NIVEDITA SHANKAR
*** * ******** ******, *** ***
New Orleans, LA 70112
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