Krittika Mittal
Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
[email protected]; +1 514 618-9269
Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
[email protected]; +1 514 618-9269
SUMMARY
I am a broadly trained biomedical engineer and ecotoxicologist with over 8 years’ research experience in molecular biology and biochemistry
- My expertise in the lab, and interest in and penchant for conducting training, helping others with assay and workflow optimzation and troubleshooting has led me to be interested in a Field Application Scientist/Specialist position in molecular biology, genomics, biomedical, biotechnology, or related field.
- People know me to be a proactive quick learner; I have been able to develop my inherent aptitude to learn things quickly by working on a wide variety of instruments and methods for various applications. Getting trained on a range of instruments and techniques has, in turn, helped me develop my teaching and training skills.
- I have honed my communication, interpersonal, and time management skills through leading team projects, being involved in large collaborative studies, training postdocs, students, and technicians on various lab instruments and methods, and poster and platform presentations at national and international conferences.
- Extensive experience in using specialized instruments, assay development, optimization and troubleshooting
- Skilled bench scientist with excellent interpersonal, presentation, training and communication skills
- Interested in a role combining science, training, business, and interacting with customers
- My expertise in the lab, and interest in and penchant for conducting training, helping others with assay and workflow optimzation and troubleshooting has led me to be interested in a Field Application Scientist/Specialist position in molecular biology, genomics, biomedical, biotechnology, or related field.
- People know me to be a proactive quick learner; I have been able to develop my inherent aptitude to learn things quickly by working on a wide variety of instruments and methods for various applications. Getting trained on a range of instruments and techniques has, in turn, helped me develop my teaching and training skills.
- I have honed my communication, interpersonal, and time management skills through leading team projects, being involved in large collaborative studies, training postdocs, students, and technicians on various lab instruments and methods, and poster and platform presentations at national and international conferences.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
PhD McGill University, Macdonald Campus (2014-2018)
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
MS University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2009-2011)
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Concentration: Biotechnology
BE People's Education Society Institute of Technology (PESIT) (2005-2009)
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Bangalore
Major: Biotechnology
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
MS University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2009-2011)
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Concentration: Biotechnology
BE People's Education Society Institute of Technology (PESIT) (2005-2009)
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Bangalore
Major: Biotechnology
SKILLS
- Wet lab techniques including RNA/DNA isolation and quantification, reverse transcription, qPCR (single target, multiplex, RT2 Profiler PCR arrays), RNA sequencing, pyro-sequencing , multi-element analyses, protein quantification
- Instruments including qPCR (Bio-Rad CFX Touch 96/384), automated liquid handlers (QIAgility, QIAcube), QIAxpert, QIAxcel, PyroMark Q24, microplate readers (Biotek Synergy HT Gen 5), liquid scintillation counter (PerkinElmer Wallac 1450 Microbeta Trilux), Bruker S2 Picofox
- Miscellaneous: in vivo and in ovo studies, cell culture, dissections, protein quantification, ELISA, high throughput cell-free assays
- Computer: proficient in MS Office suite, XL STAT, JMP; intermediate proficiency in R
- Communication: provided training to lab personnel, poster and platform presentations at national and international conferences
- Languages: Fluent in English, Hindi, Tamil, intermediate in German, French and Sanskrit
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada 2018-present
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu
PhD Candidate, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada 2014-2018
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu
Research Associate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 2011-2013
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu.
Intern, GI Molecular Motors Lab, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA 2010
Suprevisor: Prof. Khalil Bitar
Intern, Inbiopro Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India 2009
Supervisor: Hardik Valera
Studying the effects of different media components on the growth of rE.coli, recombinant protein expression and lysis efficiency
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu
- Develop novel, multi-organ, in vitro, toxicity testing methods for non-traditional models (using fish, chicken) to improve biological relevance of resulting in vitro data in ecotoxicology
- Applying alternative toxicity testing methods to real world situations with a focus on how toxicity of pristine nanoparticles and nanoparticles released from painted surfaces differ in outcomes such as uptake, gene expression, enzyme activity, and cell viability
- Trained undergraduate and graduate students, technicians and postdocs on various instruments and methods
- Prepare manuscripts for publication and SOPs for various lab instruments and methods, and present research at national and international conferences
PhD Candidate, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada 2014-2018
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu
- Developed alternative methods of studying disruption in gene expression related to endocrine function and xenobiotic metabolism in embryonic chicken liver using slice culture
- Examined the evolving field of ecotoxicology and assessed resource-efficiency of alternative toxicity testing methods
- Planned and executed an in vivo study to examine toxicogenomic and biochemical effects of in vivo dietary 17β-trenbolone (17βT) in Japanese quail (JQ)
- Investigated the effects of in ovo and dietary 17βT exposure on the JQ hepatic transcriptome
- Trained undergraduate and graduate students, technicians and postdocs on various instruments and methods
- Prepare manuscripts for publication, and present research at national and international conferences
Research Associate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 2011-2013
*Supervisor: Dr. Nil Basu.
- Identified and optimized high throughput cell-free receptor binding and enzyme activity screening assays to test neurochemical effects of chemicals in multiple species
- Examined the effects of mercury and organophosphate flame-retardants in chicken and Japanese quail; investigated epigenetic changes (methylation) in DNA from multiple species; developed exemplary bench-laboratory skills
- Trained students and technicians on various instruments and techniques
Intern, GI Molecular Motors Lab, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA 2010
Suprevisor: Prof. Khalil Bitar
- Studied the genetic differences between circular, longitudinal and internal anal sphincter cells of the gastro-intestinal tract.
- Performed force transducer experiments to test bioengineered gastro-intestinal tract smooth muscle implants and tissues from rats, mice and rabbits.
Intern, Inbiopro Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India 2009
Supervisor: Hardik Valera
Studying the effects of different media components on the growth of rE.coli, recombinant protein expression and lysis efficiency
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed Manuscripts
Book Chapter
- Mittal K., Rahim A.A., George S., Ghoshal S., & Basu N. Characterizing the effects of titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles released from painted surfaces due to weathering on zebrafish (Danio rerio). Submitted to Nanotoxicology.
- Mittal K., Crump D., Head J., Hecker M., Hogan N., Xia J., Hickey G., Maguire S., & Basu N. Can Alternative Toxicity Testing Methods Be More Efficient Than Traditional Methods? Submitted to Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
- Mittal K., Crump D., & Basu N. (2019). A Comparative Study of Three Alternative Avian Toxicity Testing Methods: Effects on Hepatic Gene Expression in the Chicken Embryo. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. DOI: 10.1002/etc.4555.
- Arini A., Mittal K., Dornbos P., Head J., Rutkiewicz J., & Basu N. (2017). A cell-free testing platform to screen chemicals of potential neurotoxic concern across twenty vertebrate species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36(11), 3081-3090.
- Bradley M., Rutkiewicz J., Mittal K., Fernie K., & Basu N. (2015). In ovo exposure to organophosphorous flame retardants: survival, development, neurochemical, and behavioural changes in white leghorn chickens. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 52, 228-235.
- Head, J. A., Mittal, K., & Basu, N. (2014). Application of the LUminometric Methylation Assay to ecological species: tissue quality requirements and a survey of DNA methylation levels in animals. Molecular Ecology Resources, 14(5), 943-952.
- Rutkiewicz, J., Bradley, M., Mittal, K., & Basu, N. (2013). Methylmercury egg injections: Part 2—pathology, neurochemistry, and behaviour in the avian embryo and hatchling. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 93, 77-86.
- Miyasaka, E. A., Raghavan, S., Gilmont, R. R., Mittal, K., Somara, S., Bitar, K. N., & Teitelbaum, D. H. (2011). In vivo growth of a bioengineered internal anal sphincter: comparison of growth factors for optimization of growth and survival. Pediatric Surgery International, 27(2), 137-143.
Book Chapter
- Arini A., Mittal K., & Basu N. (2018). Cell-free assays in environmental toxicology. A Systems Biology Approach to Advancing Adverse Outcome Pathways for Risk Assessment. Springer, Cham, pp. 31-41.
PRESENTATIONS
Platform Presentations
Selected Posters
- Mittal K, Rahim A.A, Ghoshal S, George S, & Basu N. Studying elemental release of engineered nanoparticles used in outdoor painted surfaces with a focus on exposure and toxicity in aquatic models. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry,, Toronto, 2019.
- Mittal K, Rahim A.A, Ghoshal S, George S, & Basu N. Studying elemental release of engineered nanoparticles used in outdoor painted surfaces with a focus on exposure and toxicity in aquatic models. Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop, Quebec City, 2019.
- Mittal K, Crump D, Head J, Hecker M, Hogan N, Xia J, Hickey G, Maguire S, & Basu N. Can Alternative Toxicity Testing Methods Be More Efficient Than Traditional Methods? Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Sacramento, 2018.
- Mittal K, Crump D, & Basu N. Comparing effect of chemicals on gene expression using chicken hepatocyte, liver slice culture and in ovo injected embryonic liver. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Minneapolis, 2017.
- Mittal K, Crump D, & Basu N. Comparing effect of chemicals on gene expression using chicken hepatocyte, liver slice culture and in ovo injected embryonic liver. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Minneapolis, 2017.
- Mittal K, Henry P.F.P, Cornman R.S, Sprague D.T, Basu N, & Karouna-Renier N.K. Differential hepatic gene expression analysis of in ovo and dietary 17β-trenbolone effects on Japanese quail using RNA-Seq. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Orlando, 2016.
- Mittal K, Johnston T, & Basu N. In vitro tissue culture model to study neuroendocrine disruption in embryonic chicken. International Neurotoxicology Association - 15, Montreal 2015.
Selected Posters
- Mittal K, Rahim A.A, Ghoshal S, George S, & Basu N. Studying elemental release of engineered nanoparticles used in outdoor painted surfaces with a focus on exposure and toxicity in aquatic models. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Sacramento, 2018.
- Mittal K, Bidinosti L, & Basu N. Development of an in vitro slice culture model for toxicological evaluation of model test compounds in chicken embryo liver. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Orlando, 2016.
- Mittal K, Crump D, Head J, Hecker M, Hogan N, Xia J, Hickey G, Maguire S, & Basu N. Is alternative toxicity testing faster, cheaper and more efficient than traditional methods? Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Orlando, 2016.
- Mittal K, Henry P.F.P., Armstrong B, Bidinosti L, Murphy C, Basu N, & Karouna-Renier N.K. Assessing toxicogenomic Effects of 17β-Trenbolone on the Japanese Quail Hypothalamic- Pituitary-Gonadal-Liver Axis. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Orlando, 2016.
- Mittal, K, Johnston T, & Basu N. Development of a tissue co-culture model of the chicken hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal-liver (HPG-L) axis for in vitro toxicological evaluation. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vancouver, 2014.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
2018 McGill University International Tuition Bursary 1,500 CAD
2014-2017 McGill University Graduate Excellence Award 70,000 CAD
2017 McGill Graduate Mobility Award 2,100 CAD
2017 McGill University Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award 300 CAD
2016 SETAC Student Travel Award 600 USD
2016 SETAC Student Exchange Opportunity Award 600 USD
2015 McGill University Quebec Tuition Bursary 3000 CAD
2015 McGill University Graduate Mobility Award 640 CAD
2014-2015 McGill University Differential Fee Waiver 11,500 CAD
2014 McGill University Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award 300 CAD
2005-2009 PES Institute of Technology, First Class with Distinction NA
2014-2017 McGill University Graduate Excellence Award 70,000 CAD
2017 McGill Graduate Mobility Award 2,100 CAD
2017 McGill University Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award 300 CAD
2016 SETAC Student Travel Award 600 USD
2016 SETAC Student Exchange Opportunity Award 600 USD
2015 McGill University Quebec Tuition Bursary 3000 CAD
2015 McGill University Graduate Mobility Award 640 CAD
2014-2015 McGill University Differential Fee Waiver 11,500 CAD
2014 McGill University Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award 300 CAD
2005-2009 PES Institute of Technology, First Class with Distinction NA
WHEN I AM NOT IN THE LAB
I love baking, reading, cooking sometimes, listening to music, yoga, running, playing squash, hiking and camping, trying to skate and ski, travelling and meeting new people.