Bioinformatics Graduate Student

NIKUNJ GALA Email: *************@*****.***

https://in.linkedin.com/in/nikunj-gala Mobile: +1-619-***-**** Address: 6560 Montezuma Road Apt #109, San Diego, CA 92115 Education

San Diego State University San Diego, CA

Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics August 2016 - Aug 2019 University of Mumbai Mumbai, India

Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering Jul. 2008 - May 2012 Skills

Programming Languages: Python, R, Linux, C++, SQL, Biopython. Other Skills: Sequence alignment tools such as Blast, Bioinformatics databases, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Analysis, Amazon Web Services (AWS)(EC2), Microsoft Office, Statistical Analysis, RDBMS, Machine Learning, Computational Genomics.

Soft Skills: Good Analytical Skills, Good written and verbal communication skills, Analytical thinker and critical problem solver, Customer Service, Teamwork, Curious, Open to learning new skills, Ability to learn quickly, Ability to multi task, detail oriented

Courses

Academic Courses: Bioinformatics Tools, Computational Genomics, Data Analysis using R, Genetics & Evolution, Biostatistics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Instrumentation, Medical Imaging, Online Courses: Technical University of Denmark (DTU): Metagenomics, Whole Genome Sequencing; The State University of New York: Big Data - Genes & Medicine; John Hopkins University: Introduction to Genomic Technologies, John Hopkins University: Algorithms for DNA Sequencing, John Hopkins University Genomic Data Science with Galaxy

Experience

Luque Lab (Viral Information Institute (VII)), SDSU San Diego, CA Research Assistant May 2018 - Present

Working on analysis of Major Capsid Proteins (MCP) associated to tailed phages. Analysis of MCP sequence similarity, MCP structures similarity, and host taxonomy analysis to determine if the MCPs are capturing similar trends observed in the analysis of the full viromes or other environmental factors. This aims to provide evidence to the hypothesis about MCPs as proxies for environmental analysis. Also, develop tool using ANN to identify the MCP from metagenomic sample in the environment. Biomedical Wearable Devices Research Lab, SDSU San Diego, CA Research Assistant Sep. 2017 - Dec. 2017

Worked on existing EEG controlled robotic arm to understand the reason causing nonfunctionality by studying hardware and software. The hardware(motor) was found to be nonfunctional part. Arjohuntleigh Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd Mumbai, India Biomedical Engineer Aug. 2014 - Jul. 2016

Provide sales after support to customers (Technical & Application) for medical equipment (troubleshooting). Track stock/inventory reports for spares for India (14 branches) and maintain inventory by raising orders. Maintain complaint records for breakdowns.

Perform cause analysis of product quality issues for existing products and spares and report them to quality engineering for further analysis.

Test the changes by following SOP.

Submit overall monthly report to management for all regions in India by coordinating with respective regional engineers.

Maintain TrackWise records and warranty complaint records for the complaints. Achieved INR 3 million worth annual contracts from new customers. Healthcare Infrastructure Mumbai, India

Business Development Executive Sep. 2013 - Jul. 2014 Meet healthcare clients and understand their HR requirements. Search suitable candidates and help them find satisfying jobs. Manage in-house team and help meet customer requirements Achieved business target of INR 2.5 million.

Robonik India Pvt. Ltd Mumbai, India

Biomedical Engineer Aug. 2012 - Aug. 2013

Provide sales after support to customers (Technical and Application) for Biochemistry Analyzers, Elisa Readers & Washers, Clot time analyzer. Maintain complaint records for breakdowns and analyze them. Manual testing of software and troubleshoot hardware and software. Perform necessary calibrations time to time.

Prepare controls and reagents and perform quality checks by following SOP for biochemistry analyzers (analytical equipments) and document results. Attend conferences, roadshows, give demonstrations Projects

Biopython: Translate fasta reads into protein sequences, makes table of amino acids with frequencies. Searches for Motifs in fasta le and gives output in excel le with frequency Data Analysis using R: Data Analysis of bacterial data. Create histograms, boxplots, qqline, qqplots, correlation

Methods in Bioinformatics & Medical Informatics (Machine learning in R): Apply two machine learning techniques to predict the effect of hydroxyurea treatment on Sickle cell Anemia disease and understand the methods, compare the results. Presentations

Evolution and Importance of DNA Methylation: DNA methylation is common across the tree of life and is significant in regulation of genome. It is found that there exist no significant association between sociality and DNA methylation. Though it plays more important function in the genetic expression. It should be studied more extensively to understand the actual role played by DNA methylation in the function and evolution of organisms by using functional analysis. It is thought to have been a cause in few cancers as alteration cause tumor. Understanding this will open new doors to finding ways to cure diseases in humans Leadership Activities

Managed finances and successfully completed year while being Treasurer at Sanskriti, Association of Indian Students at San Diego State University May 2017 - May 2018 Managed WBC, the state level inter-college tech-fest by the IEEE EMBS WATTS and Dept. of Biomedical Engineering in college.

Community Services

Managed Blood Donation Drive in the college for four consecutive years. Organized blood donation drive in the community for 3 years.

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