Sreevidhya Tarakkad Krishnaji, Ph.D.

! *** Melanie court, Chapel Hill, NC 27541 ! 617-***-**** ! aceca3@r.postjobfree.com

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry, Tufts University August 2012

Dissertation Title: Sequence–structure–property relationships of recombinant spider silk block copolymers

Master of Science, Organic Chemistry, University of Madras May 2007

Thesis Title: Synthesis of biologically active compounds by Diels–Alder reactions

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Madras May 2005

Research Experiences

Postdoctoral Researcher, Utah State University Mentor: Prof. Randolph V. Lewis October 2012 – Present

! Directly responsible for cloning tunable chimeric spider silks inspired by flagelliform and major ampullate 2 spidroin

proteins from the golden orb weaving spider Nephila Clavipes using recombinant DNA technology

! Analyzed protein expression of spider silks with large scale fermenters using E. coli as the host organism and

purified by affinity chromatography

! Tailored mechanical properties of silks for applications in biomedical engineering and textile industry

Doctoral candidate, Tufts University Mentor: Prof. David L. Kaplan August 2007 – May 2012

! Cloned synthetic spider silk block copolymers inspired by major ampullate 1 spidroin proteins from N. Clavipes to

provide fundamental insights between peptide primary sequence, block composition and block length

! Characterized and investigated silks for morphological and structural properties to understand structure-property

relationships within bioengineered spider silks

! Generated novel biopolymer systems that combine both self-assembly and mechanical properties of spider silks

and uranium binding domains, resulting in selective interactions of uranyl ions to bridge organic-inorganic systems

to control composite material design and properties

! Hands-on experience in engineering and characterizing chimeric spider silks fused to tumor homing peptides that

serve as polymer platform for non-viral gene delivery

Master of Science, Organic Chemistry, University of Madras Advisor: Prof. R. Raghunathan May 2007

Synthesized bioactive compounds by dipolar cyclo-addition reactions with potential antifungal properties

Collaborative Work

Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute, USTAR, Utah State University October 2012 – Present

! Built large synthetic protein genes (1kb – 8kb), cloned them into expression vectors

! Key roles included designing experiments (DoE), process optimization and scale-up for fermentation for the pilot

facility at SBI by improving media formulation, glucose uptake and effect of antibiotics for increased protein

production

Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Boston University May 2011 – May 2012

! Investigated on improved predictability of biopolymer functionality by an integrated approach, employing

synergistically multiple design parameters such as synthesis, processing and modeling

! Responsible for iteratively modifying sequence chemistry and synthesizing block copolymers by genetic

engineering, utilizing a feedback loop comprised of processing (microfluidics) and computational modeling to serve

as a strategy to accelerate engineering of tailor–made functional materials

Georgia Institute of Technology April 2009 – May 2009

! Characterized 2D monolayer film assemblies at the air-water interface using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique and

their surface morphologies analyzed by AFM for varying lengths of hydrophobic blocks

Internships

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Advisor: Prof. P. Balaram Summer 2005

Synthesized peptides containing gabapentin and characterized their conformation using low temperature NMR

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Advisor: Prof. S. Chandrasekaran Summer 2004

Hands-on experience in a wet lab learning protection and de-protection reactions and modifications of Thioglycosides

Shasun Chemicals (R&D) Organization, India Winter 2002

Learnt basic nuances in various instrumentation and observed quality control (QC)/ quality assurance (QA)

management process

Publications

1. Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Wenwen Huang, Peggy Cebe, David L. Kaplan. Macromolecular Chemistry & Physics, 2014.

Influence of solution parameters on the phase diagram of a recombinant spider silk–like block copolymer. DOI:

10.1002/macp.201400135

2. Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, David L. Kaplan. Macromolecular Bioscience, 2013, 13 (2), 256–264. Bioengineered chimeric

spider silk–uranium binding proteins. DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201200272

3. Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Graham Bratzel, Michelle E. Kinahan, Joyce Y. Wong, Markus J. Buehler, David L. Kaplan.

Advanced Functional Materials, 2013, 23 (2), 241–253. Sequence–structure–property relationships of recombinant

spider silk proteins: Integration of biopolymer design, processing, and modeling. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201200510

4. Greta Gronau, Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Michelle E. Kinahan, Tristan Giesa,iJoyce Y. Wong, David L. Kaplan, Markus

J. Buehler. Biomaterials, 2012, 33 (33), 8240–8255. A review of combined experimental and computational

procedures for assessing biopolymer structure–process–property relationships. DOI:

10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.06.054

5. Wenwen Huang, Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, David Kaplan, Peggy Cebe. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry,

2012, 109 (3), 1193–1201.Thermal analysis of spider silk inspired di-block copolymers in the glass transition region by

TMDSC. DOI: 10.1007/s10973-012-2283-9

6. Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Wenwen Huang, Olena Rabotyagova, Eugenia Kharlempieva, Ikjun Choi, Vladimir V.

Tsukruk, Rajesh Naik, Peggy Cebe, David L. Kaplan. Langmuir, 2011, 27 (3), 1000–1008. Thin film assembly of

spider silk-like block copolymers. DOI: 10.1021/la102638j

7. Wenwen Huang, Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Xiao Hu, David Kaplan, Peggy Cebe. Macromolecules 2011, 44 (13), 5299–

5309. Heat capacity of spider silk-like block copolymers. DOI: 10.1021/ma200563t

8. Ekambaram Ramesh, Sreevidhya T. Krishnaji, Raghavachary Raghunathan. Tetrahedron Letters 2008, 49 (17),

2810–2814. Indium chloride/silica gel supported synthesis of pyrano/thiopyranoquinolines through intramolecular

imino Diels–Alder reaction using microwave irradiation. DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2008.02.128

Laboratory Skills

Competent in molecular biology techniques (DNA cloning, sub-cloning, insertion of genes into expression vectors,

!

PCR assays, bioinformatics), protein expression via fermentation and purification by affinity chromatography

Dexterous with electrophoretic methods such as agarose gels, SDS PAGE gels and western blotting

!

Experienced with 5, 10, 20 &100 L fermenters (BioFlo 310, BioFlo 610 & Winpact) and operating continuous flow

!

centrifuge for harvesting bacteria

Adept in purification techniques using HPLC, FPLC including ion-exchange, reverse phase and affinity

!

chromatography (ÄKTA micro, avant and pilot)

Purified spider silk from goats’ milk, by defatting milk initially followed by tangential flow filtration

!

Proficient with UV-VIS, FTIR-ATR, CD, DLS, DSC, TGA, Fluorimeter, Contact Angle, Instron instruments,

!

immunoassays (ELISA), imaging tools like Atomic force microscope (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM),

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and cryo-TEM and UNICORN software (ÄKTA)

Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), protocols and maintained records and

!

logbooks of all equipment as per current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Sreevidhya Tarakkad Krishnaji, Ph.D. 2

Distinctions & Accolades

Highlighted Work in American Physical Society (APS) May 2012

The Physics of creepy crawlies and ravenous plants, May 2012, 21 (8), 5

Highlighted Work in Chemical & Engineering News (CEN) March 2012

Learning from Spider silk, March 2012, 90 (13), 48–51

North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS) August 2010

Best Poster: ‘Impact of the hydrophilic block on the glass transition of spider silk block copolymers’

UK-India Education & Research Initiative Program (UKIERI) April 2007

Short-listed for UK-India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI)/ Glaxo Smith Kline placement program

Lindau Nobel Laureate Conference June 2006

th

Selected among scientists worldwide to participate in the 18 Meeting of Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry at Lindau,

Germany by the Department of Science & Technology, India

Young Science Fellowship May – July: 2003 – 2005

One among twenty-three candidates selected nationwide for prestigious Young Science Fellowship Program (YSFP)

at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore for three consecutive years for summer internship program

Teaching Experiences

Supervised undergraduates and graduates with recombinant techniques (cloning), bio-analytical techniques (SDS PAGE,

Western Blot), bioreactors (5L, 10L, 20L, 100L) in understanding the basic concepts behind fermentation, providing

guidance and troubleshooting techniques when required October 2012 – Present

Graduate Teaching Assistant August 2007 – May 2012

Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering (BME 164) Fall 2011, 2010

Graded quizzes and tutored students individually on problem solving

Laboratory Recombinant DNA Techniques course (BME 163) Summer 2011

Led hands-on graduate level laboratory course with tasks involving preparation of stock solutions, performing

experiments, pre-lab lecture, grading lab reports and quizzes

Trained undergraduates with few prior skills to pursue research in recombinant engineering techniques including

expression and purification of proteins Fall 2009, 2010

Organic chemistry II (Chem 52) Spring 2008

Led recitation classes for undergraduate organic chemistry course that involved drafting problem sets and solutions,

tutored students individually on tackling problem solving and graded quizzes

Organic chemistry I (Chem 51) Fall 2007

Supervised laboratory classes for undergraduate organic chemistry course with tasks that included a pre-lab lecture

emphasizing on keeping complete and accurate scientific notes, grading reports and exams, and coordinating with

research laboratories to access various facilities

Oral Presentations

Materials Research Society Fall Meeting (MRS) December 2013

Tunable Synthetic Biopolymers for Various Applications: Novel Chimeric Spider Silks to Understand Structure–

Function Relationships

Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute, Utah State University August 2013

Stronger than steel: Bioengineered spider silk biopolymers for tunable functionality

Poster Presentations

Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute Science & Technology Review Winter Meeting February 2014

Sreevidhya Tarakkad Krishnaji, Ph.D. 3

Bioengineering flagelliform and dragline spider silks for tunable functionality

Nano Engineering for Medicine & Biology (NEMB) February 2013

Modeling Structure and Mechanical Properties of Silk-Inspired Flow-Assembled Fibers

Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute Science & Technology Review Winter Meeting January 2013

Novel chimeric spider silk biopolymers for various applications

Fiber Society Fall Meeting and Technical Conference November 2012

Structure and Mechanical Properties of Silk-Inspired Flow-Assembled Fibers

North Eastern section Young Chemists Committee (NSYCC) April 2011

Hierarchical self-assembly of spider silk-block copolymers

New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) December 2010

Bioengineered spider silk block copolymers to assess structure-morphology relationships

The Open House for graduate students at the Chemistry department, Tufts University March 2009

Bioengineering of spider silk-like block copolymers for their controlled materials morphology

Miscellaneous

Adroit with construction of 3D-structures using paper origami

!

Took online courses offered by Coursera (Fall 2013 – Neuroethics, Basic Behavioral Neurology, Experimental

!

Genome Science, Programmed Cell Death, Useful Genetics Part I)

Secured third prize for modeling spider by origami using one dollar bills, May 2010

!

Represented chemistry department quiz team, Stella Maris College, India and won several accolades

!

References

Dr. Randolph V. Lewis Dr. David L. Kaplan

USTAR Professor STERN Family Professor of Engineering

Departments of Biology & Biological Engineering Professor & Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Utah State University Tufts University

Phone: 435-***-**** Phone: 617-***-****

E-mail: aceca3@r.postjobfree.com

E-mail: aceca3@r.postjobfree.com

Dr. Michael B. Hinman Mr. Justin A. Jones

Senior Research Scientist Senior Research Scientist

Department of Biology Department of Biology

Utah State University Utah State University

Phone: 435-***-**** Phone: 435-***-****

E-mail: aceca3@r.postjobfree.com E-mail: aceca3@r.postjobfree.com

Sreevidhya Tarakkad Krishnaji, Ph.D. 4

Contact this candidate