Highlights:

Skills:Matlab, Python, Cell Culture, Microscopy, Image Processing in Matlab, COMSOL, 2D/3D CAD, SolidWorks, Bacteria Culture, Cryopreservation, Point of care diagnostics, Microfluidics, Lab Chip Devices, MEMS/NEMS, Nanofabrication, Magnet Design and Analysis

Postdoctoral Research Associate 01/01/2020 - 04/03/2021
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL United States
Industry: Academic University
* Research focus on Colloidal particle manipulation using electromagnetic fields, bacteria, and micro/nano magnetic particle manipulation with precise control for targeted therapeutics.
• Cultured E. Coli bacteria tagged with magnetic beads and integrated electromagnetic imaging system to control the movement of bacteria in various polymer viscous media. Precise control of bacteria movement provides valuable information regarding navigating bacteria to the desired locations in the human body for targeted cargo delivery. • Manipulated bacterial flagella tagged with avidin-biotin magnetic coated beads using electromagnetic fields. Designed an electromagnet coil system and calibrated the magnetic fields. Measured magnetic fields experimentally and numerically. • Microscopy imaging, and cell culture of mammalian secondary cell lines. Gained research work experience in handling confocal, epifluorescent, darkfield, phase-contrast microscopy. Experience gained in handing Nikon inverted microscope system. Performed design of experiments (DOE) to experiment for cell and bacteria assays. • Isolated mitochondria from endothelial and breast cancer cells to investigate the response to electromagnetic fields. • 3D bio-printed breast cancer cells in bioinks, tested the viability by injecting bacterial cells to investigate host-pathogen interactions. • Worked on managing the lab logistics and gained experience in maintaining BSL-2 lab environments. Accumulated experience in working with biohazard. • Guided 4-Ph.D students, 3-Master, and several undergraduate students in lab management and research. Mentored K-12 high school students on bacterial motility studies. • Collaborated with researchers to work on imaging virus and cell imaging using microscopy and advanced imaging techniques.--
Postdoctoral Research Associate 04/01/2016 - 11/01/2019
Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD United States
Industry: Academic, University
* Research focuses on magnetic nanoparticle manipulation for targeted drug delivery applications such as the delivery of drugs through the skin and ear tympanic and inner membranes.
• Research summary: • Designed next-generation disc magnets to push/pull magnetic nanoparticles with drug into human cochlea for efficient targeted therapeutics. Provided fundamental framework in magnet design and optimized magnetic force applied on magnetizable objects such as steel ball or thumb pin to achieve push force on the magnetic nanoparticle. Analyzed and experimented with push/pull force on magnetic nanoparticles delivered into eye cornea layers. • We investigated delivering magnetic nanoparticles through tissue barriers. For this purpose, I obtained proficiency in tissue and gel (agarose and gel) culture. • Innovation summary: • We designed a next-generation combination-disc magnet. We innovated a simple system to find the disc magnet force applied on magnetizable objects. 3D printed magnetic holder to place disc magnet in the needed position. Design and perform validation studies on novel magnets using DOE methodologies. • We developed a simple lab on a chip device to manipulate magnetic nanoparticles using innovative neodymium disc magnets and permanent rare earth magnets. Quantified nanoparticle motion in the chip using a custom-built image processing algorithm. Employed high-resolution epifluorescence inverted and an upright microscope to detect magnetic nanoparticles aggregate motion under calibrated magnetic field. Collected and analyzed particle motion data using statistical techniques. • Mentor/ teaching summary: • Guided 2-undergraduate and 1-graduate student relating to magnetic nanoparticle manipulation studies. • Mentored 3 undergraduate students for “Terps in space” program competition. We innovated a system to create sodium alginate microspheres in a silicone tube filled with calcium chloride. These spheres housed fertilizable egg cells and aid in organism growth. We investigated the sphere behavior along with organism growth habits in microgravity. • Impact: submitted a provisional patent for next-generation magnets, two first-author publications under progress, Co-authored work published in the journal of hearing. • Experience gained: microchip for magnetic nanoparticle handling, a device to measure the magnetic force applied on objects, nanodrop, statistical analysis, image processing, tissue, and gel culture, mentoring students.--
Postdoctoral Research Fellow 11/2014 - 10/2015
Czech Technical University, Prague, Praha Czech Republic
Industry: Academic, University
* Research focus on automation of dielectrophoresis-based cell manipulation and commercialization of biochip is under progress and control system integration.
Identification methods to automate cell rotation and dielectrophoresis-based particle manipulation strategies. Cell torque rotation transfer function is determined, and the numerical algorithm was used to estimate hidden parameters for system automation. Developed an advanced algorithm in Matlab for an automated system to determine dielectric properties and a system identification approach to detect and estimate the transfer function of electrorotation torque on beads and cells. Employed system identification for automation of cell movement tracking and rotation under dielectric fields. Apart from these, I evaluated invention disclosures, reviewed patent literature, and wrote reports to assess inventions’ patentability and commercialization potential.--
Part time PhD Research and Teaching Assistant 05/2010 - 05/2014
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand
Industry: Academic, University
* Research focus on biochips for automation of mammalian cloning process, with the technology used in biological labs for cell rotation. • Research summary: designed microfluidic devices with chemical and electrical components to rotate and manipulate bovine cells/oocytes; focused on MEMS device design, modeling, and characterization; 5-year PC-2 cleanroom fabrication and testing experience; strong working knowledge of cell biology and assays.
• Impact: 2 first-author publications, 7-8 conference presentations. • Lab skills: microfluidic device and cell handling, mammalian cell culture, cell separation, rotation and capture techniques, electronic circuitry and equipment, immunological chemistry, fluorescence microscopy. • Fab skills: Micro-milling, contact and lift-off photolithography, thin-film deposition (RF-sputter, e-beam evaporation), dry and wet etching (metal, asher, RIE), metrology (SEM, AFM, profile-meter), wafer cleaning (piranha), wafer bonding and dicing, SU-8 and PDMS coating, molding work on glass. • Computer skills: COMSOL (FEA), Quick field, MATLAB, Uni-graphics, LabVIEW, L-Edit CAD Editor, SolidWorks, SigmaPlot, Mathematica, Maple, C, C++, PI/SQL. • Office and web: MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows XP, Vista, Dream weaver, Adobe Photoshop. • Transferable skills: ? Entrepreneurial: proposed original research, acquired own funding through UC premium postdoctoral research fellowship, and was the postgraduate student representative for Mechanical Engineering Department at UC, NZ. ? Leadership: selected for aspiring leadership conference held at Wellington, NZ in 2012, trained and supervised two junior lab members on lab protocols, led journal club discussions, also chosen as vice president for university student housing at Sonoda campus living apartments. ? Communication: delivered 10+ research presentations, peer-reviewed two research papers for journals. ? Analytic: independently tested hypotheses, designed experiments, and analyzed data. ? Organization: scheduled monthly lab cleanups, managed equipment, and inventory, ordered supplies. ? Teamwork: collaborated with graduate students and clinicians for publications and management. • Lectured on control system and solid works lab for 1st and 2nd year Bachelor of Engineering Students in UC. • Lectured on course materials, organized, and led lab sessions, demonstrated how to write lab reports, conducted office hours, and graded homework assignments and lab reports for a class of more than 120 students. • Full-time researcher on AC electric field-induced dipole-based 3D cell rotation. Gained in-depth experience working on micro-fabrication, microparticle, and cell handling.--
Powertrain Design Engineer 01/2009 - 05/2010
General Motors, Bangaluru, Karnataka India
Industry: Automobile
• Carried out GD&T for engineering design. Gained in-depth experience in Unigraphics and Teamcenter management. • Completed advanced hybrid vehicle training and benchmarking sessions.
NA--

SDM College of Engineering and Technology (VTU), Karnataka, India 01/2001 - 08/2005
Dharwad, KA, India
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major:Mechanical Engineeing
Spec: Controls

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