Sanya Aggarwal

B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., PhD

Enthusiastic and motivated scientist with an aptitude for learning. I strive to be the very best I can be – both individually and within a team. I have a logical and organised mind with the ability to streamline a process to ensure it is more productive. I pride myself in being efficient and meticulous in all aspects of my work. With over 7 years of academic research experience, I have gained theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of reproductive endocrinology, neuroscience and metabolism, and would now like to establish myself in an Industry environment.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture including primary cell culture and differentiation of hIPSC lines into neurons
• Proven expertise in the design and hands-on experience with conducting biochemical and antibody- based assays including ELISA
• Experience in PCR, real time PCR, Sanger sequencing and DNA/RNA extractions
• Experience with histopathology methods and knowledge of image acquisition and analysis
• Troubleshooting assays, and ability to clearly and accurately communicate study findings
• Extensive knowledge of laboratory safety practices and principles
• Provide training and guidance to newly recruited students/employees when required
• Manage and support lab team to ensure timely project delivery

I have completed my PhD in medicine under the supervision of Javier Tello at the University of St Andrews where my research focussed on investigating the role of Kisspeptin neurons in reproductive physiology using transgenic mouse models and rAAVs. After graduating and with my continued interest in neuroscience, I commenced working as a Research Assistant in the lab of Florian Merkle at the WT-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge. Here, I was involved in the NIH sponsored iPSC Neurodegenerative Disease Initiative (iNDI) as well as writing the animal project license (PPL) and subsequent execution of our in vivo experiments investigating the central mechanisms of obesity and neurodegeneration.

My research experience to date has allowed me to become skilled in animal related work (including stereotaxic surgeries, dissection, perfusion, blood draws and histology), basic molecular biology (including Q-PCR, Cloning, Sequencing, Western Blot, Southern Blot, ELISA, transfection/transduction, rAAV packaging and delivery), tissue culture (primary cells, transformed cells, establishment and maintenance of hIPSC cultures, neuronal differentiation), microscopy (epifluorescent, confocal microscopy, automated). Furthermore, my academic skillset extends to training and supervising undergraduate student projects, co-ordinating journal clubs, and presenting data and project plans to colleagues, ethical review boards and at local as well as international conferences.