Project Manager

SHILPA TIKEKAR

** ******** *****, *******, ** ***47

Phone: 917-***-****

E-mail: ******.*********@*****.***

Objective: Seeking the position of biotechnologist that takes advantage of multidisciplinary background and teamwork skills for development of new drug products.

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmaceutical Sciences): Graduation Date May 2011, St. John’s University, NY.

Doctoral Dissertation: Folate receptor-targeted long circulating Indocyanine Green (ICG) loaded nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer

Master of Science (Industrial Pharmacy): Graduation Date May 2004, St. John’s University, NY.

Thesis: Soft Gel Microencapsulation for Prednisolone Sustained Release

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Four Years Course): Graduation Date May 2000

M.C.E. Society’s Allana College of Pharmacy, Pune University, India.

Research Experience:

• Synthesized PLGA-mPEG copolymer by ring opening polymerization technique and characterized using TLC, DSC, NMR, FTIR and ester hydrolysis/saponification technique.

• Conjugated folic acid to PLGA polymer for targeted drug delivery to folate-receptor bearing cancer cells and characterized for folic acid content.

• Evaluated effect of various process and formulation parameters on the development of nanoparticle formulation prepared by multiple emulsion solvent evaporation method as well as development of soft gel microcapsules for sustained delivery.

• Experience in developing Modified Release and Novel delivery dosage forms for extended release.

• Formulated and characterized ICG loaded folate receptor targeting nanoparticles for release profile determination and fluorescence characterization

• Over 9 years of extensive teaching and lab experience in formulation of variety of dosage forms specializing in solids (tablets, capsules), semisolids (topical creams, ointments, lotions) & liquids (orals, parenterals) for branded and generic (Rx & OTC) products

o Experience in preparing sterile injectable solutions

o Experience in designing pre-formulation studies, selecting appropriate excipients and performing stability studies

o Experience in granulation and tabletting processes including tablet coating; testing parameters for tablets including hardness testing, friability testing, disintegration and dissolution studies.

o Successfully mimicked the marketed preparation of liquid oral dosage form Vicks Nyquil® cough syrup and worked on ingredients involving cosolvents and preservatives as well as optimized the formulation with respect to viscosity and color.

• Performed accelerated stability studies of ICG loaded nanoparticle formulations.

• Characterized breast cancer cell lines for folate receptors using radio active binding assay

• Characterized time-dependent intracellular uptake of ICG solution and nanoparticle formulations

• Confirmed method of uptake of nanoparticles using temperature-dependent intracellular uptake of ICG solution and nanoparticle formulations and competitive inhibition assay.

• Investigated photodynamic anti-proliferative activity of ICG loaded nanoparticles in cancer cells with the use of laser and MTT Assay.

• Developed Imaging Method using Fluorescent Imaging instrument in Solid Phantom Model

• Established biodistribution profile of nanoparticle formulations in healthy and tumor bearing mice using Fluorescent Imaging instrument.

• Characterized photodynamic effect of nanoparticle formulations on tumor bearing mice.

Professional Experience:

• Summer Internship (June 2004 to August 2004): Forest Laboratories, Commack, NY

• Solid State Characterization of Lisinopril

• Preformulation studies involving uptake of water by polymeric films: Surelease and Eudragit.

• Teaching Assistant (Sept 2001-May 2010): St. John’s University, NY. Teaching principles of pharmaceutics, conducting labs, evaluating, and mentoring Pharm. D. students.

• Management Trainee (Nov 2000 to June 2001): Li Taka Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pimpri, Pune, India. Worked in Tablet Technology Area; assisted Sr. Laboratory formulation scientist in technical aspects of formulation and carried out inprocess Quality Control checks for tablets.

Analytical and Technical Skills:

• Excellent laboratory skills in Fluorescence and UV/Visible Spectroscopy, Particle size analysis, Lyophilization, HPLC, TLC and Micro-well Plate Reader, Photo Dynamic Therapy and Imaging.

• Working knowledge of Gas Chromatography, FTIR, DSC, XRD, Dynamic Contact Angle Analyzer, and Vapor Sorption Analyzer.

• Fundamental knowledge and experience with polymer synthesis, conjugation, purification and characterization.

• Experience in working with cell culture, viability assay, radioactive binding assay and basic biotechnological lab techniques.

• Extensive experience in micro and nanoparticulate formulation development including, optimization and characterization for oral and parenteral drug delivery respectively.

• Experience in granulation and tabletting processes including tablet coating; testing parameters for tablets including hardness testing, friability testing, disintegration and dissolution studies.

• Hands on experience on formulation development and characterization of liquid oral dosage form involving use of cosolvents, preservatives; and formulation optimization with respect to product viscosity and color.

• Exceptional technical writing and oral skills

Publications:

• “Near-Infrared (NIR) Fluorescence Imaging Method Development for Tumor Imaging using Indocyanine Green (ICG)” accepted with revisions by Journal of Biomedical Optics

• “Surface Modified Indocyanine Green-loaded Nanoparticles for Targeting Delivery to Cancer Cells” accepted with revisions by Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Poster Presentations

• “Enhanced Cancer Cell Uptake of Indocyanine green by Folate-Targeted Nanoparticles” at AAPS, Atlanta in Nov. 2008.

• “Indocyanine green loaded folate receptor targeted methoxy polyethylene glycol-poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticle formulation development” at AAPS, San Diego in 2007.

• “Effect of Environmental conditions on solid state behavior of Lisinopril dihydrate” at AAPS, Nashville in 2005.

• “Soft Gel Microencapsulation for Prednisolone Sustained Release” at AAPS, Baltimore in 2004.

Professional Affiliations:

• Chair of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) - St.John’s University Student Chapter for the year 2008-09.

• Member of MENSA (for people with IQ in the top 2% of the population), India.

Awards: University Rank Holder in Third and Final year of B.Pharm.

Computer Skills: Proficient with data processing, interpretation, analysis, and representation using Windows 2007, MS-Word, Power Point, Excel, Sigma, Chem-Draw, Poster-7

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