1. Ruchira Sharma, PhD Candidate.
261 CARL Building
Box 3054 DUMC
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: +1-919-358-5683
rsharma1810@gmail.com
http://tinyurl.com/zfsmz6g
Education & Training
PhD Thesis: Olfactory receptor accessory proteins play crucial roles
in receptor function and gene choice,
Duke University, Durham, USA, Expected Spring 2017
Advisor: Dr. Hiroaki Matsunami
Masters in Science (Biology) Thesis :Characterization and in vivo study of relA and rumA in persistent E. Coli,
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Department of Biochemistry
Advisor: Dr. J. K. Ponherkar
Bachelor of Science (Honors) Research Project I: Dictyostelium discoidium: A model system for development.,
St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Department of Life Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Radiya Pacha Gupta
Research project II: A new olfactory trap assay
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Advisor: Dr. Veronica Rodrigues
Research Experience
Aug 2009 —Current Graduate Research Assistant, Matsunami Lab, Duke University, Durham
Experience in Sequencing (NGS, pull down), immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ, Gene cloning,
Cell culture, FACS, Mouse breeding and behavior
Aug 2007 —Apr 2009 Student Researcher, Ponherkar Lab, MSU Baroda, Baroda
Enzyme Assays, Cloning, Bacterial Culture
May 2005 —Jul 2005 Student Intern, Rodrigues Lab, TIFR, Mumbai
Drosophila Genetics, Y maze
Fellowships/Awards
2016
Young Investigator Award, 17th International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste
(ISOT2016)
2016 Chairman’s Travel Award, Dept. of MGM, Duke University
2014-2016 Conference Travel Awards, Duke University Graduate School
2014 Association for Chemoreception Studies Housing Award, Duke University, 2014
2013 Commendation for Animal Handling, Duke-IACUC
2009 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Fellowship (CSIR India)
2003-2004 Best All-Round Girl Student Award, Naval Public School, Mumbai, India
Publications
2016
Ruchira Sharma, Yoshiro Ishimaru, Ian Davison, Kentaro Ikegami, Ming-Shan Chien, Helena You, Quiyi Chi, Momoka
Kubota, Masafumi Yohda, Michael Ehlers, and Hiroaki Matsunami. Olfactory receptor accessory proteins play crucial roles
in receptor function and gene choice (in submission). 2016
2005
Ruchira Sharma, Sonia Sen, Gautam Dey, and Veronica Rodrigues. A New Olfactory Trap Assay. Drosophila Information
Service, 88:115–118, 2005
Book Chapter(s)
2014
Ruchira Sharma and Hiroaki Matsunami. Mechanisms of Olfaction. In Bioelectric Nose, Integration of Biotechnology and
Nanotechnology, chapter 2, pages 23–45. Springer Netherlands, 2014
Selected Presentations
2016
Ruchira Sharma and Hiroaki Matsunami. Crucial role of olfactory receptor accessory proteins RTP1 and RTP2 in receptor
gene choice, development and odor detection. 17th International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste (ISOT2016),
Yokohama, Japan, 2016
2015
Ruchira Sharma and Hiroaki Matsunami. Crucial role of olfactory receptor accessory proteins RTP1 and RTP2 in receptor
gene choice, development and odor detection. Oral Presentation, Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Annual
Meeting, 2015
Data Analysis
R, Microsoft Excel
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2. Ruchira Sharma, PhD Candidate.
261 CARL Building
Box 3054 DUMC
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: +1-919-358-5683
rsharma1810@gmail.com
http://tinyurl.com/zfsmz6g
Professional Activities
Teaching: Genetic Approaches to the Solution
of Biological Problems (Gene regulation module) TA Fall 2014
Science Outreach: Community science events at Duke University
Lead Volunteer Science under the stars 2012
DIBS Brain Awareness Week 2012
Science of DNA - Triangle Day School 2013
NC Museum of Life & Science 2014-2015
Science of beer events for Geeks-N-Taps 2015
AChemS Community Outreach Event 2015
Education: Association for India’s Development (AID) Treasurer 2009-2015
Student Org: JYOTI (Joint Youth Organization of Indians at Duke) Publicity Chair 2010
Course Work
Genetic Approaches to the Solution of Biological Problems, Critical Readings in Genetics , Microbial Pathogenesis, Gene Regulation,
Statistical Computing for Biology.
Mentoring
Mentee Position
Helena You (Duke University) Lab Project Assistant, 2014-2016
Jocelyn Ng (Peddie School, Hightstown, N.J.) High School Summer student, 2013
Rahul Sharma (Durham Academy, Durham, NC) High School Summer student, 2012
References
Prof. Hiroaki Matsunami Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (MGM), Duke University School of Medicine.
Prof. Richard Mooney George Barth Geller Professor of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine .
Dr. Debra Silver Assistant Professor, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences Investigator.
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