Pooja Mehta

EDUCATION

College / University

St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Life Science and Biochemistry

Country

India

Lab Experience

UV-visible spectrophotometry, enzyme assays, hematology and clinical biochemistry, paper and thin layer chromatography, bacterial staining and culturing techniques, biochemical tests for microbial identification, DNA isolation, maintenance and handling of chick embryos, basic bioinformatics: data retrieval, sequence alignment and protein structure prediction.

Projects / Research

2019 – 2020: Investigated the effect of varying levels of exogenously introduced estradiol and Bisphenol A (BPA) on retinal neurogenesis in chick embryos
2018: Studied the effect of various metal ions on the specific activity of urease extracted from 3 varieties of beans (Vigna unguiculata)

Scholarships / Awards

2021 – 2022:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2018 – 2021:	1st rank holder, Department of Life Science and Biochemistry, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
2020:	1st place at the undergraduate research competition, ‘AARYA’ hosted by Nirmala Niketan College, Mumbai

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

All aspects of cell, molecular and developmental biology fascinate me, although recently, protein trafficking and degradation have most captivated my attention. I’m particularly interested in the pathways involved in the recognition and degradation of misfolded proteins, both in the cytosol as well as the endoplasmic reticulum. In the near future, I hope to study about the mechanisms involved in distinguishing a misfolded protein from those that are still being folded. Further, I would also like to explore the link between the above processes and neurodegenerative disorders as well as cancer.