Research Experience

Model GPCR.

HSV1-GPCR Chip Design

High-Throughput investigation of GPCR function

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Chemistry-Biology Interface Program
  • Dates: Aug 2013 – Dec 2016

The goal of this project is to use innovative and advanced molecular biology tools for high-throughput expression of transmembrane proteins (such as GPCRs and RTKs) on the viral envelope of herpes virions and to use these viral stocks for the development of a unique microarray expressing a few thousand proteins of both known and unknown function, which can be probed for function and activity.


A 3D reconstruction of beta-galactosidase.

Electron Microscopy

High resolution 3D structural investigation

  • Advisor: Dr. Sriram Subramaniam
  • National Cancer Institute
  • Laboratory of Cell Biology
  • Dates: Sep 2012 – Sep 2013

During this fellowship, I gained experience with cryoelectron tomography as a method for macromolecular structural determination, including computational methods for 3D data analysis. I was also an operator of the lab's experimental focused ion-beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM), which can take 3D images of cells at sub-5 nm resolutions.


Part of a diagram showing AMPK interactions.

Pharmacology

Cell signaling in pancreatic islet cells

  • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Graduate School of Biomedical Science
  • Dates: April – August 2011

My aim was to elucidate the nature of interaction between AMP Kinase (AMPK) and ERK MAP Kinases in mouse pancreatic α and β islet cells and the effect this interaction has on the secretion of glucagon and insulin, hormones that regulate energy usage throughout the body.


Picture of Pinaki and a gallium nitride structure.

Computational Chemistry

Exploration of semiconductor nanoclusters

  • Advisor: Dr. Peter Kroll
  • University of Texas at Arlington
  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Dates: April 2009 – Aug 2012

Gallium nitride is a semiconductor used in optoelectronic devices such as blue lasers. Like many substances, GaN exhibits interesting optical and electronic properties in the nanoscale. The goal of my project was to computationally characterize GaN nanoclusters embedded in silica.


Picture of a light brown disc

Biomedical

Indo-US Joint Center for Human Health Care

  • Advisor: Bikramjit Basu
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (India)
  • Dates: 2009 – 2010

The last few decades have witnessed significant research efforts in scientific community to integrate the concepts of materials science and biological sciences in order to develop biomaterials for orthopedic applications. We set out to characterize a novel HDPE-alumina-HAp composite system. This work was published in a peer-reviewed journal.