Assistant Medical

VARUN KAPOOR

** ************ *****, **** **, Shrewsbury, MA-01545

Phone: +1-774-***-****

E-Mail: *****.******@********.***

SUMMARY

I am a research Immunologist with cross-disciplinary expertise in microbiology,

biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. I am highly motivated with a unique ability to

collaborate with diverse team members and solve challenging problem.

EDUCATION

PhD Immunology, 6TH year (Expected Dec, 2013) GPA: 3.94

University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Master of Science in Biology/Biotechnology (2007) GPA: 4.0

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Master of Science in Biotechnology (2004) 1st division (72.4%)

PES IT, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India

Bachelors of Science (Hons) in Microbiology (2002) 1st division (67.7%)

Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi University, Delhi, India

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PhD Thesis Research: Under the supervision of Dr. Raymond M. Welsh, Department Of

7/07–Current

Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.

My focus has been to elucidate the mechanism by which CD8+T cells are protected from

apoptosis in non-lymphoid tissues during the contraction of an immune response to viral

infections. I'm also investigating the mechanism by which CD8+T cells differentiate during an

immune response to form memory populations which protects us against secondary infections.

These studies will improve our understanding of memory CD8+T differentiation and thus help

us to improve vaccine efficacy.

MS Thesis Research: Under the supervision of Dr. David S Adams, Biology Lab, Worcester

1/06-6/07

Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA.

Investigated mechanism of action of ependymins which can reverse Alzheimer induced neuronal

degeneration in cultured human SHSY cells. Lab work included animal cell culturing, PCR, RT-

PCR, Western blots. I was successful in showing that ependymins mediate their therapeutic

effect by decreasing cellular levels of Caspase 2 and 3 and by increasing levels of super oxide

dismutase.

Directed Research: Biology Lab, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA. 8/05-1/06

Performed studies to identify DNA mutation responsible for srf-6 phenotype in C.elegans.

Regular lab work involved plasmid isolation, cloning and selection, PCR, gel electrophoresis.

Research Assistant: Immunopathology Lab, Institute Of Pathology, Indian Council Of Medical

1/05-8/05

Research, New Delhi, India.

Worked on detection of steroid receptors in human ejaculated spermatozoa by

immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The data gathered suggested a

correlation between absence of steroid receptor and male infertility.

Research Assistant: National Institute Of Immunology, New Delhi, India. 10/04-1/05

Isolated and purified recombinant Growth hormone from inclusion bodies of E.coli. Lab work

included culturing E.coli, protein refolding, running SDS PAGE and FPLC. Work regarding

upscaling of rGrowth Hormone is still ongoing in the lab.

ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Efficacy of IGFBP7 for treatment of metastatic melanoma and other cancers in mouse models

and human cell lines. Wajapeyee N, Kapoor V, Mahalingam M, Green MR. Molecular Cancer

Therapeutics, 2009 Nov 8(11):3009-14.

Epigenetic modifications induced by Blimp-1 regulate CD8+T cell memory formation during

acute virus infection. Shin H*, Kapoor VN*, Guan T, Kaech SM, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. (*Co-

First Author) Immunity 39, 1–15, October 17, 2013

Regulation of tissue dependent differences in CD8+T cell apoptosis during acute viral infection.

Kapoor VN, Kang J, Welsh RM. (Manuscript under preparation).

ROG/zbtb32 negatively regulates CD8+T cell responses during acute and chronic LCMV

infections. Kapoor VN*, Shin H*, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. (*Co-First Author) (Manuscript under

preparation)

AWARDS/HONORS

Deans Award for Academic Excellence in the Core Curriculum, University Of

Massachusetts Medical School (2009).

3rd prize, Inter College Biotech Quiz Competition, Bangalore University (2004).

Certificate of Merit, highest marks, Immunology, Delhi University (2002).

Certificate of Merit, highest marks, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Delhi University (2001).

SKILLS

Lab Techniques: Flow cytometry, in vivo animal model handling, handling virus stocks and titrating

viruses by plaque assay, ELISA, mammalian cell culturing, Microarrays, Apoptosis Assays,

Immunological techniques, Animal cell culturing, DNA /RNA extraction and purification, Southern

blot, Western blot, Northern blot, Agarose gel electrophoresis, PAGE, RT-PCR, PCR, Protein

purification, Chromatographic techniques, Cloning, Plasmid DNA isolation, Immunohistochemistry,

Lymphocyte separation, Blood group testing.

Computer Skills: FlowJo (Flow Cytometric Analysis), Graphpad PRISM, Clustal X, Chromas lite,

Microsoft office.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Teaching Assistant (WPI) 08/05-06/07: Responsibilities included taking help sessions for students,

organizing labs and assisting professors with grading for the following courses: Anatomy and

Physiology, Protein Purification, Circulatory and respiratory physiology, Nerve and muscle

physiology and Bioinformatics.

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