Project Assistant

Nageswari Yarravarapu

PhD Candidate at Duquesne University

*********.*@*****.***

Summary

Accomplished researcher in medicinal chemistry with specialization in chemical probe design, synthesis, &

proteomics for structure function studies of monoamine transporters with a proven track record of scientific

publications and conference presentations. Experience in drug design and synthesis of GABA analogs for the

treatment of epilepsy. Over 6 years of multidisciplinary research experience working with teams consisting of

engineers, chemists, pharmacologists, computational chemists and biochemists. Established track record of

meeting and exceeding established goals related to research management, training, and education.

Experience

Graduate Research Assistant at Duquesne University

August 2008 - Present (5 years 7 months)

Dissertation: Mapping the drug binding sites of Dopamine Transporter (DAT) and Serotonin Transporter

(SERT) using photoaffinity labeling agents.

Project 1: The DAT has been implicated in a number of diseases including Parkinson’s disease, attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychostimulant abuse. The long-term objective of our research is

to understand how abused and therapeutic CNS drugs interact with the DAT.To this end, I designed and

synthesized novel analogs of the ADHD drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) as potential DAT photoaffinity

ligands.

Project 2: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) represent first-line agents for the treatment of

anxiety and depression.In order to understand how SSRIs interact with serotonin transporter (SERT) at the

molecular level, I designed and synthesized photoaffinity labeling agents for SERT based on Citalopram

(Celexa) and Fluoxetine (Prozac).

Project 3 : After synthesis, I put my efforts to optimize photoaffinity labeling, click chemistry, western

blotting and protein digestion protocols for evaluating SSRI binding sites at SERT. I have shown that high

affinity Citalopram probes bind covalently to SERT expressed in cultured cells. Further experiments are in

progress towards mapping the Citalopram binding site within SERT.

Teaching Assistant at Duquesne University

August 2008 - July 2013 (5 years)

• Designed chemistry course material for Preparatory Program for Math and Chemistry Intensive Course

(Pharm. D)

• Instructor in Ability Based Lab Experience (Biochemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology) lab for 3rd year

Pharm. D students

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• Organized and taught labs for Biochemistry

Intern at Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, India

July 2006 - June 2007 (1 year)

Project 1: Application of Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes for water treatment and Enzyme

Concentration

• Collaborated with biochemistry department to setup a bench-scale stirred ultrafiltration cell for

L-Asparaginase enzyme concentration and purification

• Worked with polymer chemists to synthesize poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES)

membranes

• Studied the effect of various operating conditions such as feed pressure and composition on membrane

performance

• Evaluated the performance of pilot scale Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis systems to treat surface and

ground water samples

Project 2: Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polymer Membranes for Dehydration/Extraction of

Solvents Used in Pharmaceutical Industry

• Prepared various Hydrophobic membranes using solution casting and solvent evaporation technique

• Studied separation of aqueous-organic and organic-organic azeotropic mixtures with pervaporation unit

• Analyzed solvent mixtures using Gas Chromatography

Lab Oriented Projects at Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani

August 2005 - May 2006 (10 months)

• Synthesized GABA semicarbazones ( 4-(1-(2- Hydroxy Phenyl Ethylidine Amino )Butanoic acid) for the

treatment of Epilepsy

• Synthesized GABA analogs (4-(5-Oxo-3-Phenyl-1,5-Dihydro-1,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)Butanoic Acid) as

anticonvulsants

Honors and Awards

Prof. B. M. Mithal Memorial Gold Medal

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

2007

Best B.Pharm(Hons.) graduate for academic excellence, projects done and involvement and contributions

made in pharmacy group activities

Pratibha Gold Medal and Scholarship

India’s State Government

2003 - 2007

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Organizations

American Chemical Society

March 2012 to Present

Publications

SNi' Displacements with Main Group Organometallics.

Tetrahedron 2012

Authors: Nageswari Yarravarapu, Ranganadh Velagaleti, Ravi kumar Vyas Devambatla, Fraser Fleming

Evolution of a Compact Photoprobe for the Dopamine Transporter Based on -threo-methylphenidate.

ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2012

Authors: Nageswari Yarravarapu, David J. Lapinsky, Christopher K. Surratt, Tammy Nolan, Michael

Tomlinson, Roxanne A. Vaughan, Howard M. Deutsch

Azido-iodo-N-benzyl derivatives of threo-methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta): Rational design, synthesis,

pharmacological evaluation, and dopamine transporter photoaf#nity labeling.

Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2011

Authors: Nageswari Yarravarapu, Ranganadh Velagaleti, David J. Lapinksy, Christopher K. Surratt, Acharya R,

Howard M. Deutsch, Roxanne A. Vaughan, John R. Lever, Lui Y, Huang Y, Foster J. D.

Discovery of 4-Aminobutyric Acid Derivatives Possessing Anticonvulsant and Antinociceptive Activities:

A Hybrid Pharmacophore Approach.

J. Med. Chem.

Authors: Nageswari Yarravarapu, Ragavendran J. V., Kavya R., Sreevatsan N., Vanitha K., Yogeeswari

Perumal, Sriram D., Stables J.

Languages

English (Full professional proficiency)

Telugu (Native or bilingual proficiency)

Hindi (Professional working proficiency)

Skills & Expertise

HPLC

Chemistry

Organic Synthesis

Drug Design

Western Blotting

Chemical Biology

NMR spectroscopy

IR spectroscopy

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Cell Culture

Medicinal Chemistry

Molecular Modeling

NMR

Protein chemistry

Protein Purification

UV/Vis

LC-MS

Protein Chemistry

Education

Duquesne University

PhD candidate, Medicinal Chemistry, 2008 - 2013

Grade: 3.82/4

Birla Institute of Technology and Science

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons.) and Bachelor of Chemical Engineering(Hons.), Pharmacy & Chemical

Engineering, 2002 - 2007

Grade: 8.94/10

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Nageswari Yarravarapu

PhD Candidate at Duquesne University

*********.*@*****.***

Contact Nageswari on LinkedIn

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