Rochelle Wickramasekara Email & Phone Number

Norcross, Georgia, United States

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

 Development of effective methods for non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA  Initiation of an active collaboration between the Molecular Diagnostics Research Lab and Autism Clinic at Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH). Proposed projects:o Development of a DNA sequencing-based targeted genetic testing panel to be used in-house at BTNRH. o Determine micro-RNA expression profiles in kids diagnosed with Autism to identify biomarkers of the disease Active participation in a global research effort to perform whole genome sequencing in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. This is a multidisciplinary effort between researchers at BTNRH, Singapore, Australia and medical doctors in Sri Lanka

Omaha, Ne

 Determine the functional significance of a highly pathogenic autism spectrum disorder risk gene, KMT5B, using animal (mouse and zebrafish) and cell culture model systems.Mouse model o Cryorecovery of a ‘knock-out-first’ Kmt5b mouse model which was backcrossed and used to generate reporter-tagged lines and conditional knockouts. o Directed an extensive phenotyping of this mouse line to test autism-relevant behaviors.o Independently conducted several molecular biology experiments to answer research questions.o Genotyping, gene (RT-PCR, RNAscope in situ hybridization) and protein (western blotting, immunostaining) expression analysis. o RNA sequencing, neural proliferation (EdU) and brain lamination analysis in E14.5 mouse embryosCell line (primary and transformed) modelso CRISPR/Cas 9 genome engineering to create isogenic cell lines with frameshifting mutations of KMT5Bo Sanger sequencing and RNA sequencingo Chromatin immunoprecipitation o Utilized several biochemical assays to examine proliferation, differentiation, adhesion and apoptotic phenotypeso Flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle defectsZebrafish modelo Single cell microinjectionsCRISPR/Cas9 genome editing (Kmt5b) and morpholino knockdown. Adverse phenotypes during development were documented.  Coordinated a multidisciplinary human subjects research project between research scientists (Biology and Pharmacology & Neuroscience) and medical doctors (psychiatry) to perform whole exome sequencing on a family.  Created 20+ SOPs and protocols to conduct experiments in a newly established research lab Independently made research contributions by preparing scientific posters and oral presentations Integrally involved in the development of scientific/research documentation for publications Presented at several national conferences (Society for Neuroscience and American Society for Human Genetics)

Creighton University, Omaha, Ne

o Primary project was to characterize a novel DBA/2J x C3H/HeJ recombinant inbred mouse model that was selectively bred to have a higher fear response.o Simultaneously worked on 2-3 different research projects.o Experimental work included maintaining breeding colonies of 4-5 murine lines, performing behavioral paradigms, intraperitoneal drug injections/brain dissections, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, brain morphological analysis, western blotting, ELISAs, microarray and RNA sequencing gene expression analysis.o Trained several undergraduate and graduate students on lab technical skills o Presented research findings and science topics at several department seminars and national conferences.

University Of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Discovery of the Candidate Insect-Sensitive Mutant "Crinkle" using a Forward Genetics Screen of Populus tremula x alba Trees Experimental work included maintaining mutant plants in a green house, plant tissue culture, insect choice bioassays and molecular techniques that include DNA isolation, mutation mapping, PCR, plasmid cloning and DNA sequencing.

University Of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Investigated the dopamine mediated effects of β-Phenylethylamine in caenorhabditis elegans. Experimental work included C. elegans husbandry and transgenics, preparing primary neuron cultures from C. elegans and recording electrophysiological amperometric currents (used to study vesicle release events using a carbon fiber electrode brought in close proximity to a neuron)

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience

Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences - 2017

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Biology, General, Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa Honor SocietyMinor in Chemistry

High School Diploma

Edexcel London Advanced Level Examination

Education record

GCE Ordinary Level Examination