Medical Research

SHIKHA SHRIVASTAVA, M.Sc., Ph.D.

**** ******* *****, ******** ****, MD 21043

Cell: 240-***-****, Email: ************@*****.***

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=shikha+shrivastava

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikha-shrivastava-87724419/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pfkUL8QAAAAJ&hl=en

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Proficient basic and translational scientist with 10 years of experience in Viral Immunology and Infectious diseases caused by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV virus leading to advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. I have inventive research experience in the field of Viral Immunology, Microbiology and Vaccinology. I am highly motivated and detail-oriented scientist having strong experience in running laboratory bench studies, patient studies, experimental design, set-up, and analysis, as well as trouble-shooting with exceptional organizational and communication skills. My research contribution is to develop therapeutic strategies against viral infections by elucidating the role and mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity in antiviral activity, effectiveness in vivo with clinical relevance. I have a strong desire to research the next generation immunotherapeutic approaches to boost immune responses and improve the life of patients.

SKILLS

Scientific Skills

Proficient in Multi-parameter flow cytometry (18 color), advanced flow cytometry technique based on single-cell mass spectrometry (Cytometry by Time-Of- Flight [CyTOF]), Multiplex cytokine estimation assays (Luminex platform), ELISA, ELISPOT, MSD and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS)

Independently designing and optimizing 18 COLOR flow cytometry panels and analyzing the data using analytical software such as FlowJo and Cytobank.

Experience in handling flow cytometer (BD FACS Canto, BD FACS ARIA II, LSR-2, Cytek Aurora).

Expertise in cell culture aseptic techniques and various in vitro assays, cellular signaling, cytokine secretion, cell proliferation, cytotoxicity and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) sorting with BD FACS ARIA II. Experience working with BSL-2 and BSL-3 environment.

Virus-specific T cell line maintenance, isolation of T, B and NK cells from human peripheral blood.

Molecular Biology techniques: DNA and RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning and western blot, Gene expression analysis, microarray and RNA sequencing analysis.

Ex-vivo expansion of primary human immune cells; Functional/immunological characterization of immune cells such as T cells, B cells, myeloid cells (Myeloid derived suppressors cells), and Dendritic cells. Extensive experience in various Immunological assays such as B cell and T-cell functional characterization assays including in vitro cytotoxicity, proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine measurements.

Expertise in the development, execution, and interpretation of immunoassays such as experimental design, data analysis and interpretation; strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; adherence and maintains GLP.

Successfully complete and deliver projects within timelines and time constraints. Adept at multitasking and strategic management of parallel projects based on priorities.

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills demonstrated by delivering multiple Oral presentations in prestigious International conferences and being a primary author in peer reviewed journals.

Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, and translation of innovative ideas into practice.

Management/Reviewing Skills:

Research Grant: Developed and execute research proposals for funding (grant writing): determining eligibility and gathering data for proposals, outlining timeline for submission, interpretation of data, preparing tables and charts as well as managing funding levels to maintain project functions.

Serve as liaison between technical staff, collaborators and industry partners

Followed established guidelines to collect, compile, and organize data for various ongoing studies

Maintained laboratory safety procedures and protocols, as well as interacted with internal and external clients of the laboratory; routinely interacted with and organized meetings with various collaborators within the institute and outside, prepared presentation and documents for review

Proficient in maintaining, summarizing and reporting detailed research results (oral/ written formats).

Technology Skills:

Microsoft Office (word, power point, excel, access, outlook), Adobe, FlowJo, Spice, Pestle, GraphPad (Prism).

WORK HISTORY

08/2018 to Current Senior Postdoctoral Fellow

Center for vaccine development, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

I am working on a project entitled “Serological assays to predict Shigella vaccine efficacy”. My goal is to establish and validate serological assays to measure antibody-mediated bactericidal (SBA) and opsonophagocytic (OPKA) activity, and assays to measure inhibition of macrophage/neutrophil toxicity (IMT/INT). I am also developing multiplex ELISA (MSD platform) to quantify (in a single well) antibodies against multiple Shigella antigens. My project also aims to identify the animal models of serological predictors of efficacy similar to humans.

09/2014 to 08/2018 Postdoctoral Fellow

Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

I worked on a project in which I have done the functional and transcriptomic analysis of CCR5+ T cells in the liver and peripheral blood of HIV/HCV co-infected subjects in order to delineate their specific mechanism of accelerated fibrogenesis and progression of liver disease. In another project, I investigated the immunophenotypes (immune activation and exhaustion) and HCV specific functions (cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity) of T cells in HIV/HCV co-infected subjects successfully treated for HCV with one of three DAA-only regimens hypothesizing that different combination of DAA regimes (two and three-drug combinations) may have differential effect on the immune cell phenotypes (activation and exhaustion) and functions in HIV/HCV co-infected subjects. I have also assessed the impact of those DAA therapies in the resolution of immunosuppressive MDSCs and T-regs frequencies and functions in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

02/2013-08/2014 Postdoctoral Fellow

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD

I contributed in developing a new immunological system that tested responses to a novel Dendritic cell based therapeutic vaccine and characterized the innate and vaccine specific adaptive immune responses such as B and T cell responses. I also worked on a clinical trial of a novel interferon free regime for HCV to investigate the changes in HCV specific immune responses correlated with viral decline during the interferon free anti-HCV direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in HCV Genotype1 infected subjects.

03/2012-01/2013 Visiting Fellow

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD

My research focus was to understand the immune regulation at a cellular and molecular level in the setting of viral infections such as hepatitis viruses specifically Hepatitis B and C and HIV aiming to develop strategies to correct defective regulatory pathways with novel immunotherapies and vaccines against chronic viral diseases.

EDUCATION

2013 Ph.D.: Biomedical Sciences (Immunology)

Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi University South Campus, New Delhi, India.

2007 Master of Science: Biotechnology

Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.

2005 Bachelor of Science: Biotechnology

Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As a dedicated and passionate scientist, I have researched new drugs and therapies for patients with immunological diseases, liver diseases and Hepato cellular carcinoma / Liver Cancer.

I am scientifically driven, detailed-oriented, efficient multi-tasker and possess strong organization and management skills that have led to the timely completion of projects. I have consistently adapted to the changing technology in the field of immunology.

I have 11 peer-reviewed publications and National and International acclaimed research awards.

Recipient of the prestigious Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) fellowship for Ph. D. degree.

Trained/Supervised numerous Junior Research Fellows, Post Baccalaureate students and Technicians.

PUBLICATIONS

1.Shrivastava S, Ward H, Mondal R K, Bhatta M, Sherman K, Kottilil S, Tang L. CCR5+T cells homing to the liver exhibit Inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic signatures in chronic HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Journal of Hepatology (minor revision)

2.Shrivastava S, Bhatta M, Ward H, Lee R, Rosenthal E, Osinusi A, Kohli A, Masur H, Kottilil S, Wilson E. Multi-Target DAA Therapy is Associated with Superior Immunologic Recovery in HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients.. Hepatology Communications. 2018

3.Shrivastava S, Bhatta M, Osinusi A, Kohli A, Masur H, Kottilil S, Wilson E. Multi-Target DAA Therapy is associated with resolution of T cell suppression marked by reduced T regulatory cells and Myeloid derived suppressor cells in HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients. (Under review in Journal of infectious disease).

4.Shrivastava S, Wilson E, Poonia B, Tang L, Osinusi A, Kohli A, et al. Augmentation of HCV specific immunity and sustained virological response (SVR). J Viral Hepat 2017; doi: 10.1111/ jvh.12702.

5.Shrivastava S, Meissner EG, Funk E, Poonia S, Shokeen V, Thakur A, Poonia B, Sarin SK, Trehanpati N, Kottilil S. Elevated hepatic lipid and interferon stimulated gene expression in HCV GT3 patients relative to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatol Int. 2016 May 18. PMID: 27193023.

6.Shrivastava S, TrehanPati N, Patra S, Kottilil S, Pande C, Trivedi SS, Sarin SK. Increased regulatory T cells and impaired functions of circulating CD8 T lymphocytes is associated with viral persistence in Hepatitis B virus-positive newborns. J Viral Hepat. 2013 Aug; 20(8): 582-91.

7.Shrivastava S, TrehanPati N, Kottilil S, Sarin SK. Decline in immature transitional B cells after hepatitis B vaccination in hepatitis B positive newborns. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Jul; 32(7): 792-4.

8.Kattakuzhy S, Wilson E, Sidharthan S, Sims Z, McLaughlin M, Price A, Silk R, Gross C, Akoth E, McManus M, Emmanuel B, Shrivastava S, Tang L, Nelson A, Teferi G, Chavez J, Lam B, Mo H, Osinusi A, Polis MA, Masur H, Kohli A, Kottilil S. Moderate Sustained Virologic Response Rates With 6-Week Combination Directly Acting Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in Patients With Advanced Liver Disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Feb 15; 62(4): 440-7PMID: 26503379.

9.King TH, Kemmler CB, Guo Z, Mann D, Lu Y, Coeshott C, Gehring AJ, Bertoletti A, Ho ZZ, Delaney W, Gaggar A, Subramanian GM, McHutchison JG, Shrivastava S, Lee YJ, Kottilil S, Bellgrau D, Rodell T, Apelian D. A whole recombinant yeast-based therapeutic vaccine elicits HBV X, S and Core specific T cells in mice and activates human T cells recognizing epitopes linked to viral clearance. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 22; 9(7): PMID: 25051027.

10.Trehanpati N, Shrivastav S, Kottilil S, Sarin SK. Analysis of Notch and TGF-β Signaling Expression in Different Stages of Disease Progression During Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2012 Oct 4;3:e23. doi: 10.1038/ctg.2012.17.

11.Trehanpati N, Hissar S, Shrivastav S, Sarin SK. Immunological mechanisms of hepatitis B virus persistence in newborns. Indian J Med Res. 2013 Nov; 138(5):700-10.

12.Pande C, Sarin SK, Patra S, Kumar A, Mishra S, Srivastava S, Bhutia K, Hepatitis B vaccination with or without hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth to babies born of HBsAg-positive mothers prevents overt HBV transmission but may not prevent occult HBV infection in babies: a randomized controlled trial. J Viral Hepat. 2013 Nov;20(11):801-10

13.Sarin SK, Kumar M, Shrivastava S, Sinha S, Pati NT, Influence of Chronic HBV Infection on Pregnancy: a Human Model of Maternofetal Virus Host Interactions, Gastroenterology. 2011 Oct; 141(4):1522-5.

14.TrehanPati N, Kotillil S, Hissar SS, Shrivastava S, Khanam A, Sarin S K. Circulating Tregs correlate with viral load reduction in chronic HBV-treated patients with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. J Clin Immunol. 2011 Jun;31(3):509-20.

15.Pande C, Sarin SK, Patra S, Bhutia K, Mishra SK, Pahuja S, Jain M, Shrivastava S., Dar SB, Trivedi SS, Mukhopadhyay CK and Kumar A. Prevalence, risk factors and profile of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women in India. J Med Virol. 2011 Jun;83(6):962-7

Oral Presentation (8)

1.Paper entitled “CCR5+T cells homing to the liver exhibit Inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic signatures in chronic HIV/HCV co-infected patients” was selected for Oral presentation at APASL 2018, 14-18 January, New Delhi, India.

2.Paper entitled “Increased hepatic recruitment of CD4+CCR5+ T cells with increased activation and exhaustion phenotype: A possible mechanism for intrahepatic inflammation/fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients” was selected for Oral presentation at the Liver Meeting® AASLD 2016 to held in Boston.

3.Paper entitled “Novel effect of NS5A inhibition on Augmentation of HCV specific immunity and Sustained Virological Response" was selected for Oral presentation at APASL STC on HCV, 18-20 December, New Delhi, India.

4.Paper entitled "Elevated host hepatic lipid and interferon stimulated gene expression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype-3 relative to patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)" selected for Oral presentation at APASL STC on HCV, 18-20 December.

5.Paper entitled “Decline in immunosuppressive transitional B cells along with enhanced memory response following vaccination in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infected newborns are beneficial” was accepted for Oral Presentation in 2nd International Conference on Immune Tolerance 2011 at Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

6.Paper entitled “Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) mediated down regulated expression of CD3ζ (T cell receptor signaling molecule) is associated with phenotypic and functionally defective T cells in HBV infected newborns” was accepted for Oral presentation at American association of Liver Disease 2010 at Boston, USA (AASLD 2010).

7.Abstract entitled “Immunological marker profiling for T cell activation, T regulatory cells, Toll like receptors and chemokine receptor expression in neonates born to mothers positive and negative for HBV infection” was accepted for Oral presentation in Indian Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (INASL) 2009 at New Delhi, India

8.Paper entitled “Impaired chemokine receptor but not T regulatory cell expression is partially restored after vaccination in newborns to HBV positive mothers” was accepted for Oral presentation in Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) 2009 at Hyderabad, India.

Academic Excellence, Awards and Honors

Received best paper award and Travel award in APASL STC-2015, New Delhi, India for the paper entitled “Novel effect of NS5A inhibition on Augmentation of HCV specific immunity and Sustained Virological Response”.

Received best poster award in APASL STC-2015, New Delhi, India for the poster entitled “Transcriptomic analysis of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/- T regulatory in HCV-mono-infection and HCV/HIV-Co-infection”

Accomplished 3 months research training in the Immunology Laboratory of Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme, Heisenberg-Professor for Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, and University of Freiburg, Germany for the completion of Ph.D. thesis research work from Nov. 2009- Jan. 2010.

Received Senior Research Fellowship (2009-2011) from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India to pursue Ph. D. Degree.

Received Junior Research Fellowship (2007-2009) from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India for pursuing Ph. D. Degree.

Travel Grant awarded for the abstract entitled “Impaired chemokine receptor but not T regulatory cell expression is partially restored after vaccination in newborns to HBV positive mothers” accepted for poster presentation at World Congress of Gastroenterology 2009, London.

Best Poster Award received for the poster “Impaired chemokine receptor but not T regulatory cell expression is partially restored after vaccination in newborns to HBV positive mothers” presented at World Congress of Gastroenterology 2009, London.

Recepient of Best Poster and Podium Presentation Award for the poster “Immunological marker profiling for T cell activation, T regulatory cells, Toll like receptors and chemokine receptor expression in neonates born to mothers positive and negative for HBV infection” presented at Indian Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (INASL) 200, New Delhi, India

Citizenship status: Permanent resident; legally permitted to work in the United States

References: On request.

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