BHAVANA SREEKUMAR
Educational Qualifications
- Integrated BS-MS Degree: Biology Major | CGPA 7.8 | Aug 2019 – May 2024
- Higher Secondary School: AISSCE score 94% | Jun 2015 – Mar 2017
- Secondary School: AISSE CGPA 10/10 | Jun 2014 – Mar 2015
Research Experience
- Research Fellow – Bigtec Labs Pvt Ltd | Aug 2024
- MS Thesis – IISER Pune | Project score-9.1/10 | June 2023 – April 2024
- Semester Project – IISER Tirupati | Aug 2022 – May 2023
- Summer Internship – NCCS Pune | May 2022 – July 2022
Technical Skills and Expertise
- Molecular Biology
- Microscopy
- Software skills
- Personal Skills
- Language skills
Conferences and Lectures
- 43rd Annual Conference of the Indian Association for Cancer Research, IISER Pune (Jan 2024)
- EMBO Satellite Meeting on DNA Damage and Repair, IISER Pune (Feb 2024)
- The TNQ Distinguished Lectures in the Life Sciences, Series II, Third Edition, TIFR Mumbai (Feb 2024)
Awards and Achievements
- Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) – Life Sciences
- Poster Presentation at IISER Tirupati
- Qualified IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) (2019)
Extra-Curricular Activities
- Participated in Inter IISER sports meet (IISM) 2022: Women’s Kho-Kho
- Coordinated and participated in cultural events
- Trained in Carnatic Vocal Music
References
- Dr. Mridula Nambiar | Assistant Professor Department of Biology, IISER Pune
- Dr. Viji Subramanian | Assistant Professor Department of Biology, IISER Tirupati
Skills: Primer designing, PCR, gDNA isolation, RNA isolation, Bacterial and Yeast culturing, ELISA, Western Blot, Gel electrophoresis, Immuno-precipitation, Microscopy, Software skills (Snap gene, Origin, Plate Readers), Language skills (English, Hindi, Malayalam), and more.
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Cover Letter:
Dear Hiring authorities.
I am reaching out to express my keen interest in a project position within your group. As a BS-MS graduate from IISER Tirupati I am equipped with a solid foundation and expertise in molecular biology and genetics. I am enthusiastic about an opportunity to contribute to your organisation, and the field of molecular biology. My academic background, hands-on research experience, and technical skills in molecular biology will be an asset to the team.
At IISER Tirupati, the five-year program allowed me to explore various disciplines, including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Earth Science. In my third and fourth years, I specialized in biology wherein I gained interest in molecular biology and pathology. Further, working in labs helped me develop a passion for the scientific community over the last two years and also helped me gain hands-on experience in many techniques. Additionally, my previous lab experiences have motivated me to think beyond what is known and also devise methods to test for our hypotheses. My technical skills encompass a broad range of molecular biology techniques, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, western blot, molecular cloning, RNA-seq sample preparation, and various chromatography methods etc. Additionally, my proficiency in software tools like SnapGene, Pymol, and Microsoft Office enhance my research productivity.
During my Masters thesis at IISER Pune under the guidance of Dr. Mridula Nambiar, I investigated the molecular changes upon ectopic expression of meiosis-specific cohesins in proliferating _Schizosaccharomyces pombe_. This research involved exploring the effects of DNA-damaging drugs on cells expressing meiotic cohesin subunits Rec8 and Rec11. I successfully generated and studied the fitness of various overexpression alleles under DNA damage conditions. Additionally, I prepared and analyzed whole cell transcriptomic samples, standardized growth curves, and examined the expression levels of Rec8 in different backgrounds.
Additionally, I also undertook a project at IISER Tirupati with Dr. Viji V Subramanian focusing on the role of telomeres in the distribution of DNA double-strand breaks on a short chromosome of _S. cerevisiae _during meiosis. This involved generating and analyzing circular yeast chromosomes, performing tetrad dissections, and conducting fitness assays for circularized chromosomes. The technical rigor and analytical skills developed during this project have been pivotal in shaping my research capabilities.
I am highly adaptable, a critical thinker, and thrive in collaborative environments. My ability to manage projects, present findings effectively, and work as part of a team has been demonstrated throughout my academic and research pursuits. Furthermore, my language proficiency in English, Hindi, and Malayalam facilitates effective communication in diverse settings.
I am excited about the prospect of joining your team and making a meaningful impact through our collective efforts. I see this as a valuable step towards my aspirations of building a career in research. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my research experiences and interests in more detail. I am available to start in 4-6 months and eagerly await your response. Thank you for considering my application. I sincerely appreciate your time and attention.
Best regards,
Bhavana Sreekumar
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