Shamim Khaja (US Citizen)

**** ******* ****** ****, ***********, Illinois 60046.

Tel: 262-***-****

Email: ac4qc8@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY:

Self-motivated, focused and reliable biomedical research scientist. Demonstrated advanced skill sets in performing variety of routine and non-routine highly sophisticated molecular and cell-based assays. Skilled at cell culture, flow cytometry, cell based assays and PCR analysis. Independent at design of experiments, critically analyze data with graphic software and regularly present data and research results in department meetings. Strongly committed in bringing a productive outcome based on my constant desire and urge to succeed.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:

DNA extraction, RNA preparation from cell culture, mouse tissues, human blood samples and nasal swabs.

Primer design, gene cloning, restriction enzyme digestion, SNP typing, PCR, qPCR, and real-time PCR.

Processing blood samples, isolation of PBMCs and plasma.

Bacterial cell cultures, mammalian tissue culture, plaque assays, virus culture and isolation.

In vitro cell based assays, T cell activation, and CFSE- T cell viability/ proliferation assay.

Isolation of mouse cell types using MACS beads, adoptive transfers and bone marrow transplantation.

Multicolor flow cytometry, cell sorting, and IHC.

Multiplex cytokine ELISA, Native-PAGE, SDS-PAGE and western blot.

DNA sequencing, data alignment and assembly using Seqman pro and BioEdit software.

Standardizing protein expression using E.coli strains such as BL21 (DE3) pLysS & BL21 (DE3). His tagged column protein purification, protein concentration.

EMPLOYMENT AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

Research Technologist III (August 2011- November 2016)

Max McGee Juvenile Diabetes Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.

Led laboratory bench assays to study primary immune cells involved in genetic control of type 1 diabetes in NOD mouse model.

Confirmed the phenotypes and performed genomic profiling analysis of various NOD knockout mice generated by ZFN and CRISPR/Cas9 Technologies to compare the variants to wild type strain.

Trained and supported students, research professionals with project planning, execution of experimental protocols and summarizing results.

Ensured quality standards to effectively run the laboratory. Troubleshooting and calibration of lab equipments and maintained training records.

Research Technologist II (September 2008- July 2011)

Midwest Respiratory Virus Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.

Successfully synthesized viral proteins for the development of an antigen detection test for respiratory viruses causing upper and lower respiratory infections, in a CAP and CLIA certified laboratory.

Cloned viral genes and expressed recombinant viral proteins. Purified recombinant viral proteins from polyacrylamide gels. Further used the viral proteins to make monoclonal antibodies.

Sequenced more than 50 RSV (Respiratory Syntitial Virus) strains from samples procured globally.

Accomplished a project to test the variability and reproducibility of 11 FDA-approved rapid Influenza diagnostic tests using 23 recently circulating Influenza viruses.

Standardized and Validated multiplex real time PCR and qPCR assays to test the limit of detection of various respiratory viruses. Employed the protocols to test patient samples

Research Specialist I (2005-2007)

Microbiology and Immunology Department, Emory University, Atlanta GA.

Worked on Yellow fever vaccine clinical trial studying the Human immune responses to yellow fever vaccine (YFV-17D).

Examined the samples for the presence of antibodies against chronic infection such as CMV & EBV and detected neutralizing antibodies against yellow fever virus in the YFV-17D vaccinated individuals.

Research Associate Scientist (2004--2005)

Biomass / Biofertilizer department,

Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, Hyderabad, India.

Studied the fermentation process using Rhodobacter, a photobacterium to increase the efficiency of energy production from complex cellulosic biomass.

Monitored the growth parameters of Rhodobacter, successfully improved the culture conditions in small scale by altering the amount of substrate and studying the metabolic pathway.

EDUCATION:

Master of Science (Microbiology), with Distinction, Osmania University, India, 2004.

Bachelors of Science (Microbiology, Chemistry), Osmania University, India, 2002.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GraphPad and SoftMax Pro.

Proficient in using programs related to molecular biology i.e. BLAST, NCBI search engine.

Analyzing sequencing data using Seqman Pro and HLA SBT uType.

Proficient in using Flowjo for flow cytometry data analysis.

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES:

Lab Safety Coordinator – organized yearly lab assessments and training with EHS.

Mentored- 1 graduate, 2 medical students.

PUBLICATIONS:

1.Whole genome sequencing and evolutionary analysis of human respiratory syncytial virus A and B from Milwaukee, WI 1998-2010.

Rebuffo-Scheer C, Bose M, He J, Khaja S, Ulatowski M, Beck ET, Fan J, Kumar S, Nelson MI, Henrickson KJ.

PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e25468. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025468. Epub 2011 Oct 6.

2.Genetic control of murine invariant natural killer T cells maps to multiple type 1 diabetes regions.

Tsaih SW, Khaja S, Ciecko AE, MacKinney E, Chen YG.

Genes Immun. 2013 Sep; 14(6):380-6. doi: 10.1038/gene.2013.32. Epub 2013 May 30.

3.Gene targeting in NOD mouse embryos using zinc-finger nucleases.

Chen YG, Forsberg MH, Khaja S, Ciecko AE, Hessner MJ, Geurts AM.

Diabetes. 2014 Jan; 63(1):68-74. doi: 10.2337/db13-0192. Epub 2013 Aug 23.

4.A locus on mouse chromosome 13 inversely regulates CD1d expression and the development of invariant natural killer T-cells.

Tsaih SW, Presa M, Khaja S, Ciecko AE, Serreze DV, Chen YG.

Genes Immun. 2015 Apr-May; 16(3):221-30. doi: 10.1038/gene.2014.81. Epub 2015 Feb 5.

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