Nairita has diverse multi-disciplinary research expertise in the field of life sciences, ranging from making a mouse model using CRISPR/CAS9 technology to characterizing bacterial enzyme kinetics. Currently, she is involved in studying the role of an uncharacterized mitochondrial protein in fatty liver disease. Her involvement with clinical research for neurodegenerative diseases drives her passion for translating research into patient care. With that goal, she has learned how to evaluate the commercial potential of technology by working as a management consultant at Fourth River Solutions. Further, she joined the business development team of the same organization, to better understand how to generate leads and establish relationships with clients. She is also actively involved in the leadership of the Pittsburgh chapter of Women in Bio and is responsible for communications on social media platforms and engages with its partners and sponsors.
Education
Ph.D. Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2015
M.Sc. Biotechnology, University of Pune, 2010
Research Experience
Postdoctoral associate, University of Pittsburgh
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Duncan
Developed a mouse model utilizing CRISPR/CAS9 technology for an uncharacterized mitochondrial protein and study its role in fatty liver metabolism.
Studied how liver polyploidy affects liver regeneration.
Doctoral candidate, University of Kansas Medical Center
Supervisor: Dr. Russell Swerdlow
Innovated and established 3 assays - HPLC-MS-, PCR- and Immunoprecipitation-based assays utilizing molecular biology-based tools to study mitochondrial DNA methylation and determine the effects of mitochondrial DNA methylation on bioenergetics of neuronal cell lines.
Doctoral candidate, University of Kansas Medical Center
Supervisor: Soumen Paul
Epigenetic regulation of VEGF receptors during different stages of vascular differentiation of embryonic stem cells
Master’s student, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) Pune, India
Supervisor: Dr. Padma Shastry
Effect of fibronectin and its receptors (intergrin subunits (α5 and β1)) on invasiveness and viability of LN-18 glioma after tamoxifen treatment
Master’s student, University of Pune, India
Supervisor: Dr. Smita Zinjarde
Characterization of a dehalogenase from a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by gas chromatography, FAS-MTC assay and Hardman-Slater Asay treatment
Doctoral candidate, University of Kansas Medical Center
Supervisor: Dr. Russell Swerdlow
Evaluated the effects of a Phase 2a drug for treating neurodegenerative diseases
New York University
Collaborator: Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Evaluation of platelet mitochondrial function by assaying activity of complex I and Complex IV in children of Alzheimer’s disease patients
PubMed
Commercial Translation Experience
Fourth River Solutions
Business Development Associate
Assisted in drafting scopes of consulting engagements and generated leads to help establish business relationships between Fourth River Solutions and clients
Consultant
Conducted market research of global and the US market (market value, segmentation, CAGR), analyzing competitive and regulatory landscape, performing SWOT analysis and determine profitable exit strategy. Thus, synthesized value-added proposition for customers and stakeholders. Markets studied include ECG market, liposomal formulation of tacrolimus, diabetic patients, Electronic Health Record market