Assistant Engineering

Keerthana Devarajan b7zrfq@r.postjobfree.com

210-***-****

EDUCATION

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS July 2011

Master of Science in Bioengineering (Honors) GPA : 3.5

Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum, India June 2008

Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology Rank: 4/600

WORK EXPERIENCE

Auditory and Vestibular Neuroscience Laboratory - KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

Research Assistant September 2011– Present

•Performed and analyzed behavioral studies in rats for screening tinnitus

•Conducted in vivo studies in mice

Graduate Research Assistant June 2010 – August 2011

•Independently developed a method for adenoviral gene delivery in stem cells

•Analyzed inner ear hair cell differentiation in stem cells through immuno staining and RT PCR

•Evaluated the effects of different polycations and improved overall gene expression in stem cells

•Evaluated gene expression and compared transduction efficiency of adenoviral serotypes in stem cells

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Graduate Research Assistant September 2009 – May 2011

•Engineered a recombinant retroviral vector carrying specific gene of interest

•Contributed to and collaborated in a study comparing gene expression in different methods of non viral gene delivery

•Mentored two undergraduate students

•Reviewed articles for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Otology & Neurotology under advisor’s supervision

RESEARCH SKILLS

Microscopy and Analytical Imaging: Fluorescence microscopy, Confocal microscopy

Cell and Molecular Biology: Aseptic cell culture, Primary stem cell isolation (Umbilical cord stroma and Bone marrow), Organ culture, RNA and DNA isolation, qRT-PCR, RAPD, Primer Designing, Restriction digestion, Cloning, Vector production

Immunology: ELISA, FACS, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, Western blotting, SDS-PAGE, Gel electrophoresis

Biochemical Assays: Hydroxyproline assay, Glycosaminoglycan assay, Picogreen assay, BCA protein assay, Viability assays (Live/Dead, MTS assay)

Histology: Tissue preparation (cryo, plastic and paraffin-embedded), tissue staining (H&E)

Gene Delivery: Viral gene delivery (Adeno, AAV and Retrovirus), Non viral gene delivery (NEON, Nucleofection, Lipofectamine, Fugene, PEI and TAT mediated)

In vivo Studies: Implanted transfected stem cells into mouse cochlea (Posterior canalostomy, Round window injection)

SOP writing: Established protocols for working with animals and viral vectors

Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Statistical program (SPSS), Beacon Designer (Primer Designer)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS

•Biomedical Engineering Society - BMES (2009-Present) – Member

•Bioengineering Student Council, University of Kansas - BioESC (2009-2011) – Member

•Biotechnology Student Council, RV College of Engineering - BIOSKEN (2005-2008) – Board Member and Creative Head

•Devarajan K, Forrest ML, Staecker H, Detamore MS, “Adenoviral Mediated Gene Delivery to Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Inner Ear Hair Cell Differentiation,” TERMIS, Houston, TX (December, 2011)

•Devarajan K, Forrest ML, Staecker H, Detamore MS, “Adenoviral Mediated Gene Delivery to Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Inner Ear Hair Cell Differentiation,” BMES, Hartford, CT (October, 2011)

PUBLICATIONS

•Devarajan K, Forrest ML, Detamore MS, Staecker H, “Adenovector Mediated Gene Delivery to Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induces Inner Ear Cell Phenotypes,” Cellular Reprogramming (Submitted 2011)

•Devarajan K, Staecker H, Detamore MS, “A Review of Gene Delivery and Stem Cell Based Therapies for Regenerating Inner Ear Hair Cells,” Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 2, 249-270, 2011 (Invited review article)

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