Thulasi Thiruvallur Madanagopal

Wilfrid Laurier University

07.2024 - Current

Research Scientist, Mitochondrial involvement in decreasing the proliferation of cancer cells when exposed to electromagnetic field stimulation, Dr. Nirosha J. Murugan, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON.
Role of mitochondria and TRP channels when cancer cells are exposed to electromagnetic field stimulation .
Culture of cancerous cell lines
Treating them with electromagnetic fields
Testing the cell viability, cytotoxicity, gene and protein expression, immune response to the fields, mitochondrial activity, mitochondrial biogenesis, and data analysis , among others.

Center for Addiction and Mental Health

05.2019 - 08.2023

Therapeutic small molecules and short peptides targeting MECP2 mutations in ID, Rett syndrome, and ASD patients, with Dr. John B Vincent, Molecular Neuropsychiatry and Development (MiND) Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Cloning mutation in the MECP2 gene into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) and other human cell lines using lentiviral and bacterial vectors
Differentiating hiPSC into neural and osteogenic lineage; treating hiPSC and lymphoblast from patients with Rett syndrome using small molecules and small peptides
Performing molecular techniques: RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR for gene expression analysis, custom ELISA for MECP2, western blot for protein analysis, cycloheximide chase assay for degradation kinetics
Conducting imaging using Confocal microscopy, FRAP, and performing image processing and data analysis
Mentoring undergraduate students in their summer placement projects and graduate students in their research projects
Contributed to the publication of multiple high-impact research articles, showcasing the significance of the findings.
Leveraged interpersonal and communication skills to mentor PhD, graduate and undergraduate students.

National University of Singapore

12.2013 - 07.2014

Osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells in chitosan-gelatin based hydrogel under Dr. Toh Wei Song, at Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Optimization, preparation, and characterization of chitosan-gelatin-beta glycerophosphate hydrogel
Cultivation of human bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) in both 2D and 3D hydrogel environments
Induction of osteogenic differentiation of BMSC within hydrogel scaffolds
Evaluation of osteogenic differentiation using immunohistochemistry for osteogenic markers
Imaging analysis utilizing Confocal microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy for 2D and hydrogel scaffold assessment
Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Sultan Qaboos University

10.2012 - 03.2013

Effects of Ethnopharmacological products on Animal Models with Acute and Chronic Renal Failure, under Prof. Badreldin Ali, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
Creation of acute and chronic kidney disease models in mice and rats
Treatment of kidney disease using Ethnopharmacological products
Small animal handling: Proficient in administering injections (i.p., i.m., i.c., i.v.), oral administration, perfusion fixation of rats and mice, blood and organ collection, and suturing techniques
Conducting behavioral studies including the Acetic acid test, hole board test, forced swimming test, activity cage test, and Rotorod assessment
Histopathology skills encompass fixing tissues, tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, conducting IHC (Immunohistochemistry), and morphometric analysis
TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy): Experienced in sample preparation, embedding, and sectioning for ultrastructural analysis
Biochemical analysis: Proficiency in analyzing parameters such as urea, creatinine, total protein, drug-metabolizing enzymes, etc
Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
Streamlined project workflow, optimizing team efficiency through development of detailed scheduling and tracking systems.
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Skilled in performing ELISA assays for quantitative analysis of various biomolecules

Summary