing

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Summer 2014

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

I am part of a collaboration between Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and

Control, Beijing and Tulane University. I am doing some probono work that

involves analyzing some of the Influenza A epidemiological data. I assist with

preparing scientific manuscripts for publication.

Laboratory Research Experience

Research Aide

Department of Tropical Medicine Summer 2013

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Managed a project that applied concepts of molecular biology like gene cloning

and other DNA manipulation techniques. Introduced bacterial cytolysin

expressing genes into the Plasmodium genome. The final transfected parasite

will be controlled using Plasmodium genome promoters and can be evaluated as

a potential vaccine. Handled mice, made blood smears and analyzed

parasitemia. I continued to volunteer in this lab to complete the assigned project

until April 2014.

Research Assistant

Pharmacology Department January 2012-December 2012

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

Participated in projects that were funded by the Vermont Cancer Center.

Responsible for gene cloning and other molecular biology techniques. Applied

research techniques the designing of plasmids, transfection, mutagenesis etc.

Specifically worked with inhibiting PKA signaling which is believed to be

involved in ovarian cancer invasion and migration. Assigned administrative

duties like placing and managing laboratory orders and maintaining lab

equipment.

Research Assistant

Neuroscience Lab, September 2011-December 2011

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

I volunteered in the Neuroblastoma research project. I had the opportunity to

learn techniques like Western blots, real time PCR, live staining, cell culture and

cell culture passaging. This particular lab concentrated on neuroblastoma and its

signaling mechanisms. My main responsibility was to passage the viable cell

line and administer different growth mediums to them and observe how the cells

responded.

Lab Assistant

Lung Mechanics, February 2009-February 2010

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

This lab primarily concentrated on lung mechanics and how allergens that cause

asthma can alter breathing. My role in this lab was to work with 2 strains of

mice. I had to firstly feed and monitor the health of the mice. I also had to

administer the allergen to them and let them breathe the air that was infused with

the allergen. After this step I had to transport them to the lab and observe how

their lung function was altered and how they reacted to different optical

configurations of the drug used to counter the allergen. After which a biopsy was

done and the lung and the pulmonary lavage were analyzed.

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Administrative Aide

Office of Environmental Health and Safety, September2013-June2014

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Interact with people over the phone and greet guests at the reception desk and

direct them to the appropriate resource. Pick up and drop off mail, take messages

and manage the office voicemail. Manage office equipment (printers, faxes etc).

Some experience in maintaining the student staff schedule. Worked with

sensitive information like worker’s compensation. Participate in other

administrative duties like phone and visitor reception, updating and maintaining

databases and spreadsheets. Taking inventory, QC, data entry and database

building

Educational Assistant/Tutor

Academic Services for Student Athletes, March2013- May 2013

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Tutored undergraduate student athletes. Tutored Calculus I and II. Worked with

them on their study skills and their approach to test taking.

Senior Resident Advisor

Residential Life, August 2011-December2011

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

Undergraduate peer advisor and educator who worked with the resident assistant

staff to coordinate a variety of administrative duties, assisted with programming

and staff training and development. Gained some experience in the area of event

planning, crisis management and restorative practice.

Resident Advisor

Residential Life, September 2010-May 2011

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

A peer advisor and resource to students who are part of residential life on

campus. Helped residents build a community and find a support system in

school. Gained some experience in the area of event planning, crisis

management and restorative practice.

Orientation Leader

Student Life, June 2010-July 2010

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

A student leader responsible for incoming first year students. Helped them to get

familiarized with campus resources, guided them with class registration,

introduced them to important college professionals, helped incoming students

make community connections and gave tours of the main places on campus

Front Desk&Reserve Desk Librarian

Bailey Howe Library, August2009-May2012

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

Interacted with students, teachers and other patrons who wanted to borrow

books. Helped with troubleshooting computer problems, technical problems

with the copiers and printers. Assisted students, faculty and guests who were

having difficulty finding research articles, journals and books. Also assisted

people with disabilities and their queries with finding and using libraries

resources. Answered the phone, addressed and collected mail.

SKILLS AND Language: Trilingual Hindi and English (reading, speaking and writing); Tamil

(speaking)

ACTIVITIES: Computer: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel; SPSS; Database building,

Database entry

Volunteering: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Singapore

Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore

Man Fut Tong Nursing Home for the Elderly, Singapore

Asha for Education, Burlington Chapter

Singapore General Hospital- A&E (Accidents and Emergencies), Singapore

Friends of Indian Music and Dance, Burlington Vermont

Wave of Green Service Day- Workforce Management Organization, Tulane

University

United States Conference on AIDS- The National Minority AIDS Council, New

Orleans, Louisiana

Relevant coursework:

Biostatistics

Clinical Microbiology

Epidemiological Methods I

Immunology

Introduction to Health Systems, Management and Policy

Medical Entomology with Lab

Medical Helminthology with Lab

Medical Parasitology Lab

Medical Protozoology with Lab

Medical Protozoology Lab

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Microbial Diseases of the Tropics

Molecular Biology Methods for Public Health

Social & Behavioral Aspects of Global Health

SPSS

Tropical Virology

Other certifications:

Completed Phlebotomy Course with a practicum

Laboratory skills:

Agarose and Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Immunoprecipitation and Co-immuniprecipitation

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Bright Field Microscopy

Aseptic Technique

Autoclave

Blood smear preparation and staining

Centrifugation

Nanodrop

Bacterial Transformation

Plasmid DNA Isolation and Purification

Mini, Midi and Maxi Prep

Vector NTI

Mosquito Taxonomic Techniques and Identification (and other Arthropods)

Qualification Highlights

BSc in Biological Sciences and Masters of Science in Public Health with a focus on Tropical Medicine

and Parasitology, with 3 years of academic laboratory experience

Experience working in a low-income countries

Leadership experience as a Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader

Highly motivated and detail oriented; able to work independently or cooperatively as part of a team to

accomplish set goals

Resourceful and flexible in high pressure situations

Detail-oriented with organizational skills

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Comfortable working within diverse teams with people of varied professional, cultural, and

educational backgrounds

Familiarity with global health issues

Working scientific and public health knowledge of tropical diseases and parasites

Knowledge of infectious diseases and routes of transmission

Experience working in public health research, particularly with a focus on malaria.

Familiar with basic epidemiological methods

Experience with blood smear preparation and staining

Experience with bright field microscopy for helminths, protozoa and other parasites

Some familiarity with study design, data collection, and analysis

Familiar with database building, data entry and data analysis

Web-based research for searching scientific literature and sequence databases (e.g. PubMed and NCBI

nucleotide or protein databases)

Proficient with software like Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; SPSS

Experience with EndNote

Rapid skills acquisition

Effective communicator with an ability to resolve issues quickly

Intellectually equipped to thrive in a fast paced, multicultural and challenging environment

Contact this candidate