Research Associate Intern

SASRIKA VENKATACHALAPATHY

+1-667-***-**** *************@*****.*** San Diego, CA linkedin.com/in/sasrika-venkatachalapathy/ EDUCATION

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY August 2023 - May 2025

MS Biotechnology GPA: 3.89

PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY July 2019 - April 2023

BTech Biotechnology GPA: 3.6

SKILLS

- Molecular Biology: Molecular Cloning – Gibson Assembly and Golden Gate, CRISPR Editing, PCR, Electroporation, RT-PCR, Lentiviral Transfection, AAV based delivery, Non-viral delivery methods, Plasmid Isolation, RNA Isolation, TapeStation, HTRF Assays (FRET-based), Monoclonality Validation

- Cell Culture & Assays: Mammalian & Cancer Cell Culture (CHO-S, CHO K1, HEK293), Transduction, In vitro cell-based assays, Assay development, Clonogenic assay, Killing curve analysis, Vi-CELL XR Viability Analysis, Cedex Bio HT Metabolite Monitoring

- Immunological Techniques and protein analysis: Flow Cytometry, FACS, IHC Staining, ELISA, Cytokine Analysis, Protein Isolation, SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting, Ex vivo studies

- Animal & In vivo Studies: Mouse Handling, In vivo dosing, Thymus Dissection, Cryosectioning (brain, hippocampus)

- -SEC/CEX)

- Software: Python, UNIX, GraphPad Prism, Electronic Laboratory Notebook (Benchling), Labmatrix, FACS DIVA, LUMINEX, FLOW JO, R studio, Basic Linux, MEGA, Galaxy, Biorender, Octet BLI (Bio-Layer Interferometry)

- Abilities: Troubleshooting, Problem-Solving, Collaboration, Data analysis and interpretation, Communication, Time Management, Mentorship, cGMP/GLP Compliance, SOP Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wuxi Biologics LLC Cranbury, NJ, USA

Research Associate Intern, Cell Line Development May 2024 – Current

• Engineered dual-vector systems (sgRNA+Cas9 + heavy/light chain plasmids) for simultaneous gene editing and antibody expression, achieving stable pools in 2–3 weeks under Zeocin/Blasticidin selection. Validated knockouts via Sanger sequencing and INDEL analysis.

• Leveraged Vi-CELL XR to monitor CRISPR-edited CHO-S/K1 suspension cultures, correlating editing efficiency (via NGS validation) with growth curves, doubling time, and metabolic shifts (glucose/lactate via Cedex Bio HT). Identified edited clones with 20% improved viability post-knockout of growth-inhibitory genes.

• Combined FACS single-cell sorting with HTRF assays (FRET-based) to confirm monoclonality of CRISPR- modified clones, eliminating off-target effects. Implemented ddPCR for copy number verification, ensuring 95% clonal purity for high-titer production.

• Prioritized MCB candidates by linking CRISPR edits to critical quality attributes—glycosylation (MAN-5 shifts post-FUT8 knockout), charge variants.

• Performed CHO-S cell culture for recombinant antibody production, including RNA isolation and cDNA conversion for NGS- based antibody sequence verification.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - Department of Immunology Baltimore, MD, USA Research Assistant May 2024 – May 2025

• Manipulated and Cultured T cells, Mammalian cells (HEK293) cells, performed helper T cell differentiation, Lymphocyte and Myeloid Cell Activation assays, Lentiviral Transfection, Transduction, Activation, and Expansion of cell lines.

• Performed Blood Characterization and Immunophenotyping using Multi-color Flow Cytometry to analyze immune cell populations following Thymic injection in transplant models to assess graft rejection dynamics and validated CD4+ T cell repopulation in MHC II knockout mice after thymic transplant.

• Optimized Plate-based ELISA assays to quantify cytokine profiles and validate T cell activation states.

• Performed IV, IP, SC injections of Bone Marrow, Busulfan in transplantation mice models (B6, BALB/c, MHCII and RAG Knockout). Dissected mice post transplantation for ex vivo assays, characterization, and imaging.

• Developed longitudinal studies to evaluate thymic epithelial cell (TEC) efficiency, utilizing IVIS fluorescent imaging and microscopy to track T cell integration and graft survival in thymic cortex and medulla.

• Designed and executed CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing workflows for diabetes modeling, constructing plasmids and validating gene targets through qPCR and RT-PCR analysis. Labcorp Oncology and Diagnostics Baltimore, MD, USA Oncology Intern and R& D Associate May 2024 – May 2025

• Processed cancer patient biospecimens (whole blood fractionation, DNA extraction from plasma, FFPE blocks, and buffy coat) for tumor gene panel screening, and performed DNA extraction from tumor tissues, sectioning FFPE blocks for H&E staining to support pathology review and downstream genomic analysis.

• Optimized PGDx Elio Tissue Complete (ETC) and Elio Plasma Complete (EPC) assays for tumor screening, performing library preparation, hybrid capture, and NGS to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

• Authored and reviewed critical documents, including Manufacturing Batch Records (MBRs), SOPs, and deviation reports, ensuring compliance with cGMP and regulatory standards.

• Developed an audit plan to enhance operational quality in the BioSpecimen Intake laboratory, improving sample processing efficiency and reducing errors by 15%. Led the technology transfer process for genomic library preparation, transitioning from manual DNA extraction to automated EZ2 extraction, improving workflow efficiency by 30%. Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre Baltimore, MD, USA Research Assistant September 2023 - May 2024

• Directed Cancer-Immunotherapy studies focused on LNCap and LAPC4 Prostate cancer cell lines by performing gene knockout analysis targeting receptors in Androgenic signal pathways.

• Incorporated Gene Knockouts through CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, Molecular cloning and performed Protein extraction, Western Blot, RNA Isolation and qPCR analysis for validation studies.

• Conducted clonogenic assays, cell viability and killing curve analysis for SupraT and Erastin treatment for increasing ferroptosis in Prostate cancer cell line with introduced gene knockouts. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - Barbara Slusher Lab of Drug Discovery Baltimore, MD, USA Research Assistant February 2024 – October 2024

• Spearheaded in vivo studies to evaluate the pharmacological effects of nSMas2 inhibitors on tau propagation in Alzheimer’s mouse models, optimizing CNS dosing protocols (ICV and IT injections) for neuropharmacology studies.

• Cryosectioned mice brain and analyzed tau protein levels and neuronal activity in mouse brain (hippocampus, frontal cortex) through dosage studies, behavioral assays, and biochemical techniques, including H&E staining and Phosphorylated Tau (T181) ELISA.

• Performed cytokine analysis (Mouse Inflammation Array) in microglia and validated results using fluorescent and electron microscopy to study neuroinflammation and sciatic nerve activity.

• Conducted ELISA and Western blot analysis on EcoHIV-infected mouse brain tissues, contributing to the understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms.

Centre for Stem Cell Research, inStem, Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, TN, India Research Assistant January 2023 - June 2023

• Constructed pUC plasmids via restriction digestion and ligation cloning for vector assembly, optimizing insert-to-vector ratios and screening clones by colony PCR and Sanger sequencing to ensure correct recombinant constructs.

• Introduced mutations in a surface signal peptide specific to extracellular vesicles by molecular cloning, targeted HEK293 cells to increase GFP (Green Fluorescence Protein) delivery and overexpressed CD9, CD47 antigens on the surface of HEK293 cells and hematopoietic stems cells.

• Executed a comprehensive mammalian cell and stem cell culture protocol, optimizing growth conditions, resulting in a 50% increase in cell viability during transient transfection and Lentiviral Transduction.

• Mastered Cellular techniques including Exosome isolation, 2nd Generation Lentivirus Production, RT-PCR, Flow Cytometry, Nucleofection, resulting in successful creation of 10+ recombinant plasmid expressing cells for gene expression studies. Azymes Biosciences Private Limited Bengaluru, KA, India Research Project Assistant May 2022 - June 2022

• Implemented a robust screening strategy to evaluate polyclonal antibodies against Pseudomonas antigens, employing advanced techniques including ELISA and Western blot analysis to isolate and validate antibodies with exceptional specificity and sensitivity.

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