MUKUL SONKER

+1-801-***-**** ac0azf@r.postjobfree.com 1333 S 1400 E Provo UT 84606

PROFILE SUMMARY

• Interdisciplinary researcher with expertise in the development of microfluidic devices for healthcare diagnostics

• Hands-on experience in microfabrication and Bioanalytical techniques with special focus on device design, fabrication, characterization, analytical testing, data acquisition, and processing

• Authored/co-authored to 10 peer-reviewed publications, and 10+ conference presentations

• Experienced in conducting business analysis and market research for leading pharmaceutical organizations

• Management and leadership skills acquired through various lab management and extra-curricular activities EDUCATION

Ph.D. Bioanalytical Chemistry, Brigham Young University (BYU), Provo, UT, USA Sep 2012 – Aug 2017

• Research Advisor: Prof. Adam T. Woolley

• Topic: Design, fabrication, and development of an integrated microfluidic device for preterm birth (PTB) diagnosis.

• GPA: 3.5/4.0

B.S. Pharmacy, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India Jul 2007 – Aug 2011

• GPA: 3.7/4.0

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Microfabrication techniques: Photolithography, wet etching, soft lithography, hot embossing, thermal bonding, thermal oxidation, plasma etching, microfabrication, and nanofabrication related coursework

• Analytical techniques: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), capillary/microchip electrophoresis (CE/μCE), laser induced fluorescence microscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), profilometry, microchip- based solid-phase extraction, miniaturized monolithic column characterization, UV-polymerization, surface modification, water contact angle goniometry, on-chip sample preparation, laser cutting and engraving

• Software: AutoCAD, Clewin, Skyline, MATLAB, ImageJ, Inkscape, Origin Pro, LabVIEW PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA 2012-Present

• Designed, fabricated and characterized microfluidic devices on silicon, glass, elastomer and thermoplastic substrates

• Fabricated and characterized miniaturized monolithic chromatography columns for on-chip sample preparation

• Developed microchip electrophoresis devices for the separation of 5 PTB biomarkers

• Demonstrated first ever on-chip fluorescent labeling of PTB biomarkers

• Developed integrated microdevices for solid phase extraction and separation reporting 50-fold pre-concentration

• Integrated μCE with immunoaffinity extraction for PTB biomarker analysis on a single device

• Optimized LC-MS based separation for 4 model peptides and 3 PTB biomarkers

• 4+ years of experience in instrument troubleshooting and maintenance

• Provided in-depth microfabrication and device operation training to 5+ graduate and 10+ undergraduate students

• Bruce Furnace tool owner, responsible for training new users and troubleshooting the instrument (BYU clean room) Graduate Teaching Assistant, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA 2012-2014

• Taught 4+ undergraduate level chemistry classes

• Conducted lectures and assisted in weekly homework for General College Chemistry I and II

• Laboratory instructor for general chemistry classes Business Analyst, Value Edge Research Services, New Delhi, India 2011-2012

• Coordinated multiple projects for various leading pharmaceutical firms. Types of projects included:

Pipeline and clinical trial analysis

Competitive intelligence

Secondary market research

Social media monitoring

Market assessment

Company profiling

Industrial Training and Undergraduate research 2009-2011

• Underwent practical training in BSL-II & BSL-III laboratories, Apothecaries Foundation, New Delhi, 2009

• Assisted Dr. Sarita Saraswati in her Ph.D. projects on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (E.A.C.) Model (in vivo) and screening of plant molecules on human breast MCF-7 cancer cell line (in vitro), University of Delhi, 2011 PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCES

Selected Publications (Total = 10, First author = 5)

• Sonker, M. et al. Integrated Electrokinetically Driven Microfluidic Devices with pH-Mediated Solid Phase Extraction Coupled to Microchip Electrophoresis for Preterm Birth Biomarkers, Electrophoresis, 2017

• Sonker, M. et al. Recent Advances in Microfluidic Sample Preparation and Separation Techniques for Biomarker Analysis, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2017 (Submitted)

• Sahore, V.; Sonker, M. et al. Microfluidic Devices Integrating Solid-Phase Extraction, Fluorescent Labeling and Microchip Electrophoresis for Preterm Birth Biomarker Analysis, Analytical Chemistry, 2017 (Submitted)

• Sonker, M. et al. Electrokinetically Operated Integrated Microfluidic Platform for Immunoaffinity Extraction and Electrophoresis of Preterm Birth Biomarkers (Manuscript under preparation)

• Sonker, M. et al. On-Chip Fluorescent Labeling using Reversed-phase Monoliths and Microchip Electrophoretic Separations of Selected Preterm Birth Biomarkers, Analytical Methods, 2016

• Knob, R.; Sonker, M. et al. Advances in Monoliths and Related Porous Materials for Microfluidics, Biomicrofluidics, 2016

• Sahore, V.; Sonker, M. et al. Pressure-Actuated Microfluidic Devices for Electrophoretic Separation of Pre-Term Birth Biomarkers, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2016 Selected Conference Presentations (Total = 10+, First author = 5)

• Electrokinetically Operated Integrated Microfluidic Platform for Immunoaffinity Extraction and Electrophoresis of Preterm Birth Biomarkers, Pittcon, Chicago, IL, 2017 (Oral Presentation)

• Electrokinetically Operated Integrated Microfluidic Platform for Preterm Birth Biomarker Analysis, Pittcon, Atlanta, GA, 2016 (Oral Presentation)

• Development of an Electrokinetically Operated Microfluidic Platform for the Analysis of Preterm Birth Biomarkers, Pittcon, New Orleans, LA, 2015 (Poster Presentation)

• Electrokinetically Operated Integrated Microfluidic Platform for Preterm Birth Biomarker Analysis, International Symposium on Capillary Chromatography (ISCC), Fort Worth, TX, 2015 (Oral Presentation)

• Development of an Integrated Microfluidic Platform for the Analysis of Preterm Birth Biomarkers, SciX, Reno, NV, 2014 (Oral Presentation)

HONORS AND CERTIFICATES

• Outstanding graduating PhD student, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2016-17

• Roland K. Robins graduate research fellowship ($27,000), 2016-17

• Tool Owner, Bruce Furnace, the Integrated Microfabrication Lab, BYU, 2016-2017

• Research presentation award ($400), Graduate Student Society, BYU, 2017

• Spotlighted on BYU homepage and local news for ground breaking research and services, 2017 (Link1) (Link2)

• Department nominated representative, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Grad Expo, BYU, 2016 (Honorable mention)

• 1st prize, research presentation, Student Research Conference, BYU, 2015

• Honorable mention award, Three Minute Thesis (3MT, college level) competition, BYU, 2015

• Graduate student travel awards (a total of $1200), 2013-Present

• Registered pharmacist, Delhi pharmacy council, 2012-Present EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Session Chair, Sensors-Bioanalytical (Session #770), Pittcon, Chicago, IL, 2017

• Judge, Senior division, Central Utah Stem Fair, 2017

• Board Member, International Services, Chemistry Graduate Student Association (CGSA), BYU, 2016-2017

• Member, career advisory panel (for incoming graduate students), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BYU

• Reviewer, Biomicrofluidics Journal, 2017

• Organized Indian cultural events by Indian Student Association (ISA), BYU, 2012

• Delegate, “Redefining Pharmacy Education in India”, Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association, 2008

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