Tara Pillai

Experience

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  Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

  Jan 2020 - Jun 2021

  WISP Scholar & Sophomore Scholar

  - Investigated adeno-associated viruses for targeted gene therapy for peripheral nerve injuries. - Used live-imaging techniques to evaluate cytoskeletal dynamics in peripheral nervous system neurons to explore the effects of Pten reduction in axon growth.Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Hong, MD

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  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Mar 2021 - Jun 2023

  Research Assistant

  - Leveraged genomic sequence data to track the transmission and evolution of the Beta and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. - Performed genomic analyses of Influenza A virus genomes in Brazil to study the circulation patterns and virus reassortment. Recognized as the first author of a published manuscript in the academic journal Virus Evolution.

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  Brigham and Women's Hospital

  Mar 2022 - Sept 2022

  Research Assistant

  - Assisted with clinical tasks and data collection for a machine learning project to fine-tune vasopressor dosage after spinal anesthesia during Cesarean sections. - Evaluated data from patient charts to help design an algorithm that will enhance the reliability of data for future preeclampsia research.