Keisha Thani
London,United Kingdom
Summary
IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science graduate from the University of Roehampton, on track for a 2:1, with proven independent research experience at dissertation level under PhD supervision. Conducted a full immunological research project investigating LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (TNF-α and IL-6) in U937 monocytic cells using ELISA, developing competency in mammalian cell culture, quantitative assay technique, experimental design, data analysis, and rigorous laboratory documentation. Motivated by a long-term goal of contributing to infectious disease research including HIV cure strategies, and deeply committed to developing technical expertise in a world-class research environment. The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences represents the ideal next step: a structured two-year programme that will build the advanced molecular and cellular biology skills including proteomics and metabolomics that form the foundation of cutting-edge biomedical discovery.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work history
Pharmacy Assistant
Hale Pharmacy
06.2023 - 06.2023
- Accurately sorted and dispensed patient medications in a fast-paced pharmacy environment.
- Maintained a clean, organised, and fully compliant working environment in line with regulatory standards.
- Restocked shelves and prepared expired drugs for return.
- Organised pharmacy storage to facilitate quick item retrieval.
- Prepared medication labels with item name and quantity.
- Labelled drugs clearly to enable safe storage and use.
- Opened incoming supplies and stocked in correct locations.
- Cleaned counters and surfaces to maintain hygienic pharmacy environments.
- Handled confidential patient information with discretion, following data protection regulations.
Pharmacy Assistant
Medicare Pharmacy
11.2022 - 11.2022
- Ensured 100% accuracy in controlled drug dispensing and prescription validation under supervision.
- Processed prescriptions and entered data in high-responsibility healthcare environment, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Maintained confidential patient records with 100% accuracy using a prescription tracking system, enhancing reliability for subsequent laboratory data management.
- Managed stock control, labelled products, and assembled medical orders, ensuring safety regulations were strictly followed.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
University of Roehampton
London 09/2023 - 06/2026
A-Levels BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma - Applied science
Westminster Kingsway College
City of London 09/2021 - 06/2023
Skills
Title: The Effect of Escherichia coli LPS on cytokine (TNF-a and IL-6) secretion in U937 cells: a time course analysis
Research Question: How does Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria induce cytokine production in U937 cells?
Conducted an independent immunological research project investigating the effect of E coli-derived
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in undifferentiated and PMA-differentiated U937 monocytic
cells across a 0-3 hour time course This was a full research workflow from hypothesis to written dissertation
Cell culture and maintenance: U937 monocytic cells cultured at 37°C in 5% CO2 in RPMI 1640 / 10% heat-inactivated FBS / 1% antibiotic-antimycotic in a Class II biosafety cabinet Strict aseptic technique
throughout Heat inactivation chosen deliberately to remove FBS complement activity that skews cytokine baselines — demonstrating understanding of how media composition affects experimental outcomes
PMA-induced differentiation: U937 monocytes differentiated into macrophage-like cells using 1µg/mL PMA for 24 hours Differentiation confirmed by light microscopy (increased adhesion, cytoplasmic granularity, morphological change) Demonstrated that media additives fundamentally reprogram cellular phenotype and downstream responses
Cell viability assessment: Trypan blue exclusion using Neubauer haemocytometer; experiments only proceeded at >95% viability (confirmed across duplicate counts) Cell count increased 18-fold from 4x105 to 72x105 over 48 hours (p
Reagent preparation: All ELISA reagents prepared from scratch — PBS-Tween wash buffer (raw materials, pH adjusted to 72), coatng solutions, blocking buffers, 7-point serial dilution standard curves, QC samples PMA and LPS dissolved in DMSO to defined stock concentrations before working dilutions Accurate weighing, dilution, labelling throughout
ELISA execution: Full sandwich ELISA for TNF-α and IL-6 using Ready-SET-GO kits (Fisher Scientific) Coating, blocking, standard/sample addition, detection antibody, HRP-avidin, TMB substrate, stop solution, absorbance at 450nm by microplate reader All steps per manufacturer's SOP with strict timing and temperature
control
Statistical analysis: GraphPad Prism v11 Unpaired t-test (Welch's correction) for 0 vs 24h PMA comparison; one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's multiple comparisons for time course within groups; two-way ANOVA with Sidak's correction for differentiated vs undifferentiated comparison Deliberate analytical choices explained and justified in dissertation
Key findings: PMA differentiation amplified TNF-α response 684-fold relative to undifferentiated cells (673 vs 98 pg/mL at 3 hours, p < 00001 Demonstrating that cellular state is a crucial determinant of innate immune activation magnitude
Documentation and compliance: Full Ethics Form and Risk Assessment completed and filed COSHH compliance throughout — biological waste (human-derived cells), chemical waste (DMSO, HCl, TMB, LPS, PMA), sharps handling Contemporaneous data recording, 10 results tables, 7 figures, full raw data appendices 8,773-word written scientific report produced
Laboratory skills
- Mammalian Cell Culture: U937 monocytic cells (37°C, 5% CO2, RPMI/FBS); PMA-induced differentiation; incubator operation and humidity maintenance; contamination monitoring via phenol red pH indicator; biological safety cabinet operation
- Quantitative Assay Techniques: Full sandwich ELISA (TNF-alpha and IL-6 cytokine quantification); clinical biochemistry assays (creatinine in urine); spectrophotometry; standard curve preparation and interpolation; gel electrophoresis
- Cell Viability & Counting: Trypan blue exclusion; Neubauer haemocytometer; light microscopy at x10, x40 magnification; duplicate counting protocols
- Sample Preparation: Biological sample processing; reagent and buffer preparation from raw materials; accurate weighing and dilutions; sterile filtration; centrifugation (500g)
- Histopathology: Tissue sample preparation and processing; staining; microscopic analysis — directly relevant to proteomics/metabolomics sample preparation workflows
- Statistical Analysis: GraphPad Prism v11 — unpaired t-test (Welch's correction), one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's post-hoc, two-way ANOVA with Sidak's correction; p-value interpretation; data visualisation
- Documentation & GLP: Contemporaneous laboratory records; SOP adherence; COSHH compliance; risk assessment; ethics documentation; biological and chemical waste management; Microsoft Office Suite; data entry and management
- Microbiology: Microbiological experimental techniques; aseptic sample handling; contamination prevention and control; biological containment protocols.
How I meet the person specifications:
- BSc Biological Science, 2:1 or above, awarded 2023 or later: IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical
Science, University of Roehampton, on track for 2:1, graduating 2026.
- Previous experience in a laboratory research environment: Independent dissertation research project
(2025-2026) under PhD supervision — U937 cell culture, PMA-induced differentiation, LPS stimulation, ELISA cytokine quantification, statistical analysis. Plus three years of laboratory practicals across microbiology,
histopathology, molecular biology, and clinical biochemistry.
- Knowledge of biology, computing, and standard molecular/cellular techniques: ELISA, mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, gel electrophoresis, histopathology, clinical biochemistry assays, microscopy, PCR principles, trypan blue cell viability. GraphPad Prism v11 (ANOVA, t-tests), Microsoft Office Suite.
- Knowledge of common software tools: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; GraphPad Prism v11 for statistical analysis (unpaired t-test with Welch's correction, one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's correction, two-way ANOVA with Sidak's correction); laboratory data management throughout degree.
- Strong interest in medical, health, and experimental research: Long-term goal is to contribute to HIV cure research through a Masters in Medical and Molecular Virology followed by a PhD. This programme is a deliberate, considered step in a defined scientific career trajectory.
- Strong interest in research fields related to the hosting facility: Proteomics and metabolomics are directly relevant to HIV pathogenesis research — protein-level analysis of host-virus interactions and metabolic reprogramming in infected macrophages. Genuine scientific motivation to develop expertise in these disciplines.
Accomplishments
- Obtained a D*DD (equivalent to A*AA in A levels) in level 3 applied science
- Independently executed a dissertation-level immunology research project using ELISA.
- Improved workflow efficiency and stock organisation at Medicare Pharmacy, reducing retrieval times and minimising out-of-stock incidents.
- Successfully lead my group to achieve a grade 80% in a project for coeliac disease
Timeline
Pharmacy Assistant
Hale Pharmacy
06.2023 - 06.2023
Pharmacy Assistant
Medicare Pharmacy
11.2022 - 11.2022
A-Levels BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma - Applied science
Westminster Kingsway College
09/2021 - 06/2023
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
University of Roehampton
09/2023 - 06/2026