Microbiology and Immunology

Expertise

• An accomplished Ph.D. with expertise in immunology, microbiology, cell Biology, molecular biology, microbiology flow and a proven background in biomedical research work.
• Cytometry.
• Immunoassays.
• Cell-based oncogenic assays.
• Recombinant DNA technology.
• SiRNA technology.
• Nucleic acids and blotting technology.
• Protein and fusion protein purification.
• Monoclonal antibody technology.
• Protein labeling technology.
• Confocal microscopy.
• Diagnostic microbiology.
• Cell culture and cell line development.
• Virology.
• Mouse model studies in autoimmune diseases and immunotherapy.

Experience

Research

St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, FL, Scientist, 2009 - Present

• Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in the area of acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

University of Illinois College, Research Specialist, 2008 - 2009

• Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, of Medicine, Illinois

University of Alabama School of Medicine, Post-Doctoral Researcher, 2006 - 2008

• Department of Hematology/Oncology

Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, Post-Doctoral Research, 2002 - 2005

• Department of Immunology in area of autoimmunity studying the mechanisms of an altered peptide ligand in down regulating symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.
• Department of Molecular Biology, investigating the mechanisms of Dengue Virus entry.

University of Madras, India, 2000 - 2002

• Lecturer and Head, Department of Microbiology, courses taught:
• Immunology, Bacteriology.
• Molecular Biology for Masters Students.

Honors & Publications

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• American Association for Advancement of Sciences
• American Association of Neurology
• American Association of Immunologists
• Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

Awards

• Best Post-Doctoral Research Award, University of Alabama School of Medicine.
• Career Enhancement Award, UAB.
• Travel award for the BSI (British Society of Immunology) conference "Therapeutic Tolerance : Myth or Reality," held at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
• Young Scientist Award, 3rd International Symposium on Recent Trends in Life Sciences, Bangalore, India.
• Junior Research Fellowship and Senior Research Fellowship by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.

Publications

• Reviewed manuscripts in the area of immunotherapy and immune disorders.
• Editor Board member and Reviewer for:
  • Journal of Medical Sciences
  • International Journal of Cancer Research
  • Trends in Medical Research
  • Research Journal of Immunology
  • Asian Journal of Biological Sciences
• Science Books and Fictions reviewer for AAAS (American Association of Advancement of Sciences).
• Guidelines reviewer for AAN (American Association of Neurology).
• Achievements include publications in top rated journals, research presentation awards, recent career enhancement.
• Presentations of research projects at various national and international seminars.

Education

• Ph.D. Microbiology and Immunology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
• M.Sc. Applied Microbiology, University of Madras, India
• B.Sc. Food Science, University of Madras, India