CHIDOZIE CHUKU

*** ******* ******, ***** **, ****8 C: 856-***-****

Email: ac0vmm@r.postjobfree.com; ac0vmm@r.postjobfree.com:ac0vmm@r.postjobfree.com

Background

Nationality: Nigerian

Place of Birth: Calabar, Nigeria

Date of Birth: 03/24/1984

Professional Summary

I obtained a combined BSC degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology, at the University of South Africa (October 2013). I recently graduated with a master of science in molecular pathology and immunology, at Rowan Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Stratford, New Jersey, having previously completed two laboratory rotations (7 weeks each) at the medical diagnostic laboratories Hamilton, NJ, in addition to a number of course work over four (4) previous semesters.

The research component of my program entailed the following techniques: cell culturing and splitting; characterization of cells; conducting concentration dependent curve (dose response) assays using molecules like as trichostatin A (for HDAC inhibition); cell transfection using siRNA (shRNA); Luciferase assays (Nano-Glo Luciferase assay); flow cytometry; cell treatment using small compounds; protein isolation and purification,, Western Blotting; analyzing and reporting data.

The Masters of Science program is a thesis-based accelerated program that includes completing core courses and writing, critiquing and analyzing scientific journals. My thesis research was focused on Endometrial Cancers, and I defended my thesis on the hypothesis: Characterization of Endometrial Cancer Metastatic Behavior in Response to Potential ZEB1 Inhibition. I initially prepared and defended a thesis proposal in August 2015, and also wrote a grant application style- RO1 paperon “The Role of RAF1 and FAS promoter polymorphisms in Sarcoidosis”, in the fall 2015 semester.

Certificates

Bachelors of Science degree in Life Sciences: Biochemistry and Microbiology Stream, University of South Africa.

Certificate in Liquid Handling, Lasec Laboratory Solutions Provider, South Africa.

Master of Science in Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Rowan University School of Biomedical Sciences

WorkExperience

Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (MDL), Hamilton NJ.

Part-Time Clinical Laboratory

02/24/2015 – 07/29/2016; full time 08/01/2016 – till date.

Receive specimens (through courier, FedEx, UPS, or DHL)

Count, sorted and accessioned (patient data entry) specimen and documents. Samples include: Oneswabs, Uroswabs, urine Nansal swabs, loose stools, mouth wash, CBF, Fluids, serum and blood, semen, tick, thin preps and biopsies

Perform specimen resolution requests and correct discrepancies in specimen and document information

Updating, reviewing and archiving resolved and finished patient files

Asssist in specimen sorting and extraction (mostly automated). Specimen extraction and diagnosis mostly involvnucleic acid extraction, isolation and analysis and PCR

Assist in training new staff

Involved in regular lab evaluation, training and safety drills (OSHA)

Research Associate, Venenum Biodesign, Hamilton NJ.

09/2014 – 12/2016.

“Characterization of Endometrial Cancer Metastatic Behavior in Response to Potential ZEB1 Inhibition”.

Endometrial cell lines were selectively fused with regions of a E-cadherin reporter gene, luciferase and Hygromycin B, and were subsequently grown for clonal selection

Cells were cultured and maintained to confluence for assays to be performed

Two (2) experimental aims were utilized in testing the hypothesis. The first involved characterizing experimental endometrial cancer cell line clones stably transfected with an E-cadherin promoter reporter plasmid for responsiveness to ZEB1 manipulation, while the second aim assessed the utilization of the clonal cell lines (obtained from Aim 1) to illustrate the ability of potential novel ZEB1 pathway inhibitors to elevate E-cadherin reporter activity in endometrial cancers.

Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the degree of siRNA uptake using a siRNA labeled with the fluorophore (siGLO) FAM

The NanoLuc luciferase assay system provides a simple, single- addition reagent that generates a glow-type signal in the presence of NanoLuc luciferase and substrate

Dose response curves/ GraphPad Prism was used to show that the Venenum compounds can be used in 384-well plate format to restore E-cadherin reporter expression in endometrial reporter cell lines

Western blotting was used for the specific detection of ZEB1 in a semi-quantitative manner

Nucleic acid isolation and separation of cell lysates were performed for downstream applications that involved gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting and RT-qPCR

Reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction wasusedfor the conversion and amplification of a single stranded RNA target into a single stranded DNA product (complementary DNA) from a pool of cellular transcripts to verify the effect of the novel compounds on the endogenous CDH1 gene expression levels in the endometrial cancer clonal cell lines

Skill Highlights

Microbiology

Microbial separation and isolation involving methods such as serial dilution and pour plates, plate streaking, microbobial culture, incubation and growth, light and electron microscopy and microbial counting, staining and identification (Gram staining, Acid fast), ELISA, SDS-PAGE, determination of antimicrobial growth, control and susceptibility,laboratory (scientific) book writing.

Biochemistry and molecular biology

Cell culturing and counting, light microscopy, nucleic Acid Isolation,separation and protein isolation and separation, SDS-PAGE, luciferase assays (NanoGloLuciferase), flow cytometry, RT-QPCR, dose response curves/ GraphPad Prism, scientific writing and critiquing, maintaining good laboratory practices, Western blotting, Southern blotting, lab equipment calibration and maintenance, quality control procedures, test results interpretation and analysis.

Other

Proficient in Microsoft office, volumetric and quantitative chemical analysis, crystallization and recrystallization of compounds, fundamental chemical separation techniques.

Education and Training

Bachelors of Science: Biological Sciences 2013

University of South Africa Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Coursework in:

Enzymology, Metabolism, Bioenergetics, Molecular Genetics, Immunology and Epidermology, Microbial Ecology, Microbial Physiology, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Phylogeneticity, Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry.

Community Service

I have volunteered in some hospices, rehabilitation homes, youth development facilities, street soup kitchens, shelter reliefs, in visiting old-age homes, in South Africa

I was active in serving these facilities from February 2006 till July 2014, during my service in church’s evangelism ministry.

I learned how to interact and communicate with various categories and groups of people, managed situations and resources, counsel people living with HIV and other sicknesses. I also learned how to listen patiently.

Professional Experiences

Research Associate, Venenum Biodesign

Hobbies

Reading and learning

Music (and playing the piano and bass guitar)

Soccer

References

Dr. Jim Beasley (Director of Biology, Venenum); 609-***-**** ex 2560

Dr. Ilana Stroke (Senior Team Leader Discovery Biology, Venenum); 609-***-****

Dr. Rachael Siegel (Team Leader Discovery Biology, Venenum); 609-***-**** ex 1455/1651

Pete Winchester (Director Clinical Laboratory, MDL); 609-***-****

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