Nimit Jain PhD

Principal Scientist and Program Lead @ GondolaBio

About

I am a seasoned experimental and computational molecular biologist. I am deeply passionate about discovering novel therapies and targets through genetic screens, and developing cutting-edge genomics-based technologies that can answer fundamental questions in molecular and cellular biology. I believe in fearless science, and my training has equipped me with the critical thinking skills and experimental design principles needed to question textbook models.I went to Yale for undergrad on a full scholarship, as one of ten students selected from India. I majored in Biomedical Engineering and won awards for highest achievements in science and engineering at my class commencement. I then did my PhD in Bioengineering from Stanford with Andy Fire (Nobel Laureate), and became an expert in genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. My PhD thesis was published as a first author article in Science magazine. I also co-authored articles in Cell and Nature, and delivered research talks at renowned conferences, including the Gordon Research Seminar on Nucleic Acids and the Vienna RNA Microsymposium. See the publications section for a full list of my papers. Post PhD, I worked with Peter Walter (Breakthrough Prize Winner) on the molecular mechanisms of cell health and rejuvenation. I started with Peter as a postdoc at UCSF, and then moved to Altos Labs as a Genomics Scientist when Peter became the Institute Director at the Altos Bay Area Institute. My research combined discovery biology and tech-dev in the fields of CRISPR screening, functional genomics, protein and RNA biochemistry, small molecule screening, and proteomics. At the same time, I had a Visiting Scholar affiliation with Mike Bassik’s lab at Stanford. I am currently building a new drug discovery program at GondolaBio, where I have the privilege of working alongside some of the most creative and focused scientists and business leaders in drug discovery and development.Beyond scientific expertise, I have been actively developing leadership and management skills. The opportunity to have a positive impact on the training and growth of younger scientists strongly resonates with me as I grew up in India, a people-oriented culture with a strong focus on education and family values.I love talking about science when I am not in the lab as well, and am available for public speaking on panels and at conferences on a range of topics, including effective strategies for crafting biology projects in drug discovery, and setting up research collaborations that combine the best elements of academia and industry.

Country

United States

City

Palo Alto

Industry

Biotechnology

Skill

Target discovery, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Genomics, Strategic Thinking, Project Management, Team Building, Research Mentoring, Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics, R (Programming Language), Data Visualization, Genetics, University Teaching, Matlab, Python, C++, C, Data Analysis, Algorithms, Medical Devices

Experience

Principal Scientist and Program Lead

GondolaBio

2026-3 - Present · 7 mos

Palo Alto, CA

Building a new drug discovery program

Genomics Scientist, Walter Lab, UCSF/Altos Labs, and Visiting Scholar, Bassik Lab, Stanford

Altos Labs

2021-7 - 2026-2 · 4 yrs 8 mos

In the lab of Peter Walter at Altos and in collaboration with Mike Bassik's lab at Stanford, I led projects on the molecular mechanisms of cell health and rejuvenation in mammalian cells. My work combined discovery biology and tech-dev in the areas of CRISPR screening, functional genomics, protein and RNA biochemistry, small molecule screening, and proteomics. I also developed managerial skills by mentoring four research assistants and one graduate student.

PhD researcher, Lab of Andy Fire (he discovered RNA interference), Stanford University

Stanford University

2014-5 - 2021-6 · 7 yrs 2 mos

• Integrated next-generation sequencing, microfluidics, bioinformatics and biochemistry approaches to discover mechanisms underlying an unusual activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases to regenerate certain RNA templates from RNA, with implications for RNA serving as a genetic material in cellular life • Discovered a mechanism for the origin of replicating RNAs from non-replicating materials • Mentored two undergraduates and a graduate student

Teaching Assistant

Stanford University

2013-4 - 2020-6 · 7 yrs 3 mos

Stanford University

As Primary Lecturer -BIOS 230, Biomedical Data Analysis in MATLAB, Spring 2015 • Designed three week official Stanford course on programming and image processing • Attended by 30 postdocs and graduate students from diverse biomedical research areas As Teaching Assistant -GENE 242, Genetics of Viral Emergence and Emerging Viruses, Spring 2020 Course Director: Dr. Andrew Fire (Stanford Pathology) Course Participants: Graduate students, undergrads, postdocs -BIOE 103, Systems Physiology and Design, Spring 2014 and Spring 2013 Course Director: Dr. Karl Deisseroth (Stanford Bioengineering) Course Participants: Undergrads and graduate students -NBIO 206, The Nervous System, Winter 2014 Course Director: Dr. Tirin Moore (Stanford Neurobiology) Course Participants: First year medical students -GENE 202, Human Genetics, Fall 2013 Course Director: Dr. Jon Bernstein (Stanford Pediatrics & Genetics) Course Participants: First year medical students For all positions: • Developed new curriculum, exams and problem sets based on recently published papers • Conducted office hours, discussion sections and review sessions

Undergraduate Researcher

Yale University

2011-1 - 2012-5 · 1 yr 5 mos

Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center

• Developed mathematical models and computational tools to extract rates of hepatic metabolism from 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy data in order to determine the role of the liver in insulin resistance • Gained experience implementing Monte Carlo simulations and non-linear parameter estimation algorithms

Undergraduate Researcher

Yale University

2010-1 - 2011-5 · 1 yr 5 mos

Fahmy Lab

• Led independent project to investigate role of particulate size in a recently discovered innate immunity pathway (“inflammasome”) from the perspective of improving nano-particle based vaccine design • Mastered techniques include murine dendritic cell isolation, nanoparticle synthesis & characterization, immunoassays, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy

Praktikant

ZEISS Medical Technology

2011-5 - 2011-8 · 4 mos

Oberkochen, Germany

• Led the conception, design and construction of two machines—one for testing diathermy in Zeiss’ eye surgery system “Visalis” during servicing and the other for validating Visalis’ light module during production and assembly • Developed a method to optimize the surgical procedure of vitrectomy based on air pressure signal characteristics • Gained experience using sensors for position (eddy current), sound intensity, light intensity (Ulbricht sphere), temperature (infra-red), pressure and rotational speed measurement, and recording data using LabView and digital oscilloscopes

Undergraduate Researcher

Yale University

2009-1 - 2009-8 · 8 mos

Scott Miller's Lab

• Led independent project to enantio-selectively synthesize a chemical moeity (“cycloheptene”) using a new reaction scheme • Characterized the desired reaction product and a salient side product, and presented design alternatives to reduce side product • Analyzed IR, NMR, COSY, MS, HPLC data, and delivered regular research updates in lab meetings