Goal-oriented scientist with expertise in antibody discovery, protein engineering, analytical assay development, immuno-oncology. Skilled in managing cross-functional projects, mentoring junior scientists and integrating interdisciplinary approaches to deliver impactful results under tight deadlines.
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Scientist IiNextvivo Aug 2024 - Present• Led preclinical research initiatives in TIL therapy, optimizing proprietary 3D ALI TIL cultures to enhance yield and anti-tumor efficacy.• Managed expansion, characterization, and functional assessment of patient-derived ALI TILs.• Developed tumor organoid systems for multiple solid tumors to enable scalable TIL therapy evaluation.• Utilized cytokine profiling, reactivity, and cytotoxicity assays to assess immune responses of TILs within tumor-immune models and co-culture systems.• Mentored junior team members, providing guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and the presentation of research findings to senior leadership.• Collaborated with bioinformatics teams to integrate omics data and refine TIL therapy strategies. -
ScientistNextvivo May 2022 - Jul 2024• Engineered lymphoid organoid models for antibody discovery, utilizing adenoviral vectors to express tumor and viral antigens. • Modified immune cells in lymphoid organoids using CRISPR/Cas9, generating antibodies against self-antigens such as immune checkpoint receptors.• Developed and implemented robust assays to evaluate antibody specificity and immune reactivity.• Established and managed collaboration with CRO ViraQuest to scale up adenoviral vector production.• Developed CAR constructs targeting cancer antigens and tested efficacy using tumor-immune models.• Visualized data using R and presented key findings to senior leadership and investors, securing funding. -
Scientist IBioagilytix Oct 2021 - Apr 2022Durham, Nc, Us• Developed GMP-compliant immunoassays to evaluate potency of therapeutics in Phase1/2 clinical trials. -
Postdoctoral ResearcherUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill May 2021 - Oct 2021Chapel Hill, Nc, Us• Engineered multivalent anti-HIV and anti-gonorrhea IgG antibodies for STI therapeutics.• Employed affinity maturation via yeast display to generate anti-sperm IgG Fab with enhanced binding affinity. -
Graduate Research StudentUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Feb 2017 - May 2021Chapel Hill, Nc, Us• Developed a novel multivalent-IgG antibody-engineering platform, enhancing agglutination potency for therapeutic and contraceptive applications.• Engineered and characterized hexavalent anti-sperm IgG (10- to 16-fold enhanced potency), in preparation for its advancement into Phase I studies by Mucommune, LLC.• Collaborated with biopharma partners, Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. and Kentucky Bioprocessing, Inc., to produce antibodies in cGMP-compliant systems for clinical applications.• Secured over $3 million in NIH funding and filed a utility patent for the multivalent-IgG platform.• Designed bi-specific antibodies targeting HIV and sperm for multipurpose prevention technologies. -
Graduate Research StudentUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Nov 2016 - Jan 2017Chapel Hill, Nc, Us• Investigated the humoral immune response of mice against ZIKA virus.• Determined the viral titer of ZIKV (strain PVABC59 and H/PF/2013) using plaque assay.• Performed subcutaneous injection of ZIKV into immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice.• Performed reverse transcription followed by qPCR to detect the ZIKV viral load in blood samples.• Measured the concentration of IgG and IgM in the serum samples using ZIKV-specific ELISA. -
Graduate Research StudentUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Aug 2016 - Oct 2016Chapel Hill, Nc, Us• Investigated the role of regulatory B cells in pancreatic tumorigenesis.• Isolated regulatory and conventional B cells from wild-type and pancreatic cancer model mice using magnetic-activated cell sorting.• Co-cultured pancreatic cancer cell-line (KPC) with the isolated B-cells using a transwell system.• Performed MTT proliferation assay on KPC cells to assess tumor proliferation. -
Undergraduate Research AssistantClaflin University Sep 2014 - May 2016Orangeburg, Sc, UsUtilized directed evolution approach to engineer thermostable beta-glucosidase gene. -
Peer TutorStudent Support Service Ltd Sep 2014 - May 2016Tutor Claflin Undergraduates in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry. -
Summer ScholarNovartis Institutes For Biomedical Research (Nibr) Jun 2015 - Aug 2015Basel, Baselstadt, ChInvestigated the role of Cyclophilin B in Type I collagen folding in vitro. -
Peer TutorAcademic Success Center Sep 2012 - May 2015Tutored freshmen and sophomore undergraduates in General Biology, Chemistry and Calculus.
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Research AssistantClaflin University Feb 2013 - May 2014Orangeburg, Sc, UsUtilized NMR spectroscopy based metabolic profiles to distinguish between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus tissues of sugarcane.
Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D. Education Details
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel HillMicrobiology And Immunology -
Claflin UniversityBiochemistry
Frequently Asked Questions about Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D.
What company does Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D. work for?
Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D. works for Nextvivo
What is Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D.'s role at the current company?
Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D.'s current role is Advancing next-generation therapeutics.
What schools did Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D. attend?
Bhawana Shrestha, Ph.D. attended University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Claflin University.
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