Molecular Biology Translational Research

Sakshi Jain

Email: ********@***.*** Phone: 551-***-**** LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakshivjain

Summary

Scientist with 2+ years of experience designing and validating nanoformulated therapeutics and in vitro disease models for CNS and inflammatory disorders. Proficient in mammalian cell-based assays, cytokine profiling, and analytical techniques to support drug mechanism studies and delivery validation. Strong communicator with a track record of publications, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration in translational research environments.

Technical Skills

• Molecular Biology: Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, cytokine profiling, flow cytometry, immune assays

• Cell Systems: Mammalian and primary cell culture, AAV transduction, barrier modeling

• Imaging & Microscopy: Confocal microscopy, TissueGnostic imaging

• Nanoformulation & Analytical Techniques: HPLC, DLS, UV-Visible spectroscopy, lyophilization

• Preclinical Development: Assay optimization, GLP compliance, ex vivo tissue processing

Relevant Experience

Research Technologist II Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Nov 2024 – May 2025

• Increased cell viability to >90% while running AAV transduction experiments in primary and mammalian cultures

• Quantified protein and cytokine expression shifts in response to gene delivery using ELISA and Western blot

• Processed murine tissues for downstream molecular assays, contributing to preclinical model development

• Maintained rigorous GLP-aligned documentation, supporting cross-functional translational studies

Graduate Researcher University of Illinois Chicago, Rockford Jan 2023 – Jul 2024

• Designed lipid-based drug conjugated nanoformulations to cross the BBB; validated uptake and marker dysregulation via confocal imaging and qPCR.

• Reduced formulation variability by 25% by optimizing lyophilization and characterization (UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, DLS)

• Achieved over 60% inflammatory cytokine suppression in LPS-activated microglia • Achieved dose dependent viability (over 90%) of microglia and neurons along with mitochondrial and oxidative stress assays to assess therapeutic efficacy in vitro

• Applied endosome/lysosome trafficking models to evaluate delivery system performance

Graduate Teaching Assistant University of Illinois Chicago, Rockford Aug 2023 – May 2024

• Taught HPLC, DLS, and microbiology labs to >40 graduate students

• Trained students in aseptic techniques and in vitro assay design

• Guided assay troubleshooting and instrumentation best practices

Education

Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology

University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Medicine, Rockford

Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology

BITS Pilani

Publications

• Jain, S. V., Revi, N., Bijukumar. D.R. (2024). Nanotherapeutic approaches for neuropsychiatric disorders. ACS Nano. (Under Review)

• Jain, S. V., Revi, N., Bijukumar. D.R. (2024). Identifying and targeting markers for neuropsychiatric disorders using tryptamine-functionalized liposomes. (In preparation)

• Jain, S. V., Revi, N., Bijukumar. D.R. (2024). Facilitating endosomal and lysosomal escape of gold-anchored tryptamine nanoliposomes through 5-HT4 targeting. (In preparation)

Conferences & Awards

• Best Poster Award – Barriers of the CNS Conference 2024 (GRC Series)

• Presentations – IBTN Symposium, TRI-CON Precision Med 2024, UIC Research Day, Materials 2024

Certifications

• Laboratory Animal Research – University of Illinois Chicago (2023)

• Animal Handling and IACUC Compliance – UIC & Northwestern (2024)

• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) – Northwestern University (2024)

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