Quality Assurance Medical

RAJESH RAMAKRISHNAN

***** ******** ***** * Houston, TX 77035 * ************@*****.*** * Mobile: 520-***-****, Home: 713-***-****, Work: 713-***-****

Scientific professional poised to leverage academic and professional experience toward research and project management positions within the healthcare industry

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

* Leverage outstanding organizational and analytical skills to evaluate and revise scientific research processes and procedures; broad pharmaceutical industry experience.

* Tenacious, quick-thinking problem solver with the ability to correlate diverse, incomplete or contradictory information to produce rapid solutions.

* Lead scientific and research teams in establishing precise project plans to ensure all critical-path/project milestones are completed on schedule with highest degrees of accuracy.

* Consistently demonstrate ability to multi task and interact positively with senior management with tact and professionalism; celebrated for dedication and quality of work.

* Possess diverse scientific and managerial skills that transfer readily to a range of positions and scientific fields.

* Innate leadership skills and ability to efficiently work both cooperatively and independently

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

PH.D. IN MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY, 2005

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZ

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY, 1995

BHAVAN'S COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI, Mumbai, India

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY, 1991

BHAVAN'S COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI, Mumbai, India

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

* Understanding HIV Dynamics, Texas Medical Center, 2011

* Attended Genetic Instability and Cancer Symposium, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2009

* Life Science Entrepreneur Course, Rice University Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, 2008

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, 2009-Present

* Nominated to the Ruth L. Kirschtein National Research Service Fellowship on a departmental training grant focusing on clinical research in AIDS.

* Evaluating the role of Epstein-Barr virus encoded microRNA (miRNA) in the oncogenesis of Nasal NK-T cell lymphomas (NKTCL).

* Processing tonsillar tissues to isolate T-cells for investigating HIV-1 replication in these cells.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, 2005 – 2009

BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, Houston, TX

A premier research institution and medical college

* Research role of cyclin T2 in global gene regulation and following HIV-1 infection by shRNA knockdown and microarray, using siRNA and human kinome screens to identify the activating kinase for Cdk9, and regulation of Cdk9 in primary T-cells and Macrophages.

* Expand experience in molecular biology and tissue culture techniques, with specialization in HIV-1 biology.

* Manage projects throughout entire lifecycle, ensuring successful completion.

* Served as President of 600+ member Baylor College of Medicine Postdoctoral Association; raise awareness of school administration to contributions of postdoctoral researchers and arrange career development workshops and social/community events.

* Received 2nd Prize for best research presentation for post-doctorals at Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, 2007.

* Received 3rd Prize for best research presentation for post-doctorals at Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, 2006 & 2010.

GRADUATE STUDENT, 1999 – 2005

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZ

* Isolated specific blood cells from whole blood and perform infection assays with primary HIV-1 isolates in BSL-3 facility.

* Studied kinetics of HIV-1 replication in cord and adult blood mononuclear cells, and conducted FACS analysis to measure cell surface expression of HIV-1 receptor (CD4), and co-receptor (CXCR4, CCR5).

* Analyzed role of post entry events, including reverse transcription, translocation of PIC and gene expression in disease progression in HIV-1 infected infants.

* Performed characterization of nef, rev, gp41 and Rev responsive element (RRE) in HIV-1 infected mothers and their infants following perinatal transmission.

* Assessed effect of glycolipid analogs (gp120 inhibitors) on HIV-1 replication in various cell lines and primary cells.

* Managed multiple projects simultaneously and while handling teaching duties.

OFFICER– MICROBIOLOGY / QUALITY ASSURANCE, 1997 – 1999

RHONE-POULENC (I) LTD., Mumbai, India

A multi-national pharmaceutical company that later merged with Hoechst to form Aventis.

* Held responsibility for microbiological aspects of quality assurance in manufacture of parenteral, liquid and solid oral pharmaceutical formulations, including maintaining documentation in accordance with specified regulations.

* Provided training to manufacturing personnel in testing as a regulatory requirement.

SUPERVISOR -MICROBIOLOGIST, 1995 – 1997

FRANCO-INDIAN PHARMACEUTICALS LTD., Mumbai, India

A pharmaceutical manufacturing company with over 1200 employees, producing diverse products including ointments, liquid-orals, and solid-orals for indications ranging from diabetes to anemia.

* Succeeded in meeting production targets by motivating employees, and improving product yield through strategic planning and research.

* Supervised nine employees in attainment of company manufacturing/performance objectives.

JUNIOR LAB TECHNICIAN, 1994 – 1995

K.J. SOMAIYA MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTRE Mumbai, India

A medical college and teaching hospital

* Held responsibility for isolation and identification of etiological agents from clinical samples, and assessment of antibiotic sensitivity spectrum of the isolated etiological agent.

* Worked closely with clinicians and co-workers to complete projects successfully.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

* Molecular Biology Software: Clone Manager, GCG Wisconsin Package, Flow Jo

* Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Word, PowerPoint, Excel

* Virology: BSL-3; Infection studies with HIV-1 isolates; Transcriptional regulation of HIV-1; Gene expression studies using shRNA lentiviral vectors and siRNA; Screening potential drugs as anti-virals

* Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry: Western blotting; Immunoprecipitations; Kinase assays, DNA isolation (genomic and plasmid) and RNA isolation (total and mRNA); PCR; Q-Real Time-PCR; cloning; DNA transfections (liposome-based and electroporation)

* Cell Culture: Animal cell culture (many cell lines and primary cells); Isolation and culturing of various human primary cells (lymphocytes, macrophages); Flow Cytometry

* Microbiology: Isolation and identification of bacteria; Aseptic culture techniques; Trained students in microbiological techniques.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

* American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2006-Present)

* Member, New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) (2012)

* Associate Member, Baylor College of Medicine Center for AIDS Research (2006-Present)

* President, Baylor Postdoctoral Association (2008-2010)

* Member, Baylor College of Medicine Diversity Council (2008-present)

* Ex-Officio member, Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School Academic Council (2006-2010)

* Member, Baylor Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (2007-2010)

* Representative of Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology to Postdoctoral Advisory Council (2007- 2008)

* Secretary- Baylor Postdoctoral Association (2006-2008)

PUBLICATIONS (OUT OF 17)

1) Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Hart Donahue, David Garcia, Jie Tan, Norio Shimizu, Andrew P. Rice and Paul D. Ling. Epstein-Barr virus BART9 miRNA modulates LMP1 levels and affects growth rate of Nasal NK T cell lymphomas. 6(11):e27271. PLoS One. (2011)

2) Rajesh Ramakrishnan, W.Yu & A.P.Rice. Limited redundancy in genes regulated by Cyclin T2 and Cyclin T1. BMC Research Notes. 4: 260. (2011)

3) Rajesh Ramakrishnan & A.P.Rice. Cdk9 T-loop phosphorylation is regulated by the calcium signaling pathway. Journal of Cellular Physiology. Published online (March 29, 2011)

4) Rajesh Ramakrishnan, E. C. Dow & A.P. Rice. Characterization of Cdk9 T-loop phosphorylation in resting CD4+ T lymphocytes. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 86(6):1345-50. (2009)

5) Wang Y, Dow EC, Liang Y-Y, Ramakrishnan R, Lin X, Feng X-H, and Rice A.P. Phosphatase PPM1A regulates phosphorylation of Thr-186 in the Cdk9 T-loop. JBC. 283 (48):33578-84. (2008)

6) Yu W, Ramakrishnan R, Wang Y, Chiang K, Tzu-Ling S and Rice A.P. Cyclin T1 dependent genes in activated CD4+ T cells and macrophages are enriched in HIV-1 co-factors. PLoS One. 3(9):e3146 (2008)

7) Rajesh Ramakrishnan & N.Ahmad. Derivation of primary sequence and secondary structure of rev responsive element from HIV-1 infected mothers and infants involved in vertical transmission. Virology. 359 (1): 201-211 (2007).

8) Vasudha Sundaravaradan*, Shailendra K. Saxena*, Rajesh Ramakrishnan*, Venkat R.K.Yedavalli, David T.Harris and Nafees Ahmad. Differential Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication in Neonatal and Adult Blood Mononuclear Cells is influenced at the Level of HIV-1 Gene Expression. PNAS. 103:117**-***** (2006) (* Equal contribution)

9) Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Roshni Mehta, Vasudha Sundaravaradan, Tiffany Davis and Nafees Ahmad. Characterization of HIV-1 envelope gp41 genetic diversity and functional domains following perinatal transmission, Retrovirology. 3: 42 (4 July) (2006)

10) Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Alison Holzer, Roshni Mehta, Vasudha Sundaravaradan and Nafees Ahmad. Genetic Characterization of HIV Type 1 rev Gene From Mothers and Infants Following Perinatal Transmission. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 21 (12):1035-1045. (2005)

REFERENCES

• Dr. Andrew P. Rice. Nancy Chang Professor, Dept. of Molecular Virology & Microbiology. Baylor College of Medicine. *****@***.*** . 713-***-****.

• Dr. Janet Butel. Chair, Dept. of Molecular Virology & Microbiology. Baylor College of Medicine. ******@***.*** . 713-***-****.

• Dr. H. F. Gilbert. Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Baylor College of Medicine. ********@***.*** . 713-***-****.

• Dr. Nafees Ahmad. Professor, Dept. of Immunobiology, University of Arizona. ******@*.*******.*** . 520-***-****.

Contact this candidate