Welka Sahu
Bhubaneswar
Summary
Enthusiastic Student with superior skills in working in both team-based and independent capacities. Bringing strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills to any setting. Technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in data-driven environments. Tackles challenges with positivity and drive to overcome. Works great alone or with others and consistently exceeds expectations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Ph.D Student
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
Bhubaneswar
10.2020 - Current
- Topic - Unraveling the cryptic role of the parasite and host chaperones during the intraerythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum.
- Supervisor - Dr. K Sony Reddy, School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed University).
- Work Done - The HSP40 proteins of Plasmodium falciparum have been hypothesized to hijack the function of human erythrocyte HSP70 chaperones. Based on the shreds of evidence, we wish to explore their role in the intraerythrocytic survival of Plasmodium falciparum. HsHSPA1 and HsHSPA8 are the most abundant erythrocyte chaperones, with around 65% sequence similarity to the exported Plasmodium falciparum protein- PfHSP70x. Few reports and results from our group, suggest that the functionality of these two chaperones would be utilized for the folding of exported Plasmodium falciparum proteins. So we wish to determine the functional hijacking of human HSPA1/HSPA8 chaperones by Plasmodium falciparum proteins which has not been attempted before.
Rsearch Fellow
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
Bhubaneswar
06.2019 - 10.2020
- Topic - Validate the efficacy of traditional herbal healing produce as anti-malarial.
- Supervisor - Dr. K Sony Reddy, School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed University).
- Work Done - We received five different combinations of 9 plant products from NIF (National Innovation Foundation) to be tested in a standardized assay that would monitor their growth inhibitory activity. Out of all the extracts tested we have found the methanolic extract from A. indica + P. nigrum to have the maximum inhibitory activity against intra-erythrocytic growth of P. falciparum. Extracts would be tested further for curing of infection in mice using mice malaria parasite- Plasmodium berghei.
Master's Dessertation
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
Bhubaneswar
12.2018 - 06.2019
- Topic - Identification and characterization of a novel Dnaj domain containing Plasmodium falciparum protein involved in parasite protein trafficking.
- Supervisor - Dr. K Sony Reddy, School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed University).
- Work Done - Was involved in purifying the protein (HSP40-eCiJp) in a recombinant form, and immunized them into mice/rats for generation of specific antibodies. The antibodies were used to characterize the protein. We found the protein to get trafficked beyond the boundaries of the intra-erythrocyte parasite membrane into the host erythrocyte in association with vesicle like structures. Techniques like SDS PAGE, co- immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis were used for these studies.
Intern
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)
Bhubaneswar
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Topic – Study of G-box mutation and their effect on Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Supervisor- Dr. Kishore Chandrasekhar Panigrahi, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar.
- Work Done - Learned DNA and RNA extraction, and setting up PCR.
Intern
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)
Bhubaneswar
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Topic - Light and Auxin Signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Supervisor - Dr Kishore Chandrasekhar Panigrahi, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar.
- Work Done - Learnt a few basic techniques like sterilization, sowing and harvesting of seeds, and preparation of MS media.
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
Bhubaneswar06-2019
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Trident Academy of Creative Technology (TACT)
Bhubaneswar04-2017
Ph.D. - Biotechnology
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
BhubaneswarSkills
- Cell Culture
- Primer Designing
- Gene Cloning
- Recombinant Protein production
- Protein Purification by Metal Affinity Chromatography and Size Exclusion Chromatography
- Antibody Generation by Animal Immunization (Whister Rat, Balb/c Mice and C57/BL6 Mice)
- Immunoblotting
- Immunofluorescence Assay (Fluorescence Microscopy)
- Biochemical Assays like ATPase assay, Rhodanese Aggregation and Suppression Assay, Serum Biochemical Assays etc
- Animal Handling- Infection Model studies, Retro-orbital bleed, Passaging and dissection
- Cryosectioning of animal organs using Cryotome
- Histopathology- Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining of animal organs
- In-vitro Growth Inhibition Assays using Eukaryotic Cell Culture
- Plant Metabolite Extraction using different solvents
Affiliations
- Gardening.
- Odishi Dancing.
Languages
Odia
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Bengali
Proficient (C2)
C2
Accomplishments
- Awarded as Senior Research Fellow from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Govt. of India. Award No- 2021-13362/CMB-BMS.
- Best Poster Award at the “15th Conference of Vectors Vector-Borne Disease (2023)” held at Goa University jointly organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Malaria Research (NIRM), National Academy of Vector Borne Diseases (NAVBD) and Goa University with sponsorship from World Health Organization (WHO).
Timeline
Ph.D Student
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
10.2020 - Current
Rsearch Fellow
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
06.2019 - 10.2020
Master's Dessertation
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
12.2018 - 06.2019
Intern
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)
05.2018 - 07.2018
Intern
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)
04.2018 - 06.2018
Master of Science - Biotechnology
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Trident Academy of Creative Technology (TACT)
Ph.D. - Biotechnology
KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University