Medha Sonavane
Reading
Summary
An ambitious Biotechnology Graduate (Pursuing PhD) with 7+ years of Research experience in the field of biotechnology. A self-initiator who thrives off positive results whilst continuously seeking learning opportunities with a growth mindset. I can comprehensively combine academic knowledge with practical experience to provide solution-oriented research. Over a period, Skills gathered include and not limited to various molecular biology techniques, Protein Purification, in Vitro Characterisation techniques, development of Detection and Diagnostic Tests, development of Point-of-Care and Medical Device, Microscopy, and Image analysis. Extensive experience in in-Vivo studies, animal handling, different routes of injections and dosing, dissection, and tissue processing and cryo-sectioning. I have hands on experience in Cell culture and validity assays. I hold a Personal license for laboratory animal procedures (mouse) from home office UK.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Student
University Of Reading
09.2018 - Current
- I recently successfully defended my PhD thesis on “Novel therapeutic techniques for snake venom induced muscle damage” in field of Medical Biotechnology, Toxinology and Regenerative Medicine, Under guidance from Prof Sakthivel Vaiyapuri (University of Reading) my work involves,
- Working with animal models to examine skeletal muscle and their regeneration post snake venom-induced muscle damage
- I have gained excellent hands-on experience in different modes of injections, dissections, and tissue analysis by histology and immunohistochemistry involving and not limited to, ECM markers, regenerative markers, and immune response
- Flowcytometry
- Aggregometry, and ROTAM techniques during this project
- Cell culture works includes human and mouse skeletal muscle cell lines
- Cell viability assays, cytotoxicity assays, fusion, and atrophy assays on human and murine cell lines
- Writing scientific manuscripts, editing and proofreading scientific documents
- Developing material for informative scientific documents for general public knowledge
Entrepreneur/Co-founder
Oxolotal Biotech Pvt
01.2015 - 07.2018
- As a Co-founder of Oxolotal Biotechnologies, I worked on conceptualising innovative ideas and developing them into new products ( Sold to a biotech company in 2018)
- Our motto was to bring research from ‘Bench to the Bedside’ through translational research
- During the time, worked with various Doctors in the field to understand the process of Patient Treatment
- While doing surveys in person, I was able to gain the picture of reality in case of snakebite envenomation and issues with detection, I was able to translate that information to build my product
- The gathered informative data and analysis helped me derive a requirement and need of
- Innovation in field of Envenomation Detection
- Working with Third Parties and interdisciplinary teams I was able to get the best deal in the industry suitable for the developing product, while keeping cost to minimum
- Gained practical experience in concept development from prototype to final product as well as experience in licensing and patenting of technologies
- Subsequently registering all three patents and fulfilling the requirements in stipulated timeframe
- With my research work in immunoassay, I have registered three Patents and Trademarks which were duly granted and validated in March’23
- Trademark – Diagnom.
- Patents -MUM/2015 – One Step Rapid Snake Envenomation Detection Kit MUM/2015 – A Vertical Flow Immunoassay Device for Detection of Snake Envenomation MUM/, Snake Envenomation Detection and Differentiation Kit
Senior Research Fellow
ACTREC
09.2014 - 03.2015
- As a senior research fellow, I worked on Non-invasive mutation analysis from circulating tumour DNA in lung cancer patients in the Oncology department under the supervision of Dr Basak
- I was responsible for the sample processing, analysis, and record-keeping of all the study patients
- The project included the following:
- Nucleic acid extraction from Blood samples
- Agarose gel electrophoresis
- Multiplex PCR
- Single-molecule PCR (Emulsion PCR)
- Flow cytometry analysis
Molecular Biologist
NanoSniff Technologies Pvt. Ltd at IIT
03.2013 - 08.2014
- I worked on developing biosensors/Bioassay for cardiac bio as a point-of-care device
- As a sole biologist on the team of engineers, working with an interdisciplinary team was a great experience
- Profile included:
- Handling instruments like Fluorescent Microscopy, FTIR, and Contact angle
- Research and development of bio-MEM-based (microfabricated structure) based Bioassay for cardiac biomarkers
- Research on new and immerging technologies and competitor companies.
Junior Research Fellow
ACTREC
09.2010 - 01.2013
- Worked on the topic of “Evaluation of various molecular prognostic markers and minimal residual disease (MRD) to potentiate therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia patients, A two-step molecular-clinical investigation
- I conducted all the tasks under the guidance of Dr S
- Hassan and Dr N
- Khattry at ACTREC
- Tata Memorial Centre
- In this role
- I Established a molecular biology lab and was leading part of setting up protocols and laboratory procedures
- I interacted with patients to undertake their consent
- I managed over 150 patient samples, whilst keeping scientific records
- Everyday work involved nucleic acid exactions
- Conducting conventional PCR, RT PCR, and real-time PCR.
Trainee
ACTREC
08.2011 - 01.2012
- Under the guidance of Dr Ashok Varma, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, on protein expression, purification, and characterization
- Gained experience working in the structural biology department
- Which included:
- Cloning
- Expression of Mammalian Proteins in Bacterial Systems
- Isolation, purification, and characterization of protein by different chromatography techniques:
- Affinity chromatography, Ion-exchange chromatography FPLC
Education
Ph.D. - Toxinilogy And Regenerative Medicine
University Of Reading, School of Pharmacy
Reading, UK07.2024
Master of Science - Medical Biotechnology
MGM School of Biomedical Sciences
Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai, India07.2011
PG Diploma - Clinical Research
Orange Life Sciences
Pune, India06.2009
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Pune University
Pune, Maharahtra06.2008
Skills
- Technical and scientific Communications
- Method validation
- Laboratory animal experiment
- Molecular biology
- Clinical Research
- Product development
- Microscopy
- Cellular assay
- Toxicology
- GLP, GMP, QC, QA Assay development
Achivements and Publications
- Researched, Developed and Registered 3 Patents in field of Medical Biotechnology
- Intramuscular Bleeding and Formation of Microthrombi during Skeletal Muscle Damage Cause d by a Snake Venom Metalloprotease and a Cardiotoxin - Toxins; 28 August 2023
- Peripheral Arterial Thrombosis following Russell’s Viper Bites - TH Open; 17 June 2023
- Repurposing Cancer Drugs Batimastat and Marimastat to Inhibit the Activity of a Group I Metalloprotease from the Venom of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox
Toxins; 9 May 2020
Timeline
PhD Student
University Of Reading
09.2018 - Current
Entrepreneur/Co-founder
Oxolotal Biotech Pvt
01.2015 - 07.2018
Senior Research Fellow
ACTREC
09.2014 - 03.2015
Molecular Biologist
NanoSniff Technologies Pvt. Ltd at IIT
03.2013 - 08.2014
Trainee
ACTREC
08.2011 - 01.2012
Junior Research Fellow
ACTREC
09.2010 - 01.2013
Ph.D. - Toxinilogy And Regenerative Medicine
University Of Reading, School of Pharmacy
Master of Science - Medical Biotechnology
MGM School of Biomedical Sciences
PG Diploma - Clinical Research
Orange Life Sciences
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Pune University
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