Nirupama Kotian, Ph.D., M.Sc. Email & Phone Number

United States

Drawing on my experience in cancer biology, I manage projects that investigate functions of metastasis susceptibility genes in breast cancer using high throughput sequencing, microscopy and proteomics approach to identify mechanisms contributing to cancer metastasis and disease progression.Key contributions:• Led the project to identify mechanisms that contribute to cytoplasmic-nucleolar shuttling of SIPA1 in breast cancer metastasis under stresses mimicking metastasis-Determined that SIPA1 relocalizes to the nucleus of breast cancer cell lines when subjected to stress specifically in the nuclear speckles and nucleolus -Established that SIPA1 also binds to higher order repeats near the centromeric regions of multiple chromosomes and may impact chromosomal segregation- Analyzing the role of SIPA1 in splicing, it’s binding to centromeric core and RNA-protein interactions •Characterization of differential nucleolar stress response in breast cancer cells during metastasis-Developing methods to characterize the differential nucleolar stress response in breast cancer cells during metastasis using the VHL:YFP biosensor in the mouse metastatic mammary tumor cell lines.-Utilized time lapse microscopy to determine the difference in nuclelolar relocalization of the biosensor in highly metastatic cells as compared to the less metastatic cancer cells•Diversity Career Development Program Fellow (November 2022- October 2023)- A year long, prestigious NCI fellowship that provides selected postdoctoral fellows with tools necessary to develop as leaders in independent research careers.-Coaching Sessions: A series of coaching modules emphasizing personal strengths, goal setting, and career advancement.-Leadership Skills: Workshops on assertiveness, situational leadership, and networking strategies for career growth-Connecting with NCI director, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to share personal and professional journeys through candid conversations and inspirational stories

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

1. NCI LCBG Organizing Committee for the Cancer Modeling Lectureship (August 2024) -inviting prominent figures in the field to begin Cancer Modeling Lectureship initiative led by Dr. Glenn Merlino and Dr. Senthil Muthuswamy.2. NIH Women Scientist Fellows (July 2024-present)-3. NIH Fellows Editorial Board (September 2023-present)- This Board gives fellows editorial training and experience including reviewing submitted documents, following an editorial process, preparing final reports, and weekly meetings.4. NCI LCBG Trainee Empowerment Planning committee (June 2023- present)- working with the TEP committee in the department intended to support professional growth, increase awareness of career opportunities, and facilitate internal and external network building of trainees.5. National Postdoctoral Association’s POSTDOCket editing team (February 2023-present)6. CCR Fellows and Young Investigators Steering Committee (Colloquium), National Cancer Institute (September 2022- May 2023): Chair of the Publicity committee and helping the team in organization of the two-day conference from May 4-5th 2023.7. CCR Fellows and Young Investigators Poster and talks judge (Colloquium)- judging the posters and talks given in the conference to identify a candidate for the outstanding postgraduate award.8. NIH Postbac Poster day 2023 (April 19-20, 2023): participated as a judge to review two out of eight poster sessions from postbaccalaureate trainees at the NIH

Manhattan, Kansas, United States

• Graduate Student Council's Professional Development Committee chair (2020-current): plan, organize and host opportunities that promote the professional development of graduate students that support career development in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.• Internal advisory Board member for SUCCEED at KAWSE (Kansas State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering): provide feedback for SUCCEED events that involve opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students of STEM fields.• International Coordinating Council Secretary (2020-2021): working with multiple international student groups on campus to promote diversity and host cultural events.• Graduate Student Council's Student Affairs Committee chair (2019-2020): plan and coordinate events that support overall well-being and provide networking opportunities for graduate students.• Hands on activity sessions for high school girls with the McDonald lab titled “Flies are like us” through EXCITE Summer Workshop, June 2019. This workshop wass designed to inspire and educate high school students to pursue a future in STEM fields.• Hands on activity sessions in Microbiology lab (Staining bacteria and using microscopes) organized for middle school girls through KAWSE and GROW (Girls Researching Our World) in October 2017.

Manhattan, Kansas, United States

• Performed a targeted screen of 24 glioblastoma associated adhesion genes using the collective border cell model to identify eight candidates with a role in collective cell migration and collective tumor cell invasion.• Collaborated with Lathia lab at the Cleveland Clinic for further analyses of glioblastoma associated cell adhesion candidates in the glioblastoma model and with Chabu lab at the University of Missouri, Columbia to test in fly larval tumor models• Collaborated with lab members to work on the interplay of cadherin-catenin complex with Rap1 and Protein phosphatase 1 during collective cell migration• Presented research progress at multiple national and international conferences• Mentored three undergraduate students in the lab with techniques, project management and poster presentations• Co-authored four publications with other lab members and collaborators

Manhattan, Kansas, United States

Taught multiple lab courses as part of the PhD program in the department-1. General Microbiology lab course- prepared course material to lead the lab lecture for 40 students from different majors but mostly pre-med track; developed exams and lab reports; graded quizzes, exams and lab reports; training and demonstration of lab techniques for eight semesters.2. Human Body II and Human Body I- assisting instructors with protocol demonstrations for anatomy and physiology class of 40 students from pre-med track for three semesters. 3. Designed online and hybrid mode of training as required when classes were moved to remote session4. Maintained a high score on teaching evaluations.

Manhattan County, Kansas, United States

• Developed a hands-on activity about fly genetics titled “Madame Mutation: Fortune Teller of Fruit Flies” through the fellowship.• Participated in Science Saturdays and Game days on campus to display exhibits and communicate Science to visitors.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

• Collaborated with research groups in the institute for structural analysis of HLA B*40 allele- designed and performed experiments for protein expression and purification• Collaborated with other members of the lab to identify inflammation and T cell response-associated genes in breast tumors.• Contribution to STR (Short Tandem Repeat) typing diagnostics from the bone marrow transplant unit of the hospital wing • Assisting other lab members for endogenous gene validation in Breast cancer cell lines.• Co-authored two publications

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Assisted on meta-analysis, data generation, figure designing and manuscript preparation in Dr. Narendra Joshi's lab.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

• Contributed to a project in Dr. Narendra Joshi's lab as a requirement for Master’s thesis • Contributed to experiment design and development of the project utilizing molecular biology and immunostaining approaches. • Analyzing and interpreting data for generation of dissertation • Assisted senior graduate students in the lab with major projects and trained on key lab techniques.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Cell/Cellular And Molecular Biology, 4.0

Master Of Science (M.Sc.), Biotechnology

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biotechnology