Eswar Reddy Maddi, Ph.D.

◉ Spearheaded end-to-end analytical method development, execution, and reporting for LNP-based mRNA vaccine projects. ◉ Designed and developed novel LC-MS based methods for mRNA capping and PolyA tail characterization. ◉ Mentored and trained team members on LC-MS instrumentation and methods for mRNA analysis. ◉ Led analytics for Protein Nanoparticle (PNP/VLP) characterization (SEC, DLS). ◉ Gained hands-on expertise with Agilent Q-TOF LC/MS systems and Bioconfirm software.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐕𝐚𝐱 PopVax is an Indian biotechnology company based in Hyderabad building a novel second-generation mRNA platform for low-cost broadly protective vaccines via computationally driven ML-enabled antigen design, starting with an open-source pan-beta coronavirus booster vaccine. Funded via research agreements with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (India) and Vitalik Buterin’s biosecurity company Balvi. ◉ Developed, qualified, and characterized analytical methods for pDNA, mRNA, and mRNA-LNP vaccine components. ◉ Designed HPLC-CAD methods for lipid identity and content analysis. ◉ Provided critical analytical support for mRNA-LNP vaccine accelerated stability studies using IP-RP and CAD methods. ◉ Supervised a team of 4, ensuring timely in-process analysis and results delivery. ◉ Proficient with Thermo, Waters, and Shimadzu HPLC systems.

Passionate about translating biopharmaceutical research into tangible healthcare solutions, I spent the past 3.4 years at Premas as a Research Scientist, delving into diverse projects with lasting impact. Here are some highlights of my journey: ◉ Coordinated in the establishment and smooth functioning of newly set department: Analytical Research Development Laboratory (ARDL) ◉ Assisted in setting up method development, process development, data analysis, and troubleshooting for the upstream, downstream, and quality control departments ◉ Worked closely and executed projects in a timely manner and maintained project deliverables in a time and cost-effective manner. ◉ Understanding and analysis of in-process samples for better process development. Mentor team and recruit team members in building a competent analytical team. ◉ Downstream process development: design, optimize and strategize purification of therapeutic proteins and VLPs from recombinant (E. coli/ Yeast/ Pichia) expression systems for animal immunization studies, toxicity studies, and pre-clinical studies ◉ Undertaken different reagent grade protein purifications projects for Covid-19 ◉ Gained experience and optimized the Covid and Influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) purification and characterization using various analytical tools. ◉ Developed ELISA kits to check the response to Covid-19 triple antigenic vaccine

◉ Proven research lab management skills as 3rd incoming graduate student in the research group to establish a full-fledged functional research laboratory. ◉ Extended research focuses of the laboratory, and learned new techniques rapidly, developed two new bacterial expression vectors for severe to express protein targets. ◉ Increased productivity by refining a site-directed mutagenesis protocol for protein engineering and design, resulting in a more efficient process than previous methodologies used. ◉ Designed and spearheaded three research projects involving diverse experimental and analytical techniques independently interpreted the research results and summarized the research findings for presentation and publication. ◉ Aligned and coordinated the laboratory resources and equipment management as well as prepared and revised the existing laboratory protocols and SOPs for time to time to see the improvement in the experiments. Expertise and Hands-on-experience in: ✔Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography (AKTA purifier and AKTA Pure) ✔ Molecular cloning, Microbiology and Biochemistry techniques ✔Protein crystallization and structure solution ✔Fluorescence and Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy ✔Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS - Dynapro Nano star) ✔Size Exclusion Chromatography with Multi-Angle Light Scattering (SEC-MALS) ✔Mentored short term and long-term interns and thesis project students ✔Experience in macromolecular crystallography data collection and analysis from in house facility and remote access at Synchrotron source facility

◉ Assisted in conducting classes, quiz and examinations for the National Knowledge Network (Govt. of India) course Mathematical Biology (BIO 4201) offered by IISER Pune.

◉ Developed a complete lab-based curriculum on Advanced Biology laboratory course (BIO 326), which includes molecular cloning and protein expression, purification and protein crystallization modules. ◉ Conducted and assisted 26 grad students in Recombinant DNA Technology Laboratory.

◉ Assisted Professor in undergraduate Introductory Biology course (BIO 111) and graded tests, tutorials, and assignments ◉ Actively took part in bridge courses for the students from different disciplines and taught the topic of "Biotechnology and Future"

Title of the project: "Structural analysis of proteins and its interacting partners (protein complexes) by protein crystallography and single-particle cryoEM." ◉ Spearheaded in molecular biology and protein biochemistry technical handlings in the multiple protein expression and purification research projects. ◉ Overhauled lab manager with a strict time as well as team management and lab inventory maintenance. ◉ Gained proficiency in molecular cloning and site-directed mutagenesis with in-depth troubleshooting skills. ◉ In-depth knowledge of molecular biology and protein chemistry experiments, including construct design and molecular cloning.

Ph.D. thesis title: "Structural and functional insights into the proteins involved in NHEJ DNA repair and genome stability" My doctoral thesis dealt with understanding the structural basis of DNA repair and genomic stability maintaining proteins from humans and Bacteria. I added the contributing aspects of Non-homologous End Joining DNA repair mediated proteins from humans and Bacteria. And genome stability maintaining Human centriolar protein, which aids in faithful segregation of chromosomes during cell division.

Master's Dissertation on “Determination of organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) topology in the inner membrane of Brevundimonas diminuta”. Mentor: Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam; Co-Mentor: Dr. Sunil Parthasharathy. I worked on a project, where the OPH protein's topology on the inner membrane was not elusive. Utilizing a wide range of molecular biology and biochemistry methodologies, we were able to show that the C-terminus of OPH is located towards the periplasmic face.