Vanshika Bhaniramka

Research Assistant @Campillo-Alvarado Lab @ Reed College

About

I’m a biochemistry researcher interested in how we can improve the drugs we already have — especially by making them more stable, more soluble, and ultimately more usable in real-world settings. At Reed, my work focuses on solid-form drug design and multicomponent crystal engineering. Instead of discovering entirely new molecules, I work on optimizing existing therapeutic APIs through solid-state modification to improve properties like solubility, stability, and bioavailability. My research brings together solid-state chemistry, formulation thinking, and computational modeling. I work extensively with single- and powder X-ray crystallography, along with HPLC, NMR, FTIR, TGA, and cell-based assays to characterize and evaluate new forms. I’ve collaborated with researchers at Northwestern, OHSU, PSU, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and I’m a co-first author on publications in ACS Omega and ChemPlusChem. Long term, I’m interested in translational pharmaceutical development — working on the side of science that turns molecular insight into something that actually reaches patients.

Country

United States

City

Portland

Industry

Hospital & Health Care

Skill

FIJI, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Pandas (Software), Python (Programming Language), Graph Neural Networks, Crisis Management, Project Management, Budget Management, Peer Education Training, Fluorescence Microscopy, Western Blotting, Cell Culture, Powder X-ray Diffraction, Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), FTIR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Speed Reading, Research

Experience

Research Assistant @Campillo-Alvarado Lab

Reed College

2025-1 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Reed College, Portland

• Designed multicomponent co-crystals and salts to enhance solubility, stability, and pharmacokinetics of antidiabetic, antifungal, UTI, and anticancer APIs • Conducted solid-form screening and physicochemical characterization using single-crystal & powder XRD, HPLC, NMR, FTIR, TGA • Modeled supramolecular interactions to predict drug release behavior • Performed antimicrobial and mammalian cell viability assays • Collaborated with researchers at Northwestern University, OHSU, PSU, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Organisation Leader

Night Owls–SHARE (Substance Harm Reduction Organization), Reed College

2023-8 - Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

Portland, OR

• Developed and delivered science-based harm reduction education on commonly used substances (alcohol, opioids, ketamine, cannabis) to promote safer use and reduce overdose risk, reaching 1,300+ students • Managed a $30,000 budget supporting staff stipends, organizational logistics, and event programming • Supervised and trained 20+ peers; coordinated logistics and delivered consent and substance safety orientation sessions • Led wellness programming and organized substance-free community events • CPR and Naloxone certified; provided trauma-informed support and contributed to violence prevention programming

NSF Research Fellowship @Mellies Lab

Reed College

2024-6 - 2024-9 · 4 mos

Portland, Oregon, United States

Under a million-dollar NSF & NIH grant, I am researching different microplastics-eating bacteria using a 5-strain bacterial consortium to find solutions to reduce global plastic contamination/pollution. Microplastic degradation is an unsolvable mystery: their degradation can take years and years. Today, microplastics are everywhere. They have been found to cause damage to most organs in our body & marine animals, and are even present in the air we breathe. At the Mellies lab, we want to find optimal solutions to solving this global environmental crisis!

Intern

MOTHERCELL Regenerative Centre Private LTD

2022-5 - 2022-7 · 3 mos

Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, India

I worked in the hospital’s new stem cell lab where I grew mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue. Additionally, I witnessed a stem cell surgery using Adipose derived stem cells and Bone marrow derived stem cells (this was with the patients consent).

Reseach Intern

Lotus Petal Foundation

2021-6 - 2021-8 · 3 mos

India

I interviewed kids that have studied and passed out from the schools under the foundation, and also kids who currently are studying there. This was done to track their progress with the organisation’s help, and also to make improvements in the organisation itself. This progress and feedback from interviews was reported for social media marketing, and also for the organisation to make active changes based on the feedback acquired.