RAKHI SALVE
Ambarnath,Maharashtra
Summary
Dedicated researcher with a strong background in cancer diagnostics and 2.5 years of hands-on experience as a Junior Research Fellow. Passionate about advancing my research experience to the next level, I am seeking a PhD opportunity in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology to contribute passion and expertise to cutting-edge research at widely respected universities.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Junior research fellow
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre
Kharghar
2021.08 - 2022.01
Under the guidance of Dr. Nikhil Patkar on a project aimed at identifying and immunophenotypically characterizing leukemic stem cells. I utilized a two-tube 10-color assay to identify LSCs in the CD34+/CD38- niche, leveraging specific immunophenotypic markers for LSCs. This assay held potential for MRD monitoring at post-treatment time points.
Research Assistant
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre
Kharghar, India
2019.08 - 2021.08
Worked for project under Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Intermediate Fellowship (grant number IA/CPHI/14/1/501485) awarded to Dr Nikhil Patkar for the project titled ‘Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and it’s dynamics of relapse’. (2015-21). As part of this project, I worked on developing one-step PCR-based NGS assay to detect and monitor FLT3-ITD at a very lower limit (MRD) in AML patients.
Assisted in other projects such as molecular diagnosis and large-scale data analysis in hematological malignancies and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conducted standardization of metagenomics for the identification of pathogens causing sepsis in acute leukemia patients using the Oxford Nanopore sequencer. Additionally, performed genetic profiling of childhood T Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) and assessed its impact on outcomes.
Trainee Technician
Hematopathology Laboratory, Tata Memorial Centre
Kharghar, India
2018.09 - 2019.08
Extensively involved in conducting molecular testing of various blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. This has provided me with valuable hands-on experience in handling peripheral and bone marrow blood samples. I have developed proficiency in performing crucial techniques such as RBC lysis, nucleic acid extraction, and PCR setup, ensuring accurate and reliable results. Additionally, I have gained expertise in employing Chimerism- STR-based techniques, Sanger sequencing, conventional PCR, capillary electrophoresis (Fragment length Analysis), and agarose gel electrophoresis
Education
MSC - Zoology (Endocrinology)
B.K. Birla College Of Arts, Commerce & Science
Kalyan, Maharashtra, India 2015.06 - 2017.05
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
C.H.M College Of Arts, Science & Commerce
Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, India 2012.06 - 2015.04
Skills
- Molecular testing for blood cancers
- Proficient in bone marrow and peripheral blood lysis
- Expertise in sample repository maintenance and nucleic acid extractions
- Skilled in PCR setup and standardization
- Handled Sanger sequencing, capillary electrophoresis, plasmid cloning, and agarose gel electrophoresis
- Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
- Design and in-house library preparation for Illumina MiSeq
- Handled 16S and shotgun metagenomics library preparation for Oxford Nanopore Technology MinION platform
- Proteomics
- SDS-PAGE electrophoresis
- Bacterial culture: Colony transformation
- Biostatistics
- Handling bioinformatics pipelines
- Analysis of NGS data
Awards
- Received the Certificate of Merit for achieving the highest marks in Zoology during my Master's program. (2017-2018)
- Received a travel grant from the EHA Association to attend and present a poster at the EHA Conference in Frankfurt, Germany. (2020)
Publication
Patkar, Nikhil, Chinmayee Kakirde, Anam Fatima Shaikh, Rakhi Salve, Prasanna Bhanshe, Gaurav Chatterjee, Sweta Rajpal et al. "Clinical impact of panel-based error-corrected next generation sequencing versus flow cytometry to detect measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)." Leukemia 35, no. 5 (2021): 1392-1404.
Research responsibilities
- Standardization and validation of assays such as a novel one-step PCR-based NGS assay for FLT3-ITD detection.
- Isolation of transposable enzymes for utilization of its expression and activity in single- cell studies.
- Individually handled the multiparametric flow cytometry part that is, sample processing, acquisition on instrument
- Molecular diagnosis and large-scale data analysis in hematological malignancies and SARS-CoV2 infection. Standardization of metagenomics for identification of pathogen causing sepsis in acute leukemia patients on Oxford Nanopore sequencer.
- Genetic profiling of childhood T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) and its impact on outcomes.
- Individually handled the sample storage as well as maintenance of sample archives and documentation of patient data.
Conferences
- Online e-poster presentation at European Hematology Association (EHA) Virtual Conference, 2020 held in Frankfurt, Germany.
- Poster presentation at the annual national Hematology conference, HAEMATOCON, 2019 in Delhi, India.
Course & Workshops
- 100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp for 2023 - UDEMY (Dec 2023- Present).
- Coding for Biologist - Biotecnika (15 Days).
- Attended 45 days online training program on “Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Techniques” conducted by Ethical Edufabrica Pvt Ltd in association with Alma Fiesta, IIT Bhubaneswar (Jan 2023 -Feb 2023).
- Attended XVII Annual Meeting on Evidence-Based Management of Cancers in India Clinical Genomics in Haemato- Oncology, held at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) (Feb 2019).
- Attended workshop on “Spectroscopy and Chromatography” at Birla College of Arts, Commerce & Science, University of Mumbai. (2016)
- Attended ADULT NEUROGENESIS: From Stem Cells to Therapies (ANSCT2014) seminar at TIFR, Mumbai. (2014)
- Attended 5 weeks of a workshop- Collaborative Undergraduate Biology Education (CUBE) held at Homi Bhabha Research Center for Science Education (HBCSE). (2012-2013)
References
- Dr Nikhil Patkar - Clinician Scientist and Professor
Email Id: nvpatkar@gmail.com Mobile: +919892900358
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai- 410210
- Dr Shruti Chaudhary - Scientific Officer (SO, ‘’E’’)
Email Id: shrutigentech@gmail.com Mobile: +919167650880
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai- 410210
- Dr P G Subramanian - Officer-in-charge
Email Id: pgs_mani@yahoo.com Mobile: +919819135574
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai- 410210
Timeline
Junior research fellow
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre
2021.08 - 2022.01
Research Assistant
Hematopathology Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre
2019.08 - 2021.08
Trainee Technician
Hematopathology Laboratory, Tata Memorial Centre
2018.09 - 2019.08
MSC - Zoology (Endocrinology)
B.K. Birla College Of Arts, Commerce & Science
2015.06 - 2017.05
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
C.H.M College Of Arts, Science & Commerce
2012.06 - 2015.04