Graduate Research Assistant
Comparative Endocrine Laboratory | Aug '19 to May '23
I worked on research that focused on the effects of obesity and androgen steroidogenesis in the theca interna and adrenal cortical cells in the obese female nulliparous Ossabaw minipigs.
I worked on the ELISA experimentation and quantified androgens (androstenedione and testosterone), progesterone, estrogens (estradiol), and glucocorticoids (corticoids) in both theca and adrenal serum samples. I also gained a hands-on experience on DNA and RNA extractions using RNeasy mini and micro QIAGEN kits for the theca and adrenal cell culture samples. As a result, I performed the real-time PCR to study the gene expression for each gene after completing the reps for cDNA synthesis (revere transcription) to produce a complementary DNA from the extracted RNA. I also performed steroid extractions and LC-MS/MS experiments.
Simultaneously, I trained multiple undergraduate students on various experimentational skills like RNA extractions, cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR, serum, & media extractions using a radioactive tracer, ELISA. I tried guiding them understand the experimental design, the significance and principle of the experiment being performed. I would also analyze the data, run statistical tests using SPSS and Program R statistical software, and determine the conclusion.
I was solely responsible to maintain the cleanliness, discipline, neatness, and regularity in the lab rooms, apart from planning and organizing the research work and discussing it with my supervisor, Dr. Newell.
OPERATIONAL EXECUTIVE
Vidyasagar Biomedica | May '17 to Feb '18
I am highly organized with time and data management. I love to prioritize my tasks and act accordingly. All these qualities helped me to excel as an Operational Executive and enjoyed working with the Head Office team and with other teams at several VB franchisee.
Following were my few vital responsibilities:
- Oversaw communication between the head office and seven franchises across India
- Resolved academic irregularities at operational level
- Acted as a liaison between operations, faculty, and students
- Effectively cooperate with colleagues to ensure goals and targets were met
- Monitoring on the syllabus completion and coordinating with the faculty
- Deals with complaints and queries
- Tracking fees record and coordinating with Accounts department
- Reminder calls to faculty for their lectures, and scheduling the timetable
- Follow-up calls with the students, and other vendors
- New and unique ideas for the overall development and improvement of the academics
- Acting as a bridge between head office and other franchisee
Every day, there would be a new challenge to tackle and resolve. It was a fun-learning experience and truly great to work with so many people daily. In my tenure at VB, I was able to develop my critical and logical thinking skills, to deal with people from different designations and to think on one's feet. I had a great experience of sharpening my organizational and planning skill sets.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Center | Jul '16 to Jan '17
I completed an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Research after completing my masters in Zoology with a major in Endocrinology and worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator for Dr. Sharmila Patil at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital through Parshwa Life Sciences to pursue real-time experience while studying my course work for Clinical Research. I worked on phase III and phase IV for multiple clinical trials. The end goal of each of those was to study the effects of the drugs on human subjects.
I take pride in the fact that I played a key role in multiple clinical trials, and we were successfully able to accomplish phase III. My contribution has a direct impact in the decision to introduce those specific drugs in the market and could potentially benefit the lives of many.
I plan to pursue further research and I believe that this experience has made me a better researcher. I now understand the dynamics of a time bound research project where getting results in stipulated time is vital. I developed an eye for detail (having read tons of documentation!). I learnt the importance of collaboration by working with CRCs and other researchers from various teams. I also learnt persistence and patience having dealt with more than 200 patients. This experience has added to my motivation and enthusiasm to be a full-time researcher.
