Aishwarya Prakash
PhD Student
Summary
A basic scientist whose research is focused on discovering novel therapies that protect the heart against the detrimental effects of acute myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury that induce the progression to heart failure. She uses cellular and animal models of ischemia reperfusion injury to understand the underlying mechanisms of action of these various therapeutic targets to aid in ‘bench to bedside’ translation. A motivated individual with a strong work ethic to work both independently and as a team bringing a positive attitude to overcome any obstacles.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Student
Duke NUS Medical School
Singapore
08.2019 - Current
Thesis Mentor: Prof.Derek J. Hausenloy
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Sauri Hernandez-Resendiz
Project 1: ND-13 preserves mitochondrial integrity via the RhoA/ROCK1/Drp1-S616 pathway providing acute cardioprotection in myocardial infarction
Contributions:
- Optimized in vitro model of ischemia reperfusion (IRI) injury using isolated adult murine cardiomyocytes.
- Undertook studies to assess underlying cardioprotective effects of ND-13, a small DJ-1 derived peptide in preserving cell viability following IRI.
- Demonstrated novel mechanism of RhoA/ROCK1/DRP1-S616 mediated mitochondrial fragmentation that occurs following IRI which was attenuated following ND-13 treatment to preserve mitochondrial dynamics.
- Undertook mitochondrial functional assays to demonstrate improved respiration rates, ATP production, maintained mitochondrial membrane and reduced ROS upon attenuation of RhoA/ROCK1/DRP-S616 mediated mitochondrial fragmentation following IRI.
Publication in progress
Project 2: Role of small extracellular vesicles (sEV) in regulating mitochondrial function to confer acute cardioprotection in myocardial infarction
Contributions:
- Undertook studies to understand underlying acute cardioprotective effects of immortalised stem-cell derived sEVs.
- Demonstrated impaired mitochondrial respiration at tissue level after 24 hours of reperfusion and validated these findings using with mitochondrial functional assays using isolated cardiomyocytes from area at risk of post-MI tissue.
- Designed and carried out experiments to elucidate effects of sEV treatment both at transcriptomic level and at cellular functional level.
Research Intern
Harvard Medical School-MIT
MA, USA
02.2018 - 05.2019
Project Mentor: Associate Prof.Shiladitya Sengupta
Co-supervisor: Assistant Prof.Hae Lin Jang
Project: A microfluidic chip to study breast cancer tumor structure in vitro
Contributions:
- Fabricated a microfluidic chip that enabled formation of endothelial cell vasculature in collagen matrix that allowed MDA-MB231 breast cancer to extravasate and form initial tumour aggregates.
Education
Ph.D. - Integrated Biology And Medicine
Duke NUS Medical School
Singapore 8 2019 - Current
Bachelor of Engineering - Bioengineering
SASTRA University (India)
India 7 2014 - 6 2018
Skills
Technical Skills:
Logical experimental design and analysis
Optimising and standardizing various assays
In vitro model of IRI with isolated CMs
In vivo murine model of IRI
Molecular Biology Techniques
Cell Culture
Confocal Microscopy
Soft Skills:
Public speaking
Time Management
Team player
Conference Presentations
- 3rd Singapore National Cardiovascular Research Symposium, 2023, Singapore, "ND-13, a small DJ-1 inspired peptide, to induce mitoprotection in acute myocardial infarction", Oral Presentation
- American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 2023, USA, "ND-13, a Small DJ-1 Derived Peptide, Confers Cardioprotection by targeting Mitochondrial Homeostasis", Poster Presentation
- 27th Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress, 2023, Singapore, "ND-13, A Small DJ-1 Derived Peptide Mediating Big Events For Acute Cardioprotection", Oral Presentation
- SGH 24th Annual Scientific Meeting, Singapore, 2022, "Role of small extracellular vesicle-microRNAs in cardioprotection", Oral Presentation
Awards
- Best Oral presentation, 27th Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress, 2023
- First Prize in Young Investigators Award, 3rd Singapore National Cardiovascular Research Symposium, 2023
- Best Case study presentation, Eureka Virtual School (Asia + Oceania Edition), 2020
- Department Rank 1 in Systems Biology, B.Tech Bioengineering Year 4, 2018
- Department Rank 2 in Mathematics and Analog Electronics, B.Tech Bioengineering Year 2, 2016
- Deans List, Top 10%, B.Tech Bioengineering Year 1, 2015
Publications
- Hernandez-Resendiz S, Prakash A, Loo SJ, Semenzato M, Chinda K, Crespo-Avilan GE, Dam LC, Lu S, Scorrano L, Hausenloy DJ, Targeting mitochondrial shape: at the heart of cardioprotection, Basic Res Cardiol, 11/13/2023, 118, 1, 49
- Prakash A, Loo SJ, Yu F, Cong S, Beikoghli Kalkhoran S, Crespo Avilan GE, Offen D, Ramachandra C, Hernandez Resendiz S, Hausenloy D, ND-13, a Small DJ-1 Derived Peptide, Confers Cardioprotection by Targeting Mitochondrial Homeostasis, Circulation, 11/7/2023, 148, Suppl_1, A14250-
- Prakash A, Hernandez Resendiz S, The regulatory power of MicroRNAs in mediating cardioprotection, Cond Med, 06/2023, 6, 3, 70-77
- Hernandez Resendiz S, Lu S, Prakash A, Crespo-Avilan GE, Hausenloy DJ, Targeting DJ-1 for cardioprotection, Cardiovascular Research, 06/2022, 118, Supplement_1, cvac066.069
- Prakash A, Crespo-Avilan GE, Hernandez-Resendiz S, Ong SG, Hausenloy DJ, Extracellular vesicles - mediating and delivering cardioprotection in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure, Cond Med, 08/2020, 3, 4, 227-238
Timeline
PhD Student
Duke NUS Medical School
08.2019 - Current
Research Intern
Harvard Medical School-MIT
02.2018 - 05.2019
Ph.D. - Integrated Biology And Medicine
Duke NUS Medical School
8 2019 - Current
Bachelor of Engineering - Bioengineering
SASTRA University (India)
7 2014 - 6 2018