ALKA KOLHE

Phone: 347-***-**** Email: ac2glb@r.postjobfree.com

Education

Master of Science in Biotechnology, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY GPA: 4.00

Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology, Pt. J. N. M. Medical College, Raipur, India, 2008 Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University GPA: 3.93

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Fergusson College, Pune, 2006 University of Pune GPA: 4.00

Skills

Molecular techniques and laboratory equipment for DNA/ RNA extraction from animal cells, PCR, electrophoresis.

DNA sequencing & sequence analysis

Cell culturing techniques (cell extraction, maintaining cultures, cell counting, passaging, differentiation.)

FACS

Microbial culturing techniques, medium preparation, antibiotic sensitivity assay

Histological techniques (animal dissection, paraffin embedded sample preparation for microtomy)

Basic Computer Skills (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel) Work Experience

Research Assistant at Department of Medicine,

Columbia University Medical Center, New York, Jan. 2013- Oct. 2013. Primary responsibilities include DNA/ RNA extraction, genotyping, animal cell culture, histology.

Teaching assistant at the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, Sept. 2012- Dec. 2012. Primary responsibilities included chemical preparations, supervising undergraduate practical, grading assignments, exam preparation & proctoring.

Intern at Department of Infectious Diseases,

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCMB, Hyderabad, India May 2007- Dec 2007 Primary responsibilities included DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing

& sequence analysis

Projects

Gremlin 1 study in mouse bone marrow- mesenchymal stem cells Columbia University Medical Center, New York

Extraction of bone marrow stem cells from mouse followed by cell culture and look for SC differentiation abilities.

Techniques: DNA/ RNA extraction, qPCR, electrophoresis, cell culture, cell counting, maintaining Cell cultures, preparation of cell culture media and cell differentiation experiments.

Novel Drug for knee Osteoarthritis: Discovery & Development (Hypothetical) Prepared as an assignment for Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industry at NYU Tandon School Involved market analysis, evaluations of medical need, target selection, lead designing & optimization, animal study, human clinical trials, patents.

Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease

Pt. J. N. M. Medical College, Raipur, India, May 2009 – Nov. 2009 Performed solubility test using mother’s blood collected by finger prick technique. If positive, newborns blood sample was collected through heel prick techniques on a piece of blotting paper for confirmatory test.

RANTES chemokine promoter polymorphisms and the risk of HIV/AIDS in India Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCMB, Hyderabad, May 2007 – Dec. 2007. Study involved screening of two SNPs, designated -403G/A and -28C/G in RANTES promoter gene of 18 different populations of India. These polymorphisms are associated with RANTES promoter activity and CD4+ lymphocyte depletion rate thereby have effect on HIV disease progression.

Techniques: RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing and sequence analysis.

Isolation of micro-organisms & checking their sensitivity towards antibiotics Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals Cooperation Ltd, Pune, May 2004- June 2004 Culturing samples obtained from horse hoof suffering from infections and perform antibiotic sensitivity assay to look for possible strains and treatment options. Techniques: Media preparation, Microbial cell culture, Cleaning and sterilizing Lab ware, antibiotic sensitivity assay.

Academic Honors

Received American Gastroenterological Association Student Research Fellowship Award.

Received merit based scholarship annually at NYU-Poly.

Received gold medal for securing first position in M.S Biotechnology (India) Publication

Worthley, D.L., Churchill, M., Compton, J.T., Tailor, Y., Rao, M., Si, Y., Levin, D., Schwartz, M.G., Uygur, A., Hayakawa, Y., Gross, S., Renz, B.W., Setlik, W., Martinez, A.N., Chen, X., Nizami, S., Lee, H.N., Kang, H.P., Caldwell, J.M., Asfaha, S., Westphalen, B.C., Graham, T., Jin, G., Nagar, K., Wang, H., Kheirbek, M.A., Kolhe, A., Carpenter, J., Glaire, M., Nair, A., Renders, S., Manieri, N., Muthupalani, S., Fox, J.G., Reichert, M., Giraud, A.S., Schwabe, R.F., Pradere, J., Walton, K., Prakash, A., Gumucio, D., Rustgi, A.K., Stappenbeck, T.S., Friedman, R.A., Gershon, M.D., Sims, P., Grikscheit, T., Lee, F.Y.., Karsenty, G., Mukherjee, S. and Wang, T.C. 2015.Gremlin 1 Identifies a skeletal stem cell with bone, cartilage and reticular stromal potential. Cell 160(0): 269- 284. Doi:10.1016/j.cell.2014.11.042

Book Chapter

Pal, R.K., Kolhe, A., Mishra, N. and Saxena, S.K. 2007. Laboratory diagnosis of human viral infections: current and future perspectives in clinical diagnosis and public health. Jigyasa 9

(Hindi)

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