Nadee Nissanka

Thesis title: Mitochondrial DNA fate and deletion formation following double-strand breaks. I worked on projects to investigate different facets of mitochondrial biology and disease, including: identifying the molecular players mediating the formation of age-associated deletions in mitochondrial DNA, understanding the contribution of different mitochondrial complexes to diabetes, and engineering 4 novel fluorescent biosensors to study mitochondrial signaling.

Assisted with experiments to elucidate the molecular and behavioral effects in mice upon exposure to Gulf War agents (pyridostigmine bromide and permethrin).

First as a undergraduate then as a masters student, I collaborated with ophthalmologists at Weill Cornell Medical College in the design and development of mechanical method to reanimate blinking in patients with paralytic lagophthalmos.

Optimized a method for measuring Glutathione S-Transferase activity from human and nurse shark immune cells in response to exposure to different red-tide toxins (brevetoxins).

Assisted with assays on samples of manure and other waste products for various dairy farm digesters in central New York to determine potential for biogas production and fuel cells.