Senior Scientist
Upkara, Inc
I did PhD research work in the broad area of nano-oncology. In my doctoral degree duration, I have been trained to formulate polymeric nanoparticles for effective delivery of anti-cancer drugs. In my degree duration I participated in 8 national workshops to improve my skills in cell culture, molecular biology techniques, nanoparticles formulation and characterization. In my first postdoctoral training in South Korea, I formulated and evaluated specific pancreatic cancer cells that recognize RNA aptamer surface functionalized polymeric nanoparticles loaded with model cancer drugs for targeted anti-cancer therapy. After joining as a postdoctoral trainee in the Food Animal Health Research Program at The Ohio State University, started working on vaccine delivery for infectious zoonotic diseases. I formulated both positive (Chitosan) and negatively charged (PLGA and polyanhydride) nanovaccine having Salmonella and Influenza antigen for poultry and swine zoonotic diseases, respectively. Resulted in numerous first author publications and 4 filled non- provisional US patents. Based on my nanovaccine research work, I got twice the best poster award, travel award and best postdoctoral fellow award. With the Co-IP status awarded an OSU Innovation Accelerator award and I-Corps@Ohio research grant. At present, leading a biology team and working as a Senior Formulation Scientist at Upkara,Inc.