Work Experience

🧑‍🔬🥼 Research Associate (part-time)

Stanford University 📍 Stanford, California, United States
August 2023 - Present

Employed R to analyze Bulk RNA-sequencing data (differential expression/pathway database enrichment/network analysis) from mouse and in vitro models of laryngeal injury, caused by inhaled tobacco and e-cigarette products, yielding actionable insights for functional validation studies.
Conducted functional validation assays on laryngeal tissue samples to evaluate changes in gene expression and protein levels from Bulk-RNA sequencing, enhancing study reliability.
Trained 5+ new staff, student trainees, and clinical residents in lab protocols and/or bioinformatic tools within four weeks of onboarding.

Stanford University 📍 Stanford, California, United States
October 2020 - July 2023

Assisted the Principal Investigator (PI) in setting up the laboratory and managing operations, overseeing equipment setup, resource allocation, safety compliance, and protocol development to establish a fully functional research laboratory.
Managed transgenic mice colonies, overseeing breeding, genotyping, and record-keeping to support research objectives and maintain colony health.
Created standard operating procedures (SOPs) for in vivo (mouse) inhalation studies on tobacco and e-cigarette products using inEXPOSE inhalation equipment to assess cardiovascular toxicity indicators.
Trained 3+ new staff and student trainees in lab and inhalation exposure protocols within four weeks of onboarding.

Stanford University 📍 Stanford, California, United States
October 2016 - July 2023

Led multiple in vivo (mouse) projects assessing acute and chronic effects of tobacco and e-cigarette inhalation using inEXPOSE inhalation equipment to gain insights into laryngeal toxicity.
Authored and co-authored 9 publications focused on tobacco product-induced laryngeal toxicity.
Conducted bioinformatic analysis on NanoString nCounter data from an inflammation panel using R, leading to a publication in Nature Scientific Reports.
Collaborated across multiple disciplines, including rhinology (nose) and otology (ear) divisions, contributing to different projects within the department, which led to 2 publications.

Baylor College of Medicine 📍 Houston, Texas, United States
March 2016 - October 2016

Designed an experimental study on the synergistic effects of bacteriophage and antibiotic therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in UTIs.
Inoculated bacterial cultures and biofilms and performed statistical analysis on data outcomes.
Documented research protocols (SOPs), ensured laboratory safety compliance, and maintained laboratory inventory.

UTHealth 📍 Houston, Texas, United States
September 2015 - March 2016

Studied the role of anaerobic oral bacteria (Fusobacterium nucleatum) deletion mutants in inducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in a murine model.
Assisted with mouse colony management, oral bacterial inoculations, and nucleic acid isolation (DNA/RNA) to support ongoing research projects.

University of Florida 📍 Gainesville, Florida, United States
August 2013 - May 2015

Thesis: Role of periodontal pathogens in induction of atherosclerosis in LDLR null mice.
Utilized cutting-edge technology and analytical tools to analyze microbial and cardiovascular health-related data and draw meaningful conclusions for thesis completion.
Collaborated with researchers on the thesis project and presented findings at academic conferences.
Received multiple awards from renowned institutes like the European Atherosclerotic Society (EAS) and American Society of Microbiology (ASM) for scientific research excellence.

Anna University 📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
December 2012 - April 2013

Provided support for cloning, expression, and purification of white spot syndrome viral (WSSV) proteins in Escherichia coli expression hosts.

Sankara Nethralaya Medical Research Foundation 📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
June 2012 - July 2012

Conducted suicide gene therapy experiments on cancer cell lines, including developing stable breast cancer line MCF 7 and analyzing Ep-CAM expression levels.
Evaluated transfection efficiency and conducted cell viability assays to assess the lethal effect of Ganciclovir on the cell lines.

Cancer Institute Adyar 📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
May 2011 - May 2011

Utilized Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to examine lung tissue samples for cancerous or non-cancerous characteristics.
Studied the techniques of Classic Karyotyping, Spectral Karyotyping (SKY), and Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH).

Lister Metropolis 📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
December 2010 - December 2010

Completed an intensive practical training program in various departments, including phlebotomy, biochemistry, immunology, and microbiology.
Developed foundational skills in sample collection, analysis, and lab procedures during the training program.