NASIM ESKANDARI
Toronto, ON, Canada Phone Number: 647-***-**** Email: *******@*****.***
Professional Profile Summary
Results-driven and self-motivated professional with over 6 years of progressive experience in biomedical research, protocol development and manuscript writing
Areas of expertise: cellular and molecular biology, biopreservation (monolayer and cell suspension cryopreservation), and cancer biology, microbiology
Understanding of current good manufacturing practice (cGMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and Health Canada Food and Drug Act, and Natural Health Product
Understanding of laboratory safety practices and WHMIS
Technical Skills
Microbiology: Sterility test, disinfectant efficacy, antibiotic-microbial assays, microbial limits test (MLT), and growth promotion test for raw material, in process & finished products
Cell biology: Cell culture and sub culturing of human primary cell and cell line, Cell counting, cell suspension and monolayer cryopreservation, plasmid transfection to mammalian cells by lipofectamine and electroporation, Phase contrast microscopy, fluorescent microscopy
Molecular biology: DNA and RNA extraction/ purification/ quantification / PCR,RT-PCR, plasmid extraction, gel electrophoresis
Assays: Cell membrane integrity assay, angiogenesis assay, Immunocytochemistry (ICC), MTT assay, wound healing Assay (scratch test), cAMP Assay
Other Relevant Skills
Multi-tasks, self-motivated, work well independently and in a team
Proven organizational and time management skills, as demonstrated through previous working experience
Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presenter) both in one-on-one and in a group setting
Proficient in use of Microsoft office (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, PubMed database, and SPSS statistical software
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Jan. 2015- Aug. 2017
Research Assistant
Project: Cryopreservation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in monolayer
Developed a protocol for cryopreservation of HUVECs in monolayers with high post-thaw absolute viability >95%
Investigated the effect of cooling rate, cryoprotectant concentration and composition on cryopreservation of HUVECs in monolayers
Identified microorganisms using a variety of methods in culture medium such as sterility testing (membrane filtration, direct inoculation)
Practiced aseptic cell culture techniques (cell culture with no antibiotic)
Conducted literature review, data collection and interpretation, reported results to supervisor
Calibrated laboratory instruments in lab level such as pH meter, analytical balance, weighing balance and micropipette for accurate result
Performed weekly laboratory maintenance, safety inspection reports, ordered reagents, updated and archived Safety Work Procedures (SWPs), MSDS and protocols
Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, Iran Jan. 2013-June. 2014
Microbiologist
Prepared bacterial growth media (Broth and Agar), bacterial cell transformation with plasmid constructs
Perform Microbiological, chemical testing aseptically for ingredients, raw and processed products
Conducted antibiotic resistance test to select the transformed bacteria with plasmids
Performed media preparation, identification of microorganisms using a variety of methods in culture medium such as sterility testing (membrane filtration, direct inoculation)
Experienced cell culture, DNA, RNA extraction/quantification, RT-PCR (cDNA synthesis), cell transfection by lipofectamine, apoptosis assay
Evaluated, interpreted, and reported test results on a timely manner
Assisted in teaching and organizing practical session in the third school of International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
Kalle (food manufacturing company), Tehran, Iran Dec. 2011-Dec. 2012
Laboratory Analyst/quality assurance
Pickup, log in and distribute test samples
Prepared reagents, standards, controls and sample for analysis
Preparatory testing for Total Microbial Plate Count, Total Yeast and Mold Plate Count;
Preparatory testing and Screening for E. coli, Salmonella species by Direct Inoculation and plate method;
Preparatory tests and Screening for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Direct Inoculation and Plate Method
Developed standard operating procedures (SOP) for analytical methods used in the laboratory
Practiced GMP and GLP
Perform Microbiological, chemical testing aseptically for ingredients, raw and processed products
University of Sheffield, UK Sep. 2009 – Dec. 2010
Graduate Student
Project: Studying overexpression of Adrenomedullin and its specific receptors on prostate cancer cell invasiveness
Performed bioassays (wound healing and MTT assays) to study the effect of overexpression of Adrenomedullin (ADM) and it specific receptors (ADM-2 and ADM-3) on migration and proliferation of PC-3 cells
Tested cell culture and sub culturing of PC-3 cell line, bacterial culture, plasmid isolation (midi-prep), DNA and RNA extraction/ quantification (nanodrop), bacterial transformation, RT-PCR (cDNA synthesis), gel electrophoresis, and cell electroporation
EDUCATION
Master of Science (MSc), Biopreservation 2015-2017
University of Alberta, AB, Canada (GPA: 3.8/4)
Master of Science (MSc), Molecular Medicine 2009-2010
University of Sheffield, UK, Merit
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Cellular and Molecular Biology 2001-2005
University of Shiraz, Iran, First class degree
References Are Available Upon Request