Ratnika Sharma
PhD, Research Scientist
New Delhi
Summary
Ph.D. In Biotechnology with post-doctoral research experience in regenerative medicine, hypoxia biology, and natural product-based therapeutics. Skilled in developing In vitro and In vivo models for ocular diseases, with expertise in molecular, cellular, and bioinformatics techniques. Strong publication record and proven ability to translate research into therapeutic applications.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Research Scientist
Shroff Pandorum - Center for Ocular Regeneration, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital
05.2024 - Current
- Working on cell- and tissue-based regenerative medicine platforms aimed at ocular repair, concentrating on developing and validating in-vitro and pre-clinical models of eye injuries to examine cellular responses, neuroprotection, and tissue regeneration for translational therapeutic applications
- Leading research effort on understanding molecular characterisation of Pterygium
Post-Doctoral Research
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
11.2023 - 05.2024
- Studied liver disease mechanisms and the protective role of Ayurvedic drugs using rodent models; performed animal handling and biochemical analysis of plasma and tissue samples.
Post-Doctoral Research
Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DRDO)
10.2022 - 11.2023
- Researched disease mechanisms and worked on developing cardiovascular therapies using natural products and bioactive compounds for stress induced by hypobaric hypoxia on rodent models (rat/mice) and C2C12 myoblast cells
Ph.D. Candidate
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
09.2015 - 02.2023
- Drug discovery on nutraceuticals for anticancer activity against liver cancer (HepG2) cells; identified bioactive compounds via liquid chromatography and applied in vitro assays with in silico methods (molecular docking, molecular dynamics).
Project Fellow
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
05.2013 - 05.2018
- Worked as junior and senior research fellow in University Grants Commission funded project in identification and evaluation of bioactive constituents from plants (cereals/millets).
Research Intern
Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DRDO)
02.2012 - 06.2012
- Studied physiological effects of hypoxia-induced stress in male Sprague Dawley rats. Evaluated role of Cordyceps sinensis in mitigating oxidative stress from experimental hypobaric hypoxia.
Education
Ph.D. - Biotechnology
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
02.2023
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Chaudhary Charan Singh University
05-2012
Post-Graduate Diploma - Bioinformatics
Jamia Hamdard University
06-2010
Bachelor of Science - Life Sciences
Gargi College, University of Delhi
06-2009
Timeline
Associate Research Scientist
Shroff Pandorum - Center for Ocular Regeneration, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital
05.2024 - Current
Post-Doctoral Research
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
11.2023 - 05.2024
Post-Doctoral Research
Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DRDO)
10.2022 - 11.2023
Ph.D. Candidate
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
09.2015 - 02.2023
Project Fellow
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
05.2013 - 05.2018
Research Intern
Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DRDO)
02.2012 - 06.2012
Ph.D. - Biotechnology
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Chaudhary Charan Singh University
Post-Graduate Diploma - Bioinformatics
Jamia Hamdard University
Bachelor of Science - Life Sciences
Gargi College, University of Delhi
Skills
Animal cell culture
Animal (rat/mice) handling/dissection
ELISA
Immunohistochemistry
QRT-PCR
Flow cytometry
Bioinformatics studies using Network Pharmacology, Autodock, NAMD, VMD
Fluorescence microscopy
Gel electrophoresis
Response surface methodology
Spectrophotometry
Statistical softwares SPSS, Design Expert, GraphPad Prism
Publications
Research Papers
- Ratnika Sharma, Rawat, P., Singh, P., Kanojiya, S., & Gupta, P. (2022). Statistical optimization of
ultrasound assisted extraction of free and bound phenolic acids, antioxidant and antibacterial activities
and UPLC–MS/MS characterization from two varieties of Eleusine coracana. Journal of Food
Measurement and Characterization, 16, 2086-2103. - Ratnika Sharma & Gupta, P. (2021). Nutraceutical potential of Pennisetum typhoides microgreens:
In vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activity and in silico Staphylococcus aureus FtsZ
inhibition. Food Bioscience, 42, 101151. - Hailu, T., Ratnika Sharma., Mann, S., Gupta, P., Gupta, R. K., & Rani, A. (2021). Determination
of bioactive phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Colchicum autumnale L.
(Suranjanshireen). Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR) [Formerly
Natural Product Radiance (NPR)], 12(1), 52-60. - Optimized ultrasound assisted extraction of polyphenols from Pennisetum typhoides microgreens and
evaluation of their antioxidant, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities against hepatocellular
carcinoma. (Manuscript Under Preparation). - Metabolic Signatures of Hypobaric Hypoxia: A Plasma Profiling Study in Rats. (Manuscript Under
Preparation).
Book Chapters
- Ratnika Sharma, Tulsawani R. Chapter 22. Nutraceuticals in alleviating aging. In: Tulsawani R,
Vohora D, editors. Adaptation under stressful environments through biological adjustments and
interventions; 2024. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-7652-2_22 - Majumdar S, Ratnika Sharma, Maithani R, Tulsawani R. Chapter 3. Activation of hypoxia-
inducible factor under high altitude stress. In: Tulsawani R, Vohora D, editors. Adaptation under
stressful environments through biological adjustments and interventions; 2024. doi:
10.1007/978-981-99-7652-2_3 - Jain R, Ratnika Sharma, Maithani R, Tulsawani R. Chapter 5. Expression of vascular endothelial
growth factor at high altitude. In: Tulsawani R, Vohora D, editors. Adaptation under stressful
environments through biological adjustments and interventions; 2024. doi:
10.1007/978-981-99-7652-2_5 - Maithani R, Yadav R, Ratnika Sharma, Tulsawani R, Chapter 21. Prevention of pro-inflammatory
markers by medicinal mushrooms under stressful environment. In: Tulsawani R, Vohora D, editors.
Adaptation under stressful environments through biological adjustments and interventions; 2024. doi:
10.1007/978-981-99-7652-2_21.
Seclect Workshops & Training
- Rodent Surgery – ILBS, New Delhi (2023)
- Gene Cloning & Cell Culture in Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery – CSIR-IIIM, Jammu (2022)
- Computational Biology & Network Pharmacology – Punjabi University, Patiala (2021)
- Bioinformatics & Computational Tools – DTU, Delhi (2020); NIT, Jalandhar (2020)
- Science Leadership – Central University of Punjab (2020)
- In silico Drug Discovery & Design – AIIMS, Delhi (2015)