Sheetal Kumar Email & Phone Number

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Greater Boston Area

Cambridge, USA

• Manage in vitro predictive safety profiling assays across several therapeutic areas and modalities (small molecule, biologics, siRNA, PROTAC). Drive wet lab efforts and developed a variety of cell-based models (iPSC.
• Independently worked to establish a human iPSC-based blood brain barrier in vitro model for predictive safety, presented findings at the 13th International Conference on Cerebral Vascular Biology
• Manage a panel of early screening assays to identify safety liabilities for Amgen pipeline projects
• Co-led the RNAseq toxicogenomics investigations with senior scientists to interpret results and de-risk clinical safety findings resulting in nomination of “EVENITY” into market
• Guided postdoctoral project to implicate a novel target in hepatic lipid accumulation and validated hypotheses using various molecular and pharmacological techniques (CRISPR, high content imaging)
• Developed and optimized the Amgen-CBSS RNA extraction platform for multiple tissue sequencing

Greater Boston Area

• Supported multiple pre-clinical programs in Heart Failure, Vascular Inflammation and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH); proficiency in techniques include:
• Plate based pharmacological assays including ‘FLIPR’ and ‘Click-IT’ assays to assess target engagement, proliferation and cell viability to identify small molecule leads.
• Extensive mammalian cell culture including cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and immune cells
• Extensive biochemical and molecular biology including: Immuno-fluorescence, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting from tissues and cells
• Elucidated novel bio-markers using cytokine arrays and ELISA
• Actively presented data and findings at group and line meetings

Bethesda, Maryland, USA

• Investigated the role of RCC1-dependent activation of Ran
• GTP-regulated nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, which accelerates cell cycle and DNA damage response.
• Performed extensive DNA cloning, bacterial/mammalian protein expression and purification
• Utilized western blotting and imaging techniques to elucidate transport mechanisms
• Designed new workflow methodology to allow for multitasking which kept project on track

Cambridge, United Kingdom

• Project 1: Regulation of OGG1 in Vascular disease.
• Investigating the role of role of SIRT-1 in vascular cell senescence and atherosclerosis
• Tissue culture lab manager-responsible for maintaining the smooth running of the facility. Project 2: DNA Damage in Atherosclerosis, its association with Vulnerable Plaque
• Investigating the role of SIRT-1 in vascular cell senescence and atherosclerosis
• Tissue culture lab manager-responsible Project 3: The Role of Sirtuins in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
• Tissue culture lab manager-responsible for maintaining the smooth running of the facility.

• Project: RNase L Activation
• Expressed and purified enzymes in bacteria and Baculo viruses.
• Amplify viral stock for large scale enzyme production for functional & structural analysis like rRNA cleavage, X-Ray crystallography & NMR.
• Designed primers for sequencing, cloned and set up PCR reactions for DNA fragment amplification and restriction site insertion,
• Analyzed DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis.
• Performed enzymatic synthesis of 2’-5’ linked oligoadenylates and their purification using HPLC.

• Project: Effects of Statins on the treatment of Ovarian Cancer.
• Postulated and proved the molecular mechanism for Statin-induced Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer Cells Determined cell apoptosis using electrophoresis/western blot techniques.
• Findings were supported through Flow-cytometry, Immuno-precipitation, Western blot and Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay, (ELISA)
• Managed chemical purchases, requisites, and material safety data sheets, (MSDS)
• Collaborated with Department of Cancer biology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Master'S Degree, Bioanalytical & Clinical Chemistry, 3.9/4.0

Statins induce apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Master'S Degree, Chemistry, 3.6/4.0

Activities and Societies: Group conference-meeting organizer Group Chemical Purchaser, MSDS etc...Pyrazinamide Studies

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemistry, 3.8/4.0

•Graduated Magna cum laude

Certificate, Level 3 Line Management

Activities and Societies: Concentration in organization, communication, delegation, problem resolving, team management