Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Degree
Awards
Publications
Presentations
Internship
References
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Dr. Susmita Chowdhury

Dr. Susmita Chowdhury

Thane West

Summary

Experienced Molecular Biologist with 5+ years of experience in laboratory research and development. Skilled in developing and executing experimental research plans, processing and analyzing data, and leading teams to complete projects.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Former Ph.D. Scholar

Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
12.2019 - 02.2025

Title of thesis: "Molecular Genetics of Juvenile X-linked Retinoschisis in South Indian Population"

  • Patient sample collection, genetic counseling, and ophthalmic diagnostic techniques, including data analysis of fundus photography, OCT, and ERG, were incorporated
  • Blood DNA isolation and molecular genetic techniques, including Sanger sequencing (Genetic Analyzer 3500 and 3130) and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), were utilized
  • Genotypic-phenotypic correlation was performed to assess disease severity
  • Functional prediction, protein stability, and PPI network analysis were conducted using bioinformatics software

Junior Research Fellow

Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
07.2018 - 11.2019

Project: Translational Genomics of Pediatric Eye Diseases (DBT Funded)

  • Developed an indigenous gene panel containing 124 genes for pediatric ocular disorders, including Leber’s congenital amaurosis, retinoblastoma, and juvenile X-linked retinoschisis
  • An EyeVarP bioinformatics pipeline was developed to support the data analysis
  • Achieved most diagnostic efficiency through targeted gene sequencing using inhouse Miseq facility

Post-graduation Project

Department of Bioinformatics(Pondicherry University) & CSIR-IICB(Structural Biology & Bioinformatics
Pondicherry & Kolkata
12.2016 - 06.2017

Title of dissertation: Modelling and Mutational Analysis of Dengue Virus Type 2 NS2B/NS3 Protease by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

  • The role of key residues involved in the proteolytic activity of NS2B-NS3 DENV2 was investigated through mutation and their MD simulation
  • Retrieve the NS2B-NS3 protease structure (PDB ID: 4M9K) from the RCSB PDB database
  • Generate five mutated systems using Modeller software for MD simulation
  • Perform MD simulations using GROMACS 5.1.1 with the GROMOS96 54a7 force field
  • Analyse results through RMSF, RMSD, Rg, hydrogen bonds, and SASA comparisons

Summer Internship

Center of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras
Chennai
05.2015 - 06.2015
  • Hands on training on Protein purification and Crystallization

Education

Ph.D. - Molecular Biology

Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
02.2025

M.Sc. - Bioinformatics

Pondicherry University
Pondicherry
07.2017

Diploma - Biotechnology

Pondicherry University
Pondicherry
07.2017

B.Sc. - Microbiology

West Bengal State University
Barasat
06.2015

Skills

  • Fundus photography
  • OCT
  • ERG
  • Genetic counseling
  • Blood DNA isolation
  • PCR
  • Sanger sequencing
  • WES
  • Genotype–phenotype correlation
  • Computational biology
  • Protein engineering
  • Protein purification
  • Crystallography
  • Microorganism isolation
  • Staining techniques

Degree

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

Awards

  • Lady Tata Memorial Trust- Junior Research Fellow, 2019-2021
  • Lady Tata Memorial Trust- Senior Research Fellow, 2021-2024

Publications

  • Chowdhury, S., Chermakani, P., Baliga, G., Anjanamurthy, R., Sundaresan, P., Genotypic and phenotypic diversity in X-linked retinoschisis: Findings from a South Indian patient cohort., Indian J Ophthalmol., 06/01/24, 72, 6, 902-911
  • Chowdhury, S., Duvesh, R., Kumaran, M., Anjanamurthy, R., Kumar, J., Vanniarajan, A., Devarajan, B., Sundaresan, P., Clinical reassessments and whole-exome sequencing uncover novel BEST1 mutation associated with bestrophinopathy phenotype., Ophthalmic Genet., 04/01/22, 43, 2, 191-200
  • Mishra, C., Duvesh, R., Chowdhury, S., Anjanamurthy, R., Kannan, N., Ramasamy, K., Sundaresan, P., Analysis of microstructural changes in an X-linked juvenile retinoschisis patient harboring RS1 G668A mutation by en-face optical coherence tomography imaging., Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports, 01/01/22, 2, 1, 136-139

Presentations

  • Genotypic and phenotypic implications on a rare ocular disorder: X- linked retinoschisis., DBT sponsored 9th national conference, 2024, M.G.R College, Housur, India
  • Clinical reassessment and whole exome sequencing uncover novel BEST-1 mutation associated with Bestrophinopathy phenotype., DBT sponsored international conference, 2023, M.G.R College, Housur, India
  • Analysis of Microstructural Changes in an X-linked Juvenile Retinoschisis Patient Harboring RS1 G668A Mutation by En-face Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging., Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), 2022, L V Prasad Eye institute, Hyderabad, India
  • Clinical reassessment and whole exome sequencing uncover novel BEST-1 mutation associated with Bestrophinopathy phenotype., Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), 2021, L V Prasad Eye institute, Hyderabad, India

Internship

Internship at Crystallography and Biophysics department, University of Madras, 2016, Hands on training on Protein purification and Crystallization.

References

References available upon request.

Languages

Bengali
First Language
English
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Hindi
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Tamil
Beginner (A1)
A1

Timeline

Former Ph.D. Scholar

Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
12.2019 - 02.2025

Junior Research Fellow

Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
07.2018 - 11.2019

Post-graduation Project

Department of Bioinformatics(Pondicherry University) & CSIR-IICB(Structural Biology & Bioinformatics
12.2016 - 06.2017

Summer Internship

Center of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras
05.2015 - 06.2015

Ph.D. - Molecular Biology

Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital

M.Sc. - Bioinformatics

Pondicherry University

Diploma - Biotechnology

Pondicherry University

B.Sc. - Microbiology

West Bengal State University
Dr. Susmita Chowdhury