* Began as a participant in the Biosecurity Fundamentals course, where my project earned a prize for its innovative approach to addressing BWC Verification challenges.* Transitioned into a facilitation role, mentoring a diverse, international cohort of participants.* Provided guidance and feedback on projects, fostering collaboration and skill development in biosecurity and global health.* Supported participants in developing impactful projects, leveraging my own experience and insights gained from the program.* Played a key role in cultivating a collaborative learning environment, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity in global health and technology.

* Authored detailed protocols for biospecimen collection in space, including stool collection and dried blood spot collection, enabling advanced microbiome, metabolomic, and molecular analyses.* Led a breakout project to design a database and protocols for space biomanufacturing, focusing on microbial and cell-free methods tailored for microgravity environments.* Explored how human datasets, such as those from Inspiration4, can inform biomanufacturing applications in space.

* Engaged in a yearlong international pre-accelerator program empowering early-stage biotech startups.* Designed and delivered educational content for the Venture Creation Lab for the Americas in April 2024, directly supporting over 45 innovative teams.* Built connections across the biotech startup ecosystem in the Americas and Europe, fostering collaboration and mentorship.* Traveled to Paris in November 2024 to co-organize the Startup Showcase 2024, showcasing cutting-edge solutions from 15 finalist teams.* Acted as the primary mentor and coordinator for these finalists, leveraging my experience as an iGEM alumna to curate impactful presentations and prepare them for global opportunities

* Selected from a competitive pool of applicants to represent the next generation of leaders in biosecurity.* Presented a poster: 'Biosecurity Protocol Repository for SynBio,' advocating for standardized approaches to strengthen global biosecurity frameworks.* Engaged with high-level experts, diplomats, and policymakers to discuss pressing biosecurity challenges and future directions for the field.* Contributed to meaningful dialogues on international collaboration and the role of youth in shaping biosecurity policies.

Team Building & Leadership:* Assembled a diverse team of 15 multidisciplinary students to develop an innovative synthetic biology solution addressing Alzheimer’s disease. This project was awarded a silver medal at the 2023 iGEM Jamboree.* Coordinated efforts across wet lab, dry lab, and human practices teams, ensuring alignment on project goals.Project Management:* Oversaw the end-to-end execution of a multifaceted project, from ideation to presentation at the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris.* Organized TriGEM, fostering collaboration with Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, and engaging regional synthetic biology teams in knowledge exchange.* Secured funding and sponsorships through strategic networking and proposal writing. Presented hypothesis and preliminary results at various conferences. (NCSU Sidewalk Symposium 2022, NCSU Summer Symposium 2022, TriGEM 2023, Mid Atlantic iGEM meetup 2023)Technical Knowledge:* Led the development of a dual-plasmid CRISPR-Cas9 toolkit to engineer gut bacteria for enhanced butyrate production.Science Communication:* Developed accessible, multilingual resources, including memory journals, to engage diverse communities in understanding Alzheimer’s care.* Presented complex scientific concepts to both expert and public audiences, fostering awareness and collaboration.* Stakeholder engagement- Conducted over 70 interviews with caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and patients to shape project direction.Biosecurity:* Designed and implemented biosafety features for engineered probiotics, including auxotrophy systems to prevent horizontal gene transfer.* Conducted a comprehensive biosecurity risk assessment, integrating expert feedback to ensure safe deployment of genetic engineering technologies.* Advocated for responsible innovation by integrating biosecurity considerations into experimental designs and public communication strategies.

* Established and led the CRISPR Hub, creating a collaborative platform for discussions on CRISPR as a transformative platform technology.* Organized expert talks to explore the technical applications of CRISPR and its potential in addressing global challenges.* Emphasized the ethical responsibility of utilizing CRISPR technology, fostering conversations on its broader societal implications.* Authored blogs detailing CRISPR’s mechanism of action and its promising applications in cancer treatment.

* Followed established protocols for CRISPR-Cutting and Ligation of Nucleic acid In vitro via Gibson (CLONInG) to enable efficient DNA manipulation for donor vector construction.* Combined the use of CRISPR-Cas9 with Gibson Assembly, to streamline the creation of donor vectors and enhance efficiency in DNA manipulation. * Utilized CRISPR-CLONInG technology to design and construct precise DNA templates for genome editing applications. * Contributed to integrating cutting-edge CRISPR methodologies into the Biotechnology program’s curriculum.* Presented research findings on CRISPR-CLONInG applications at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS).

* Contributed to the development and commercialization of diagnostic devices for early-onset pre-eclampsia. First device for clinical and point-of-care preeclampsia testing.* Conducted stakeholder engagement with healthcare providers, patients, and advocacy groups to understand the diagnostic odyssey and identify unmet needs in maternal health.* Performed market research to guide the strategic positioning and scaling of the diagnostic device.

* Crafted engaging content that showcases the vibrant artistic community at NC State, highlighting emerging talent, exhibitions, and cultural events.* Collaborated with editors to maintain high-quality content and timely publication.

* Managed the WordPress platform for the university yearbook's digital presence.* Collaborated with graphic artists and post-production team members to create engaging online content.

* Wrote engaging articles and profiles to document key events and student achievements.* Designed visually appealing layouts to capture campus culture.* Contributed to preserving university history and celebrating community diversity.My entire portfolio is showcased here: nsuresh.contently.com

* Wrote and researched articles on a wide range of topics, including campus events, social issues, and emerging trends.* Collaborated with editors and writers to produce high-quality, engaging content for the student community.* Developed strong skills in storytelling and research.* Contributed to fostering meaningful campus discussions through clear writing.My entire portfolio is showcased here: nsuresh.contently.com

* Fact-checked content to ensure accuracy and reliability of information.* Edited articles for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and consistency to ensure high-quality content.* Collaborated with writers to refine pieces and provided constructive feedback.* Maintained the publication’s voice and style throughout the editing process.

* Establishing and leading the first TED-Ed Club on campus, creating a platform for students to develop and share innovative ideas.* Representing TED-Ed as a campus ambassador, promoting youth-driven storytelling and idea exchange* Organized workshops for students to refine their ideas. * Edited idea drafts to enhance storytelling and public speaking skills.

* Mentored by talented professionals to explore business use cases of cloud computing and AI, especially in the healthcare field.* Developed proficiency in the Salesforce platform through Trailhead.* Strengthened communication and presentation skills.