DEEPIKA SHARMA
Bengaluru
Summary
Innovative Scientist with over 9 years in immuno-oncology research and cell & gene therapy R&D. Expertise in CAR-NK cell manufacturing, primary immune cell biology, and viral vector gene delivery. Developed and standardized laboratory protocols and contributed to scientific documentation and patent support. Demonstrated ability to mentor junior team members and optimize processes for cell therapy advancement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Scientist – CGT R&D
Aurigene Oncology Limited
Bengaluru
11.2023 - Current
- Contributing in end-to-end workflow development for CAR-NK cell therapy manufacturing programs
- Optimizing primary immune cell isolation, activation and expansion parameters
- Designing and optimizing CAR transfection parameters including seeding density, MOI and transduction conditions.
- Optimized cryopreservation process to maintain post-thaw viability and functionality of CAR-NK cells.
- Optimized QC assays to establish release criteria for successful batch qualification and product acceptance.
- Contributing to raw material and reagent selection strategy for robust CAR-NK manufacturing.
- Supporting Lentiviral Vector generation workflows and titer estimation assays.
- Collaborated with process development, analytical and manufacturing teams for final workflow standardization.
- Participated in project planning sessions to align laboratory work with organizational goals, ensuring timely delivery of research outcomes.
- Evaluated emerging technologies and methodologies, driving strategic decisions that aligned research objectives with industry trends and regulatory standards.
- Reviewed scientific literature and presented findings to team, improving experimental planning.
- Conducted thorough prior art searches to inform patent strategy, contributing to more robust and defensible applications.
- Developed comprehensive IDF document for patent applications through scientific data analysis, strengthening intellectual property protection for cryopreservation media.
- Developed and optimized laboratory protocols, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency and compliance with best practices in research settings.
Senior Research Associate – Discovery Biology
Jubilant Biosys Limited
Bengaluru
12.2021 - 11.2023
- Designed experiments based on hypothesis testing approach to validate scientific theories or principles.
- Developed and validated night throughout cell-based and enzyme-based screening assays.
- Performed primary cell assays using whole blood and PBMC derived cells.
- Performed gene and protein level analysis using qPCR and Western blot.
- Executed and optimized flow cytometry experiments.
- Analyzed and interpreted client data trends to provide actionable insights, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic planning.
- Provided guidance and support to interns during their training period.
Research Associate II – Cell & Molecular Biology
Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited
Bengaluru
03.2020 - 12.2021
- Worked on immuno-oncology programs screening small. molecules using cytokine release assay, phagocytosis assay and marker modulation assay.
- Designed co-culture assays for target-ligand interaction studies
- Performed potency evaluation using proliferation assays across multiple cell lines.
- Generated target expressing cell lines via transient transfection.
- Maintained laboratory notebooks and supported documentation of experimental observations.
Senior Research Associate – Discovery Biology
Syngene International Limited
04.2017 - 03.2020
- Worked on antibody discovery programs including hybridoma generation and monoclonal antibody screening.
- Performed ADCC, CDC and ADCP co-culture assays using HTRF/TR-FRET based platform.
- Executed multicolor compensation flow cytometry experiments.
- Performed analytical assays like protein/antibody purification using affinity chromatography, biotin and fluorochrome labelling, SDS-PAGE, DOT-BLOT.
- Acquired molecular biology techniques for research applications. like RNA&DNA isolation, plasmid isolation and single B-cell gene sequencing.
Research Intern
Syngene International Limited
Bengaluru
10.2016 - 04.2017
- Underwent foundational training in mammalian cell culture techniques, including thawing, seeding, passaging, and cryopreservation of cell lines.
- Gained hands-on exposure to aseptic handling and biosafety practices for cell culture workflows.
- Assisted in routine maintenance and monitoring of adherent and suspension cell cultures.
- Supported execution of ELISA-based screening assays under supervision.
- Received training in basic antibody discovery workflows, including hybridoma process overview and screening concepts.
- Learned fundamentals of antigen preparation, immunization workflow concepts, and antibody screening strategies.
- Assisted in sample preparation, reagent preparation, and experimental setup.
- Followed laboratory SOPs, safety guidelines, and good documentation practices.
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Banasthali Vidyapith
Newai, Jaipur 06.2013 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
Maharani College, University of Rajasthan
Jaipur 06.2010 - 06.2013
Skills
- Laboratory Workflow Planning and Coordination
- Experimental Planning, Prioritization, and Execution Management
- Scientific Documentation, Technical Report Writing, and Knowledge Transfer
- Patent Support and Technical Content Contribution
- Process Improvement and Continuous Optimization Mindset
- Scientific Data Discussion and Presentation
- Cross-functional Team Collaboration across R&D, Process Development, and In-vivo Teams
- Mentoring and Technical Guidance of Research Associates, Interns, and New Team Members
Awards and Recognition
- Recognised for pivotal contribution in organizing annual event of Aurigene (2026)
- Individual Excellence Award (2026) for independently handling experiments and planning additional studies for CAR-NK project, Aurigene
- Team Excellence Award (2025) for exemplary performance in optimization of CAR-NK process, Aurigene
- Champion Award (2024) for new technology trailblazers, Aurigene
- Team Award (2023), Jubilant
- Best Budding Talent Award (2021) for handling primary cell assay efficiently, Aurigene
- Jansen Client Recognition for Assay Platform Standardization (2019), Syngene
- Spot Awards (2018), Syngene
Technical Skills
- Project-based Protocol Development
- Cell & Gene Therapy Workflow Understanding
- CAR-NK Manufacturing Workflow Knowledge
- Primary Immune Cell Isolation (PBMC / NK enrichment)
- Primary Cell Expansion & Activation Optimization
- CAR Transfection / Transduction process Optimization
- Lentiviral Vector (LVV) Generation & Titre Estimation
- Raw Material & Reagent Selection Strategy for Process Optimization
- Cell Therapy Cryopreservation concept and process understanding.
- Primary Cell Based Assays
- Cytokine Release Assays
- Co-culture Functional Assays
- Target Modulation Assays
- Analytical: Multicolor Flow Cytometry, QPCR,Western Blot, ELSA.
- Software: FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, CytExpert, NovoExpress.
Languages
Hindi
First Language
English
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Scientist – CGT R&D
Aurigene Oncology Limited
11.2023 - Current
Senior Research Associate – Discovery Biology
Jubilant Biosys Limited
12.2021 - 11.2023
Research Associate II – Cell & Molecular Biology
Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited
03.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Research Associate – Discovery Biology
Syngene International Limited
04.2017 - 03.2020
Research Intern
Syngene International Limited
10.2016 - 04.2017
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Banasthali Vidyapith
06.2013 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
Maharani College, University of Rajasthan
06.2010 - 06.2013