Ph.D., The University of Akron, Akron, USA.

Dissertation: The influence of microenvironmental cues on stem cell fate

M.S., King's College, London, UK.

Thesis: The role of A-kinase anchoring proteins in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

B.E., The University of Mumbai, Mumbai, IN.

Project: Fabricated an eye vein biometric locker

Scientist II

GC Therapeutics, Cambridge MA | Jul 2022 - Present

Scientist I

GC Therapeutics, Cambridge MA | Jan 2022 - Jul 2022

• Design and execute synthetic biology-based differentiation experiments of pluripotent stem cells.

• Optimize, refine and scale differentiation protocols for candidate cell therapeutic products.

• Analyze differentiated cell products and establish QC metrics.

• Culture iPSC lines for maintenance and analysis (e.g. cell culture, transfection, preparation of media, passaging, cryopreservation).

• Perform cell type differentiation, characterization and experimental endpoint analysis including flow cytometry and microscopy/ICC.

• Responsible for experimental design, data generation, analysis, and communication of results to supervisor, and team members.

• Provide scientific and technical supervision to junior staff or contract research organizations (CRO) for defined projects.

• Maintain a detailed electronic laboratory journal, summarize results and create presentations for internal group meetings.

• Work with other members of the research team and within GCTx to accomplish company goals.

Post-doctoral Researcher

Northeastern University, Boston MA | Sept - Dec 2021

• Investigated the use of transcorneal electrical stimulation in an in vivo mouse model to optimize stimulation efficacy in reducing glaucoma-induced visual degeneration.

• Assisted graduate students with their projects investigating the effects of in vitro and in vivo microenvironments on neural response.

Graduate Intern

STERIS Endoscopy, Mentor OH | Jan - Jun 2021

• Established an in-house synthetic colon mimetic model and facilitated a collaboration between STERIS and an external organization to further develop the tissue model for marketing, R&D, and engineering use.

• Independently drafting a testing plan to evaluate the effect of material changes to commercially available endoscopic devices in accordance with FDA, NAMSA, and ISO guidelines.

Ph.D. Candidate / Graduate Research Assistant

The University of Akron, Akron OH | 2016 - 2021 | Primary roles and projects highlighted below

• Project 1: Investigate the influence of topographical cues to drive neural differentiation.

  • Successfully maintained >98% pluripotency levels of mouse embryonic stem cells on non-feeder layered cultures.

  • Pluripotent mESCs were used for investigating the influence of topographical cues to drive neurogenesis and gliogenesis. Topographical cues such as peptide functionalization and nanofiber orientation were investigated.

  • The resulting neurogenesis and gliogenesis levels were compared via gene and protein expression. Neurogenesis was determined by the expression of TUBB3+, MAP2+, and GAP43+ labels; gliogenesis was determined by the expression of GFAP+ and OLIGO+ labels.

  • Our findings highlighted the larger role played by bioactive cues, over nanofiber orientation, in driving neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

  • In addition, we were also able to illustrate the dual role of GFAP+ as a neural precursor and an early astrocyte marker.

• Project 2: Investigate the influence of a synthetic double peptide microenvironment on neural stem cell fate.

  • Successfully maintained >95% multipotency levels of human induced pluripotent neural stem cells (hiNSCs).

  • An optimal FGF peptide concentration was found to allow for FGF2 substitution in hiNSC cultures. Under normal culture conditions, hiNSCs require whole protein fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) to maintain multipotency. Here, I tested hiNSC cultures when whole protein FGF2 was substituted with a synthetic FGF peptide, at different concentrations.

  • Successfully illustrated adhesion capabilities of a synthetic laminin peptide, IKVAV, with hiNSCs. The LN peptide allowed for the substitution of Matrigel from traditional hiNSC expansion conditions.

  • Cultured hiNSCs under xeno-free and defined culture conditions. Illustrated multipotency levels of hiNSCs via protein expression when cultured under synthetic double peptide conditions.

  • Designed, conducted, and analyzed experiments to identify accurate concentration ratio of 10 gene primers to cDNA concentrations; reducing duplicate experiments carried out between projects and in the lab.

• Project 3: Investigate the influence of LN-511 functionalized hydrogels on neural stem cell fate.

  • Successfully synthesized PEGDA and used it to fabricate hydrogels of different stiffnesses. The hydrogel stiffness was characterized by rheometry, to mimic native brain tissue characteristics.

  • Fabricated a stable hydrogel system that was able to retain proteins of interest for the study duration.

  • First to illustrate the in vitro interactions between hiNSC and a recombinant laminin isoform found within the NSC niche of the brain.

  • Investigated hiNSC population profile and mechanotransductive cues responsible for maintaining hiNSC multipotency levels.

• Published 1 co-first-author manuscript, 3 first-author manuscripts in preparation, and 8 first-author poster sessions at national-level conferences, 4 were awarded travel/supplementary funds

Research Intern

Vrije University Medical Centre, Amsterdam NL | Apr - Jul 2015

• Volunteer science judge: Served as a volunteer judge at 2019 Western Reserve District 5 Science Day, assessing various middle school science projects.

• Member of the editorial team for college magazine: responsible for artwork

• Mentored a diverse group of 5 high school students and 8 undergraduates, of which 2 are currently in med school, another working as an engineer, and another working as a researcher.