Research Associate

V ARSHA D UA

Phn. # 408-***-**** (cell) Email - *********@*****.***

OBJECTIVE

Highly motivated individual seeking a researcher position in a biopharmaceutical company.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Molecular Biology:- RT PCR, cDNA library screening, cloning, DNA fingerprinting, sequencing,cell-based

•

assays, fluorescence microscopy, Comet Assay, plasmid isolation, bacterial transformation, cell culture

Immunology:- ELISA, Immunohistochemistry, cell viability assays, FISH

•

Protein Analysis:- Protein expression systems, isolation, extraction and purification. Analysis of protein by gel

•

electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting

EXPERIENCE

Wings Biotech Pvt. Ltd Himachal Pradesh, India

Quality Control Analyst September 2010 – July 2011

Used HPLC, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Chromatography for raw material testing, in-process analysis and

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finished product release testing

Performed water testing: physical properties and microbiological testing using cell culture techniques

•

Orbit Biotech, Pvt. Ltd. Punjab, India

Research Intern April 2009 – July 2009

• Developed ELISA kits for diagnosis of hormones like testosterone, progesterone, cortisol and corticosterone.

• Performed immuno-assays like RIA, ELISA to test samples for specific antibody activity.

PROJECTS

National Institute of Standards & Technology Gaithersburg, MD

Research project December 2011 – June 2012

• Objective – Analyze the toxic effects of nanoparticles on normal human cells

• Tasks -

• Treated human lung cells with different sizes & concentration of nanoparticles

• Performed Comet assay using gel electrophoresis with nanoparticle treated cells

• Analyzed the data obtained by Fluorescence microscopy using Cometscore software

• Optimized the Comet assay protocol with repeated set of experiments

• Maintained lab records for accurate methods and performed data analysis and troubleshooting

• Presented the results to the team members and mentors and prepared detailed reports on it

• Accomplishment – Established the size & concentration effect of nanoparticles in terms of DNA damage

Georgetown University Washington, D.C

Business Development January 2012 – April 2012

• Objective – Prepare a business plan for a Biotech start-up

• Tasks -

• Conceptualized the idea of a blood testing device and designed its technical model

• Structured the startup : Fixed/Variable cost analysis, growth & revenue forecast

• Formulated the marketing strategies after performing an in-depth analysis of customer base

• Presented all the financial statements and estimated expenses for resource management

• Accomplishment – The idea was well received by VC’s and angels with suggestions for expecting higher

expenses in clinical trial stages

Center for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad, India

Research Project January 2010 – September 2010

• Objective – Study the genetic cause of Glaucoma (partial blindness)

• Tasks -

• Performed gene cloning using PCR, plasmid isolation, restriction digestion, bacterial transformation

• Optimized the protocol for protein purification and analysis using SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting

• Accomplishment – Identified and discovered the gene responsible for Glaucoma and its interactions with other

proteins in the cell

EDUCATION

Georgetown University Washington, DC

M.S in Biotechnology May 2012

Thesis – Genotoxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on normal human lung cells

(Thesis project carried out at NIST, MD)

Lovely Professional University Panjab, India

M.Sc in Biotechnology September 2010

Thesis – Cloning and expression studies of Optineurin gene in E. coli

(Thesis project carried out at CCMB, Hyderabad)

Panjab University Chandigarh, India

B.Sc in Life Sciences June 2008

HONORS & AWARDS

• Best thesis presentation award at Lovely Professional University 2010

• Secured first position in Debate competition at Lovely Professional University Panjab 2009

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Graduate Student Representative of Debate Club

• Lovely professional University 2009-2010

• Secured first position in interstate debate competition

• Organized several seminars and competitions on topics related to Bioethics

• Executive member of Environmental Club, Panjab University 2007-2008

• Contributed to the club by organizing several events for fund raising

• Successfully managed a week long ‘Environmental Fest’ inviting colleges from across the state

• Planned and executed several events for the fest.

REFERENCES

Dr. Donal Atha

Research Chemist

Biochemical Science Division

National Institute of Science & Technology

Gaithersburg, MD - 20899

Phone – 301-***-****

Email – ******.****@****.***

Dr. Sona Vasudevan

Assistant Professor

Georgetown University Medical Center

Washington, D.C – 20057

Phone – 202-***-****

Email – ****@**********.***

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