Akshata Korgaonkar

Leading and managing a target overview, therapeutic strategy and validation by developing experimental strategy, planning, developing, executing PoC studies and functional assays for target validation, making GO/No Go decisions for new target based on PoC Study results. • iPSC and neuroblastoma cell-line modeling of neurodegenerative diseases and high throughput assay development for PD programs to support target validation and antibody screening. Analyzed scientific literature to identify new targets or strategies for existing targets. • Performed in vivo studies for target MOA or drug efficacy using different rodent models of neurodegeneration and rodent behavior assays. Presented results of scientific reports. • Utilized many modalities for translational endpoints; ELISA platforms, mRNA expression, primary neuronal culture setup, Synaptic evaluation, cell-line differentiation/characterization, cell transfection, high content image-based assays. • Managed internal cross-functional and external collaborations with CROs for timely completion of company goals. • Setup IHC core facility identifying right candidate for image analysis and wet lab setup.

Planned and conducted pre-clinical studies to screen and develop monoclonal antibody for treatment of Neurological disorder, alliance management, operational management, EH&S compliance, PO management, purchasing, writing & maintaining detailed scientific reports., • Developed in-vitro cell-based assays to screen candidate monoclonal antibodies. • Optimized assays to study cell signaling and MOA of target, coordinated efficacy studies in rodent models with CROs.

Design, plan and execute in-vitro rodent studies to analyze grey matter elements and their role in neural circuit injury using model of Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease, worked on development of MRI sequence sensitive to synaptic density analysis. • Performed comprehensive surgical techniques to generate rodent models of diffuse and focal TBI to study post traumatic synaptic alteration. Used super resolution imaging and image analysis technique determined immune factor. • Conducted behavioral studies in rodents to understand long term effect of TBI.

Implemented in-vivo structural imaging of hippocampal cells at micron-scale resolution during the formation of morphine-context associations using Virtual Reality based spatial navigation behavioral paradigm Performed complex stereotaxic surgeries for virus microinjection and brain tissue extraction and window implant for live 2-photon imaging paradigm

Designed and executed in vitro cell culture experiments on embryonic mouse pure hippocampal neurons to study MOA of target drug receptor. Performed Western blots, flow-cytometry and immunohistochemistry to assess drug receptor. • Conducted patch clamp electrophysiology experiments with drug treatments in pure neuronal culture to study signaling pathways in neurophysiological effects of immune receptor signaling; in-vitro assays to assess neuro-immune interaction after trauma. • Bred, genotyped and maintained KO mouse colonies, performed in-vivo and ex-vivo studies using KO animals.

Designed and executed experiments using in-vitro electrophysiology, immunohistology and stereology to understand physiological mechanisms underlying pathology of TBI; Performed in-vitro assays including ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western blots, PCR, immunohistochemistry to assess cellular and structural changes in hippocampus after TBI. • Conducted acute slice physiology experiments with drug treatments to study mechanisms in post-traumatic increases in dentate excitability post TBI. Identified novel link of innate immune receptor to neurophysiology after brain injury. In-Vivo Projects: Performed surgical techniques to create rodent models of concussion TBI, lateral fluid percussion injury. • Implemented behavioral assays to study mechanisms of long-term behavioral deficits in rodents after concussion with Any maze & SMART software. Set up automated video tracking for chronic EEG on epilepsy & underlying mechanisms. • Performed Stereotaxic micro drug injection and electrode implant surgeries; worked on IACUC protocol writing and amendments for in-vivo behavior assays and chronic EEG recordings.

Under the guidance of Medical affairs director, Nicole Molnar, worked to understand the role of a MSL in the current healthcare environment. Explored the area covering cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Established electrophysiology set up in lab, created custom made surface, implantable electrodes, and cables for rodent behavior studies. Performed electrode implant surgeries and collected in-vivo electrophysiology recordings. Examined latent inhibition and habituation in cerebellum and hippocampus of different rat strains using self-generated electrodes and recording system.

Assisted senior Biomedical Engineers with the installation, repair and maintenance of various therapeutic measuring and recording instruments, plus modern imaging systems.

Research interest: Neuroscience, Electrophysiology, Traumatic brain injury.

Worked on project titled EMG Based Determination of Upper Extremity Virtual Trajectory as a part of Master’s Thesis. With the help of MATLAB programming built up the automatic system to generate the virtual trajectories from EMG analysis.