Ashok Kumar
Pittsburgh
Summary
Dynamic Senior Research Technician and Lab Manager with extensive experience in experimental design and regulatory compliance. Key contributions include establishing a Covid-19 Bio-repository and developing innovative animal models, showcasing a commitment to advancing research methodologies and improving lab operations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Research Tech/Lab Manager
Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and therapeutics
Pittsburgh
12.2023 - Current
- Conducted experimentation on surgical vascular intervention in large animals (pigs, rabbits) and rodents, contributing to advancements in translational research.
- Ensured proper functioning of instrumentation and maintained comprehensive training records to support compliance and operational standards.
- Establish regulatory compliance for the center as per IACUC, IBC and EHS.
- Managed inventory and procurement processes, ensuring timely availability of supplies for uninterrupted center operations.
Senior Scientist
Kansas university Medical Centre
Kansas City
02.2019 - 11.2023
- Investigated signaling mechanisms involved in HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Our lab was perhaps first to identify some key exosomal biomarkers to establish their role in PH in HIV patients abusing recreational drugs.
- We identified the role of some key exosomal proteins and their role in covid-19 associated pulmonary vascular dysfunction. During this I isolated and characterized the exosomes.
- Established the small animal model of methamphetamine-induced Pulmonary hypertension.
- Established Covid-19 bio-repository for the med center, facilitating research and data collection.
Post-Doctoral Associate
VA medical Center
Providence
09.2016 - 02.2019
- Our research group was trying to delineate the role of NPR receptor subtypes, in altering pulmonary vascular permeability leading to vascular edema in Acute lung injury.
- Established and standardized screening model for compounds in ALI, demonstrating protective role of ANP, with ongoing exploration of underlying mechanisms.
- Developed animal model to investigate acute lung injury in mice.
- Evaluate the role of ANP in ALI through i.v. Infusion.
- Compiled and analyzed data to produce reports and manuscripts.
- I received Best Poster Award (Runner-up) for presenting the data at Annual Research symposium at VAMC (Providence RI-2018).
- Also presented my work at EB-2018 (San-Diego).
Post-Doctoral Associate
University of Florida
Gainesville
04.2015 - 08.2016
- Evaluating the role of ACE-II protein from Bacterial and Plant source for Monocrotoline induced pulmonary hypertension.
- Evaluating the role of C21 (AT2 Agonist) in Bleomycin induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.
- Standardized animal model and evaluated pharmacological interventions' effects through pulmonary arterial and systemic blood pressure measurements via jugular and carotid artery cannulation, recording pressures with Powerlab software.
- Perform Echocardiography by Vivid 7.0 (GE systems).
- Isolated blood vessels using Myograph (DMT) and conducted isolated heart studies with Langendorff (Radnoti).
- Standardized left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion model in rats to evaluate ACE-II protein's role in myocardial infarction.
- Elucidated mechanisms through immunostaining and qPCR.
Senior Scientist
APAC BIOTECH
Gurgaon
01.2014 - 04.2015
- Development and Standardization of Dendritic Cell Vaccine (APCEDEN).
- Authored technical reports for DCGI-CDSCO (India-FDA) to support regulatory compliance and product approval.
- Patent Drafting and Filing. Patent awarded # 1777/DEL/2013.
- Conducted Two CMEs at R&R hospital Delhi & Indian Association of Clinical Medicine - Non-Communicable diseases-Kolkata.
- Contributed as key team member to development of first immunotherapy-based cancer vaccine in India, shaping innovative cancer treatment.
- Standardized vaccine manufacturing and quality control processes, co-investigator on awarded patent for innovative methods.
- With our efforts the product (APCEDEN Vaccine) is currently in Phase-III clinical trials.
Associate Professor
PDM college of Pharmacy
Bahadurgarh
11.2011 - 12.2013
- Taught Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy to Undergraduate and Post Graduate students.
- Recognized for excellence in teaching Undergraduate and Post-Graduate courses.
- Established pharmacology lab to support postgraduate thesis research and enhance practical learning.
- Developed new animal models for Alzheimer's disease to advance research understanding.
- Published research in reputed journal IJEB, overcoming challenges posed by limited facilities and infrastructure.
Res. Associate
Delhi University (DIPSAR)
05.2007 - 10.2011
- Carried out Full time PhD on the title "Sexual Dysfunction in Males".
- I found that herbal/natural supplements in India marketed for Sexual dysfunction were adulterated with phosphodiesterase-V inhibitors and we reported the matter to DCGI (India-FDA).
- Based on our report strict guidelines were formulated by DCGI in regulation of such herbal compounds and action was taken against defaulters.
- I also devised a transdermal patch consisting of PDE-V inhibitor for pulmonary hypertension.
- Taught pharmacology and medicinal chemistry to undergraduate and postgraduate students, enhancing their understanding of complex subjects.
- Key Achievements: Facilitated as best teacher in Undergraduate and Post-Graduate teaching.
- Tutor in two different workshops carried out by AYUSH and ICMR to demonstrate working of HPLC and HPTLC to delegates.
Assistant Professor
IIMT College of medical sciences
Meerut
01.2006 - 05.2007
- Received recognition for excellence in teaching undergraduate pharmacology courses.
- Achieved 100% pass percentage among undergraduates, improving from 33% before my tenure.
- Taught Pharmacology to undergraduate students.
- Initiated extra classes and counseled parents to encourage students to enhance study habits.
- Started rewarding evening library session hours to motivate them to study hard and achieve success in academics.
Research Scholar
Punjabi University
Patiala
01.2004 - 06.2006
- Standardized model for remote preconditioning, estimating Protein kinase C's role in mimicking remote preconditioning to mitigate ischemia reperfusion injury.
- Led project on role of PKC in remote preconditioning.
- Conducted experiments on isolated rat hearts using Langendorff apparatus to assess cardiac responses.
Research Associate
Glenmark Research Centre
Mumbai
01.2003 - 01.2004
- I was involved in screening of Anti-asthmatic drugs particularly phosphodiesterase-IV inhibitors.
- My objective was to screen the novel compounds synthesized for the treatment of asthma which don't have the vomiting potential; moreover, I was involved in screening those compounds for their potential to cause nausea and vomiting.
- Study involved the use of G. pigs and most of the work was in-vivo.
Project Trainee
Torrent Research Center
Gandhinagar
01.2002 - 01.2003
- I worked on project "A study on design, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction".
- Established in vitro and in vivo models for screening novel 'NO' donors targeting erectile dysfunction.
- Conducted mechanistic and in vitro tolerance studies for new chemical entities to evaluate therapeutic potential.
- Conducted study using rats and rabbits to evaluate compounds.
Education
PhD -
University of Delhi
Delhi, India01-2013
M.Pharm -
BITS- Pilani
Rajasthan, India01-2002
B.Pharm -
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Manipal
Karnataka, India01-2000
Skills
- Clinical trial management
- Regulatory compliance
- Laboratory management
- Project management
- Assay development
- Experimental design
- In vivo experimentation
- Data analysis
- Drug discovery
- HPLC and MS
- ELISA and blotting
- DNA extraction
- Equipment maintenance
- Documentation management
- Funding proposal development
- Attention to detail
- Mentorship capabilities
Present Assignment
Senior Research Tech/Lab Manager, Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 12/01/23, Present
Academic Profile
University of Delhi, 2013, Delhi, India, BITS-Pilani, 2002, Rajasthan, India, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Manipal, 2000, Karnataka, India
Awards And Scholarships
- Doctoral Scholarship, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, 2008-2013
- GATE Fellowship, During Post Graduation, 94.0
Skills - Techniques
- Hemosys Software, Advanced
- Isosys Software, Advanced
- Chart software, Intermediate
- Letica instrument, Advanced
- Electron Microscopy, Basic
- Isolation of Extracellular vesicles, Advanced
- Isolation of DNA, RNA, PCR, Intermediate
- Electrical Cell Impedance Sensing, Advanced
- DMT Myograph, Advanced
- Vivid 7.0, G.E- Vivid E95, Advanced
- Analytical method development, Advanced
- Image J, Advanced
Conferences Organized
- Indian Congress of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Indian Pharmaceutical Association Convention, 03/14-15/09, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- 4th International conference on Recent Advances on Cardiovascular Sciences, 02/03-04/10, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- International Symposium on Recent Advances in Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Diseases, 12/16/09, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- 60th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, 12/12-14/08, New Delhi, India
Place
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone - Number
3527454810
Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=C-cD-cIAAAAJ
References
To be provided as required.
Training
- American Thoracic Society meet, San Diego, California, 2018, 2021, 2022
- Experimental Biology, San Diego, California, 2016
- National Seminar on Microwave Synthesis, 12/16/10, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- National Seminar on Recent Developments in Structure and Ligand Based Drug Design, 12/01/09, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- National Workshop on Developing Quality Monograph for Pharmacopoeia for Herbs and Herbal Products, 11/27-28/09, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- Post-conference Workshop on Research Methodologies on Drug Discovery & Drug Development, 03/16-17/09, DIPSAR, Delhi, India
- Drug Discovery and Development in New Millennium D3NM-2, 02/2005, NIPER, India
- 35th Annual Conference of IPS - DRDO, 2002, Gwalior, India
Disclaimer
I hereby solemnly declare that all the information provided here is as per best of my knowledge.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Conduct/Assist experimentation involving surgical vascular intervention on large animals including pigs and rabbits and on rodents.
- Maintain inventory, make purchases and maintain supplies for the center.
- Establish regulatory compliance for the center as per IACUC, IBC and EHS.
- Maintain proper functioning of instrumentation and keep training records.
Personal Information
- Passport Number: N 7668454
- Date of Birth: 01/14/76
- Gender: Male
Timeline
Senior Research Tech/Lab Manager
Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and therapeutics
12.2023 - Current
Senior Scientist
Kansas university Medical Centre
02.2019 - 11.2023
Post-Doctoral Associate
VA medical Center
09.2016 - 02.2019
Post-Doctoral Associate
University of Florida
04.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Scientist
APAC BIOTECH
01.2014 - 04.2015
Associate Professor
PDM college of Pharmacy
11.2011 - 12.2013
Res. Associate
Delhi University (DIPSAR)
05.2007 - 10.2011
Assistant Professor
IIMT College of medical sciences
01.2006 - 05.2007
Research Scholar
Punjabi University
01.2004 - 06.2006
Research Associate
Glenmark Research Centre
01.2003 - 01.2004
Project Trainee
Torrent Research Center
01.2002 - 01.2003
PhD -
University of Delhi
M.Pharm -
BITS- Pilani
B.Pharm -
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Manipal