Application for Clinical Research Trial position

Chaitali Saqcena, Ph.D.

San Jose, CA *****

347-***-**** *****.********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/chaitalisaqcena SUMMARY

Creative and driven cell biologist with 15 years of experience in academia and industry, offering a solid foundation in research, data analysis, and advanced experimental techniques. Currently transitioning into roles in Clinical Research, leveraging strong project management, mentoring skills, and expertise in clinical research practices. Certified in Clinical Research, with a passion for advancing clinical trials through meticulous attention to detail, scientific rigor, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.

CERTIFICATIONS

• Data Management for Clinical Research, Vanderbilt University (coursera), issued: March,2025

• Clinical Trials Operations, Johns Hopkins University (coursera), issued: Nov, 2024

• Clinical Research Associate, Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program, Issued : Oct 2024, Exp: Oct 2025

• Clinical Trials: Good Clinical Practice, Novartis (coursera), Issued: March, 2024

• Drug Development Product Management, University of California, San Diego (coursera), Issued: March, 2024

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RESEARCH SCIENTIST Cellecta, Inc., Mountain View, CA Feb 2023 – Aug 2024

• Led large-scale lentiviral production operations as part of a collaborative team, significantly enhancing the organization's production capabilities by 50%.

• Consistently delivered high-quality outputs while meeting strict deadlines and maintaining customer satisfaction.

• Directed the entire commercial product lifecycle for a genetic engineering tool, from initial design to final delivery.

• Oversaw 5–7 concurrent projects weekly, ensuring alignment with deadlines and deliverables.

• Streamlined internal workflows, achieving a 95% on-time delivery rate.

• Effectively coordinated stakeholder expectations 99% of the time through clear communication, strategic planning, and proactive problem-solving.

• Contributed to the development of a new product line for TCR-epitope screening platform to discover and characterize novel TCR-Peptide-MHC interactions. VISITING SCIENTIST Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY Aug 2021 – Feb 2022

• Investigated small-molecule autophagy modulators as potential therapeutic agents in a Niemann- Pick C1 (NPC1) mouse model of neurodegenerative disease, successfully completing projects by leveraging strong project management and data analysis skills. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY May 2018 – July 2021

• Directed a study on small-molecule autophagy modulators as potential therapeutic agents in the NPC1 mouse model, achieving project goals for the NIH R01 grant by leveraging project management expertise, collaboration, attention to detail, and proficiency with relevant software.

• Led preclinical research on the therapeutic effects of FDA-approved small molecules for neurodegenerative diseases, driving advancements in treatment strategies.

• Managed animal studies, including strategic breeding and handling of transgenic mice, while ensuring strict compliance with IACUC regulations. Chaitali Saqcena, Ph.D. Page 2

• Oversaw laboratory budgets, optimizing reagent usage and procurement to maintain cost efficiency without compromising quality.

• Directed NIH R01 grant-funded projects, managing the full research lifecycle from conception to completion.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams and academic institutions, effectively utilizing resources to accelerate project progress.

• Applied project management methodologies to track milestones, mitigate risks, and ensure timely and successful delivery of research outcomes.

• Effectively presented research outcomes within the institute and at external forums, leveraging strong communication skills to engage diverse audiences. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT Rutgers University, Newark, NJ Jan 2014 – July 2017

• Investigated autophagy flux and stress response mechanisms in the rat cerebral cortex following traumatic brain injury (TBI). With effective collaboration in and outside the department, I discovered that the TAT-Beclin1 peptide significantly reduces neuronal cell death by enhancing autophagy and mitigating stress response. Demonstrated adaptability, attention to detail, data analysis skills, and proficiency in both written and oral communication.

• Led all phases of the research project, planning and executing experiments to investigate therapeutic effect of synthetic peptide in Traumatic Brain Injury.

• Effectively managed both project-specific and general budgets, achieving significant cost savings and optimizing resource allocation.

• Developed and tracked project timelines, ensuring adherence to milestones, which led to the successful completion of key studies.

• Effectively presented research outcomes within the institute and at external forums, leveraging strong communication skills to engage diverse audiences.

• Supervised and mentored junior scientific trainees, ensuring smooth laboratory operations and fostering a collaborative research environment.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Mentored undergraduate, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY May 2018 – July 2021

• Demonstrated team and study leadership and troubleshooting skills to mentor two undergraduate students in their research projects.

Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Courses, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ Jan 2011 – Dec 2013

• Mentored undergraduate and pre-medical students, fostering academic growth and research skills through effective leadership and communication.

• Led and managed lab courses in General Biology and Microbiology, showcasing strong organization, curriculum development, and hands-on teaching expertise while upholding rigorous assessment standards.

Lecturer, Royal College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, India July 2007 – Dec 2007

• Delivered comprehensive lectures in Molecular Biology and Animal Biotechnology, effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to undergraduate students. EDUCATION

Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Rutgers University – Newark (2011 – 2018) SKILLS

• Project Management

• Team and Study Leadership

• Organizational and time management

• Verbal and written communication

Chaitali Saqcena, Ph.D. Page 3

• Collaborative

• Adaptable and flexible

• Analytical aptitude

• Data Management

• Computational software: Excel, Word,

PowerPoint, GraphPad Prism, Zen,

MetaMorph, Image

• Computational database: REDCap

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