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Nithya Nair

Nithya Nair

Research Assistant

Followers of Nithya Nair523 followers
location of Nithya NairColumbia, Missouri, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Postdoctoral Fellow, AHFEA

  • Education

    • Ramnarain Ruia College

      2015 - 2018
      Bachelor of Science - BS Life Sciences A

      Activities and Societies: National Service Scheme, Yuvak Biradri, Centre for Slum Studies My Bachelor's degree was in the field of Life Sciences which included zoology as well as chemistry in the first two years. The initial base of chemistry has proved to be very useful, especially, biochemistry. Microbiology, Horticulture, animal husbandry were taken as side subjects. The final year was designed to be specialized in Genetics and Immunology, Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Ecology Conservation and Management. I have participated in… Show more My Bachelor's degree was in the field of Life Sciences which included zoology as well as chemistry in the first two years. The initial base of chemistry has proved to be very useful, especially, biochemistry. Microbiology, Horticulture, animal husbandry were taken as side subjects. The final year was designed to be specialized in Genetics and Immunology, Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Ecology Conservation and Management. I have participated in various research projects like Plant tissue culture, understanding the medical value of Myristica fragrans and Ixora coccinea, a deeper study of the Indian traditional knowledge in medical care and their necessity in the present generation, effect of cold drinks and artificial food colours on the heartbeat of Daphnia magnus and their probable effects on the human body. Show less

    • The University of Edinburgh

      2018 - 2019
      Master of Science by Research Biomedical Sciences Distinction

      Activities and Societies: Biomedical Postgraduate Society (Event support) Since I had a lack of practical knowledge and understanding of biomedical research, I decided to pursue this Masters by Research degree. This programme gave me the chance to work with two 20-week research projects, one which related more to an academic lab-based environment and the second one was based on clinical research and had an industrial environment, which in the long run, helped me decide which one would work the best for me.

    • The University of Edinburgh

      2019 - 2024
      Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Integrative Physiology (Biomedical Sciences)

      Activities and Societies: President - Biomedical Postgraduate Society (2019-2021) Student representative - Health and Safety Committee, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences (2020 - Present) Established the Health and Wellbeing Society (2021 - Present) My PhD research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of development of cardiac defects in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). I have performed morphological, functional and molecular analysis on the heart in mouse models of SMA using high resolution in-vivo imaging and immunohistological techniques. Currently, I have established a standardised protocol to normalise the various parameters for cardiac measurements, especially in a multi-systemic disorder like SMA. I am also performing an… Show more My PhD research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of development of cardiac defects in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). I have performed morphological, functional and molecular analysis on the heart in mouse models of SMA using high resolution in-vivo imaging and immunohistological techniques. Currently, I have established a standardised protocol to normalise the various parameters for cardiac measurements, especially in a multi-systemic disorder like SMA. I am also performing an extensive multi-timepoint, multi-model proteomic study to learn the tissue-specific role of Smn in the heart and to investigate the use of various interventions to improve the cardiac structure and functioning in SMA. Alongside the research for my PhD, I supervised two Honours students, a summer placement student and a Masters student. Show less

  • Experience

    • SUEZ

      Dec 2015 - Feb 2016
      Research Assistant

      Internship programme, surveying and planning for improvising the water distribution, preventing water wastage and to detect the illegal water connections in Mumbai

    • Carmel Educational Group

      Jun 2016 - Jul 2017
      Teacher

      Teaching Science for 9th and 10th grade students, helping in the weekly assessment of the student

    • Center for Discovery Brain Sciences

      Sept 2018 - Mar 2019
      Graduate Student Researcher

      I was working on identifying and understanding the presence of cardiac defects in various mouse models of SMA under the guidance of Dr Lyndsay Murray. For this, I was comparing the cardiac abnormalities in different models with different severity by studying the morphology, quantifying cell death by immunostaining Activated Caspase-3, and observing p53 and related transcripts by performing qRT-PCR. I also did a comparison analysis for mice that were ASO treated at Post-natal day 1 and 6 respectively, to understand the benefits of early drug delivery on the heart. Show less

    • Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences

      Apr 2019 - Aug 2019
      Graduate Student Researcher

      I have worked with Prof Joanna Wardlaw and was a part of the 'Mild Stroke Study 3' (MSS3) clinical trial, a global study organised to understand the symptoms, brain lesion chances and blood vessel abnormalities that lead to small vessel diseases. My research here was particularly focussed on improvising the cerebral blood flow quantification in arterial spin labelling (ASL - a type of MRI) scan

    • Biomedical Postgraduate Society

      Sept 2019 - Jan 2022
      President

      Successfully ran the postgraduate society and organised academic, fun and welfare activities for students. Managed a team of 6-8 members to take care of the organisation, financial and promotional aspects of the society. A lot of these had to be redesigned and accommodated to a hybrid mode during the COVID-19 pandemic. Represented the school and the society at a variety of university level events, induction programmes and school open days. Trained future members to run the society.

    • Central and BMS Health and Safety Committee

      Jan 2021 - Jan 2024
      Committee Member

      The committee is responsible for the health and safety of the School of Biomedical sciences (UoE) for the central campus. I am currently acting as the student representative on the panel. My primary responsibilities include raising student issues and concerns to maximise the protection of health of research students along with participating in other committee discussions.

    • The Brilliant Club

      Apr 2021 - Dec 2021
      Biology Tutor

    • Health and Wellbeing Committee

      May 2021 - Jan 2024
      Founding Member

      Established the Health and wellbeing group to maintain and improve the mental health and wellbeing for students and staff associated to Biomedical sciences working at the University of Edinburgh Central campus. Since the group was established, we have increased the number of trained mental health first aiders in campus, organised relaxation events like 'Pause for coffee' or the crocheting group, introduced a quiet room, etc.

    • The University of Edinburgh

      Sept 2021 - Apr 2024

      SIDB Postdoctoral Research FellowWorking with Prof Peter Kind and Dr Sarfaraz Nawaz on Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) Working with Dr Lyndsay Murray 1. To assess the effect of chronic motor unit enlargement on motor neurons in SMA using LCM2. Drug administration and maintenance of mice for multiple therapies For the year 2022-2023, in the first semester I was a tutor for CTO2 and BMS2 courses. I have facilitated various sessions for the course ‘Research skills in Reproductive Biology’, and assessed CTO2 submissions. I have marked and gave written feedback for the Vision practical from ‘Neuroscience 3’ course. In the year 2020-2021, I got a demonstrating opportunity with the BMTO for BMS and BMS2 practicals. This was my first experience with undergraduates. In the year 2021-2022, I extended my demonstrating sessions for courses like MII2, MBChB1, Neuroscience 3, etc.

      • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

        Jan 2024 - Apr 2024

      • Postdoctoral Researcher

        Sept 2023 - Dec 2023

      • Tutor

        Sept 2022 - Sept 2023

      • Laboratory Demonstrator

        Sept 2021 - Sept 2023

    • University of Missouri-Columbia

      May 2024 - now
      Postdoctoral Research Fellow

      Working with Dr Chris Lorson on SMARD and Charcot-Marie Tooth disease

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Certificate of Basic disclosure

      Disclosure Scotland
      Feb 2020

    • STEM Ambassador

      STEM Ambassadors
      Jun 2022

    • Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

      Advance HE

    • PVG scheme membership

      Disclosure Scotland
      Apr 2021

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Phi Zeta Research Proposal Award College of Vetetinary Medicine, University of Missouri Feb 2025
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Edinburgh Teaching Award (Category 1) The University of Edinburgh Aug 2023
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      People's Poster Award Edinburgh Neuroscience Mar 2023
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Best Image Award 2022 The Anatomical Society Nov 2022
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Hampton Award The Euan MacDonald Centre Jun 2021
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship The University of Edinburgh Mar 2019
    • Awarded to Nithya Nair
      Principals Career Development PhD Scholarship The University of Edinburgh Mar 2019

  • Volunteer Experience

    • Project Lead

      Issued by National Service Scheme on Jun 2015
      National Service SchemeAssociated with Nithya Nair

    • Volunteer

      Issued by Yuvak Biradri on Jun 2015
      Yuvak BiradriAssociated with Nithya Nair

    • Student Volunteer

      Issued by Citizens Association for Child Rights-CACR on May 2016
      Citizens Association for Child Rights-CACRAssociated with Nithya Nair

    • Head of Events

      Issued by Biomedical Postgraduate Society (UoE) on Oct 2018
      Biomedical Postgraduate Society (UoE)Associated with Nithya Nair