Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Awards
Publications
Teachingandtrainingexperience
Coursesandinternships
Languages
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Divya Das

Umeå

Summary

Accomplished in molecular biology and genetic manipulations, I have spearheaded critical research projects at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, enhancing our understanding of malaria. My expertise extends to managing complex laboratory operations and mentoring junior scientists, demonstrating exceptional organizational and leadership skills.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Project Assistant

Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University
Umeå
10.2023 - 09.2024
  • Maintained insectary to breed Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • Performed independent genetic manipulation experiments on Plasmodium berghei for gene function studies in both mice and mosquitoes.
  • Provided administrative support to the project team including scheduling meetings, and ordering supplies.
  • Handled inventory and procurement to streamline laboratory processes.

Lab Manager

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences
11.2020 - 05.2023
  • Maintained various mammalian cell lines, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
  • Produced Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the lab and developed an iPSC differentiation protocol to generate neurons
  • Conducted infections of neural lineage cells with HCMV to study latency establishment
  • Ensured smooth laboratory operations by scheduling staff, communicating with company representatives, ordering supplies, and maintaining security protocols and standards.

Project Associate I

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
06.2020 - 08.2020
  • Investigated autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system in Plasmodium as part of the Malaria research team.
  • Planned and executed genetic manipulation experiments on P. falciparum and P. berghei
  • Trained in and conducted COVID-19 diagnostics
  • Administered chemical inventory control and formulated manuscripts for publication.

Project Junior Research Fellow

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
02.2017 - 06.2020
  • Led Plasmodium research projects through design and construction of transfection vectors.
  • Generated knock-in/knock-out parasite for gene expression analysis.
  • Conducted in vivo experiments in mice, expressed and purified proteins, and generated antibodies
  • Trained and mentored master's and new PhD students
  • Presented research results at conferences

Trainee

Tectona Biotech Resource Centre
10.2016 - 02.2017

MSc Dissertation Fellow

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
01.2016 - 06.2016

Education

Master of Science - Biotechnology

Ravenshaw University
Odisha, India
01.2016

Bachelor of Science - Zoology (honors)

Utkal University
Odisha, India
01.2014

Skills

  • Molecular Biology: PCR, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, transfection, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, RNA isolation, qRT-PCR
  • Proteomics: Recombinant protein production, 2D-PAGE, FPLC, mass spectrometry
  • Bioinformatics: Sequence analysis (BLAST, PlasmoDB, Clustal Omega), data visualization (GraphPad Prism)
  • Microscopy: Live-cell imaging, light, and confocal microscopy
  • Cell and Microbial Culture: Maintenance of mammalian, bacterial, yeast, and malaria parasite cultures
  • Animal Handling: Expertise in mouse models for malaria research, including in vivo experiments
  • Laboratory Operations: Equipment maintenance, Biosafety Level II/III practices, staff training

Languages

  • English, written and spoken, TOEFL iBT, 88/120, 2018
  • Swedish, basic written and spoken, Actively learning

Awards

  • 'Best Poster', 30th NCP-GSME meeting, 2019, JNU, New Delhi
  • Qualified GATE- Biotechnology, 2016, All India Rank 910
  • Merit Scholarship during M.Sc., 2014-2016, Govt. of Odisha, India

Publications

  • Plasmodium falciparum contains functional SCF and CRL4 ubiquitin E3 ligases, and CRL4 is critical for cell division and membrane integrity., Rizvi, Z., Reddy, G. S., Gorde, S. M., Pundir, P., Das, D., & Sijwali, P. S., PLoS pathogens, 20, 2, e1012045, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012045, 2024
  • Plasmodium falciparum Atg18 localizes to the food vacuole via interaction with the multi-drug resistance protein 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate., Sudhakar, R., Das, D., Thanumalayan, S., Gorde, S., & Sijwali, P. S., The Biochemical journal, 478, 9, 1705-1732, https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20210001, 2021
  • Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum NEDD8 and identification of cullins as its substrates., Bhattacharjee, M., Adhikari, N., Sudhakar, R., Rizvi, Z., Das, D., Palanimurugan, R., & Sijwali, P. S., Scientific reports, 10, 1, 20220, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77001-5, 2020

Teachingandtrainingexperience

  • Dissertation Projects, 6 months, 2
  • Summer Training, 2 months, 1
  • Medical Students Observer Program, 2 weeks, 2
  • Trained multiple research scholars to safely isolate and process Viral RNA from patient samples for RT-PCR-based COVID-19 diagnosis during the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in India., March-May 2020

Coursesandinternships

RIS Inspire Programme at 'RIS FALL SCHOOL IN TARGETED NUTRITION', 10/22/21, 11/08/21

Languages

English
First Language
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Swedish
Elementary (A2)
A2

Accomplishments

  • Best Poster award at 30th NCP-GSME meeting, 2019, JNU, New Delhi.
  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) - Biotechnology, 2016 (All India Rank 910)
  • Merit Scholarship, Master of Science (M.Sc.), Government of Odisha, India (2014-2016)

Timeline

Project Assistant

Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University
10.2023 - 09.2024

Lab Manager

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences
11.2020 - 05.2023

Project Associate I

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
06.2020 - 08.2020

Project Junior Research Fellow

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
02.2017 - 06.2020

Trainee

Tectona Biotech Resource Centre
10.2016 - 02.2017

MSc Dissertation Fellow

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
01.2016 - 06.2016

Master of Science - Biotechnology

Ravenshaw University

Bachelor of Science - Zoology (honors)

Utkal University
Divya Das