Professional Development

Post-doc Training

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Division of Regenerative Medicine), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA Successfully isolated and maintained primary cells (mouse bone marrow-derived osteoblast and macrophages). Established a unique homeostatic mechanism to initiate bone repair during the bone insult by analyzing plasma level CTx, P1NP, FGF-23, and PTH (1–84) using respective ELISA assay, histomorphometry, fluorescent analysis by FACS, gene expression analysis by qPCR, and IF staining of mouse bone tissue. (07/2015 - 02/2017)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology), Augusta University, Augusta, GA Prepared RNA for sequencing. Successfully established FISH (Fluorescent in situ hybridization) technique in the lab. Identified lncRNA NEAT1 as a therapeutic target for treating vascular diseases by analyzing cell-based experiments at the molecular level (DNA, RNA, and protein), PCR/qPCR, ELISA, gene manipulation, confocal microscopy, and in vivo molecular techniques. Identified the role of Hippo signaling effectors YAP1/TEAD1 in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation. Successfully isolated and maintained primary cells (rat dorsal aortic smooth muscle cells). Constructed several plasmid-based DNA clones for luciferase reporter assay. Discovered the oncoprotein YAP as a downstream target of miR-15b/16 in VSMCs and miR-15b/16 plays a critical role in SM phenotypic modulation. Involved in Vps34 project to produce tamoxifen-inducible KO of vps34 F/F_MHC cre Tg male mice followed by histological analysis. (02/2014 - 07/2015)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Department of Pediatrics), Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN Generated a novel conditional knockout Tgfb2flox mouse and identified the role of TGFβ ligands in cardiovascular development and disease using in vitro techniques and a combinatorial mouse genetic approach. Studied the role of TGFβ ligands in cardiovascular development and disease. Collaboratively discovered an important role for transcription factor Scleraxis (Scx) in regulating proteoglycans in cardiac valve tissue and its role in influencing myxomatous pathogenesis. (03/2012 - 02/2014)