Debashish Menon, Ph.D Email & Phone Number

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States

•Served as senior biologist, delivering decision-making data to advance a program in lead discovery. •Made key contributions to the identification of pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers that could be assayed by western blotting (WB), JESS capillary electrophoresis, MSD, HIBiT, and imaging.•Led troubleshooting efforts to develop protocol for in vitro and in vivo (CDX) PD assays. •Performed RNAi-based validation of antibodies to select candidates for applications in PD assays, and Immunopulldown-Mass Spectrometry (IP-MS).•Optimized and developed IP-MS protocols for the analyses of protein interactions and post translational modifications. These data were instrumental in identification of PD biomarker.•Generated lentiviral transduced cell lines for target validation and characterization.•Characterized CRISPR KO cell lines used in target validation studies.•Assisted in cell proliferation assays, gaining familiarity with automated liquid handling platform.•Actively contributed to the research unit’s discovery efforts by proposing new cancer targets using databases such as TCGA, DepMap, and surveying the literature. •Acquired a sound understanding of the drug discovery process and clinical trials.•Mentored a cooperative education (Co-op) student in cell biology and bioanalytical techniques.

•Conceptualized, planned, and executed original projects combining genetic, proteomic, and genomic approaches to investigate the impact of chromatin regulation in reproductive health.•Published five high impact research articles revealing novel roles for chromatin regulators in mammalian germ cell development, further advancing the field of chromatin and reproductive biology.•Generated mouse conditional knockouts using Cre-Lox system to study the function of chromatin regulators in spermatogenesis.•Characterized phenotypes that involved defects in stem cell maintenance, DNA repair, and cell division.•Proficient in immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy (light, epifluorescence), image analyses using Image J and Huygens software (Scientific Volume imaging). •Underwent training in high resolution imaging using STED (Stimulated emission depletion) and 3D SIM (Structured Illumination Microscopy).•Performed cell separations using density gradient sedimentation and Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) to purify germ cell populations for downstream proteomic and genomic analyses.•Optimized and established IP-MS protocol to investigate the composition of the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodeler’s and their associated protein interactions in germ cells. •Generated Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) datasets (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN) to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying SWI/SNF governed gene regulation in germ cells. •Routinely performed bioinformatic data analyses, acquiring proficiency in R, UNIX, Shell scripting, working on computing clusters.•Evaluated testes organ cultures for ex vivo pharmacological and genetic manipulation. •Trained research associates and faculty in NGS data analysis.•Supervised a graduate student project and assisted in manuscript preparation. •Contributed key data and specific aims to two successfully funded NIH RO1 grants.

•Investigated the molecular mechanisms of Drosophila X chromosome dosage compensation, a mechanism of chromosome-wide gene regulation. •Authored 5 first-author publications, including a Faculty of 1000 (F1000Prime) nominated research article, due to its special significance in genomics and genetics.•Identified novel roles for genomic imprinting and small non-coding RNA in dosage compensation.•Designed and executed genetic interaction studies to reveal the involvement of siRNA factors in the regulation of X chromosome identity during dosage compensation.•Generated and characterized transposon derived mutants, and transgenic lines to investigate the functions of proteins/non-coding RNAs.•Cloned and functionally characterized siRNA encoding repetitive DNA.•Routinely mapped the genomic associations of chromatin bound proteins and non-coding sequences by immunostaining and in-situ hybridization, respectively. •Prepared RNA samples from Drosophila embryos and adults for gene expression analyses and small RNA sequencing.•Ph.D Dissertation was nominated to the 2013 Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest distinguished dissertations award in the field of Biological Sciences and Life Sciences.•Awarded the P. Dennis Smith prize (WSU) for graduate student research excellence in genetics.•Two-time recipient of the Thomas C. Rumble graduate fellowship (WSU) for outstanding Ph.D candidates.•Recognized by graduate school for exceptional performance as a graduate research assistant.•Taught undergraduate level lab courses in basic biology and genetics.

•Worked on client-based projects involving the cloning and production of therapeutic proteins •Development of PCR based diagnostic tests for detection of bacterial pathogens

•Trained in production of monoclonal antibodies for biotherapeutic application •Trained in cloning, expression, and purification of proteins in bacterial and mammalian systems

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Epigenetics, Non Coding Rna

•Investigated the molecular mechanisms of X chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila melanogaster •Identified novel roles for genomic.

Master Of Science - Ms, Microbiology

•Worked on the development of chitinase as a potential bio fungicide for crop protection •Experienced in enzyme purification, enzyme.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Microbiology