Nidhi Chauhan - Research assistant

Summary

Solution-driven researcher with 3 years of demonstrated experience in innovative product development, devising experimental designs and methodologies, data analysis and interpretation to solve complex research problems with commercial applications. Proven track record of leading projects as R&D technical lead and in team collaboration with critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, technical ability, multi-tasking, presentation skills and project management. Awarded and recognised as contributor of novel innovations as top 10 finalist for product ‘JIGYASA’ in National Start-ups Awards,2023.

Overview

4

years of professional experience

6

years of post-secondary education

1

Certification

Work history

Research assistant

Decode DNA Private Limited

New Delhi, India

2020.12 - 2023.05

Designed and developed product, reducing 20% of infrastructure and development costs, creating it more portable, transport friendly and easy to assemble product, contributing to advancement of innovation.
Developed and validated 10 sustainable and unique kits achieving product efficiency by 15% with reduction in experimental time by 1 hour, making them robust, eco-friendly and reproducible.
Co-supervised and trained 8 major project and 200+ students in workshop programmes through active learning approach, enhancing students hands-on efficiency, problem solving and critical thinking skills, increasing 20% visibility of workshop programmes through gathered surveys and email's .
Awarded and recognised as top 10 finalist in EdTech category in National Startups Awards, 2023 for product 'JIGYASA' for promoting hands-on learning, skill development, easy accessibility of tools and techniques through pragmatic approach towards DNA technology.
Established and co-lead 2 scientific laboratories with laboratory safety management through planning SOPs for all hazardous procedures and regulatory standards.
Participated and published research finding at international conferences increasing research visibility by 5% and receiving recognition from the scientific community for innovative approach.
Contributed in writing the abstracts, prepared presentations for the upcoming research projects and workshops programmes.

Projects:

Molecular, biochemical and drug resistance profiling of clinical isolates obtained from neonatal diarrheal samples and antimicrobial activity of selected isolates against clinical pathogens.
Characterization, drug resistance and Shiga toxin gene profiling of E.coli o157:h7 in different food samples.
Gene expression (hilA & invA) profiling of food poisoning causing salmonella enteric from different food samples and screening of bacteriophages as an alternative of antibiotics from Yamuna river.

Quality Control Intern

Intertek Private Limited

Gurgaon, Haryana

2019.08 - 2019.12

Monitored processes, identified the areas for improvement and implemented innovative quality control techniques ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory standards that resulted in a 10% increase in production efficiency.
Maintained and created comprehensive documentation of quality control processes, procedures and test results ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Participated in training needs and interventions enhancing knowledge and skills related to quality control processes.
Engaged in internal and external audits as intern to assess compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Education

Master of Technology - Biotechnology

Jaypee Institute of Information and Technology

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

2017.06 - 2019.06

Bachelor of Technology - Biotechnology

Meerut Institute of Information and Technology

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

2012.07 - 2016.07

Skills

Technical Skills

Molecular Biology and Genetic engineering:

DNA, RNA and plasmid isolation
PCR and qPCR amplification through genetic markers and primer designing
Horizontal gel electrophoresis and vertical gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
Protein purification (column and absorption chromatography)
Western blotting and gene cloning

Microbiology and Immunology:

Anti-microbial susceptibility test
In-vitro microbial cell culture techniques
Identification, typing and microbial enumeration techniques

ELISA

Interpersonal Skills

Complex problem-solving skill set
Outcome-oriented/result driven
Critical decision making
Expert attention to quality assurance
Identification and high-level investigation skills
Expert adherence to procedures and protocols
Strong documentation and effective oral communication skills

Accomplishments

Managed and organized workshop on “Molecular Tools and Real World Applications based experiments” for 50+ students increasing 40% visibility through news coverage by Umar Ujjala.
Presented and participated in International conference ( “National Education Policy‑Transformational Reforms in Higher Education: Making a Global Impact) securing third position as oral presenter.
Tasked as technical volunteer in ICABB-2019 from planning, executing and setting up the events, managing the registrations, submission of abstracts, distributing informational materials, gathered data, conducting surveys increasing the fund raise by 30%.
Discovered and submitted the novel endophyte CA-903 (Authors: Sarethy, I.P., Chauhan, N., Srivastava, N., Title: sequences from Capsicum annuum, CA-903) for gene bank submission providing access within the scientific community to comprehensive DNA sequence information.

Certification

Bioinformatics: Learn Bulk RNA-Seq Data Analysis from Scratch, Expected completion: May, 2024
Bioinformatics with Python, Expected Completion: May,2024
Next Generation sequencing certificate, Expected Completion: June,2024

Academic Projects

In-vitro micropropagation and isolation of endophytes from local chilli cultivars for their bioactivity.

Techniques: In-vitro micropropagation, antimicrobial susceptibility test, antioxidant

assay, identification and enumeration of microbes, DNA extraction, PCR, 16sRNA

sequencing, HPLC

Characterizations of natural sources for their bioactivity.

Techniques: Antioxidant and antimicrobial susceptibility assay, phytochemical analysis.

Comparison of indoor exposures to hazardous air pollutants in three urban communities and abatement of indoor air pollutants by plants

Techniques: Surveys, experiments, and secondary data analysis.

Workshops/Seminars

Participated in poster presentation on "Characterization of Capsicum annuum cultivars for bioactivity in International Conference on Advances in Biosciences and Biotechnology (ICABB-2019) by Department of Biotechnology, JIIT, Noida from 31st February, 2019-2nd February, 2019.
Attended the workshop on "Hands-on Computational Biology for Genomic and Metagenomic analysis" held on 13thNov, 2018 at Department of biotechnology, JIIT, Noida organized by Phixgen Pvt. Ltd.
Participated in poster presentation on "Stem cells" in a national seminar on "Recent advances in forensic biotechnology" organized by M.I.E.T biotechnology society on 23rd April, 2014.

Timeline