Chithra Keembiyehetty
About Chithra Keembiyehetty
Chithra Keembiyehetty is a research scientist at the NIH, specializing in fluorescence techniques and transgenic mice studies. With a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Texas A&M University, she has extensive experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Chithra Keembiyehetty has been a Research Scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2010. During her tenure, she has contributed to various research projects, particularly in the areas of diabetes and metabolic disorders. She previously worked at NIH from 2005 to 2010, accumulating a total of 14 years of experience in research roles at the institution. Her work involves advanced techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry, focusing on the application of fluorescence techniques and data analysis tools.
Education and Expertise
Chithra Keembiyehetty earned her Ph.D. in Nutrition from Texas A&M University, where she studied from 1990 to 1995. She also holds a Master's Degree in Fish Nutrition from the University of Ruhuna, completed between 1985 and 1988. Her educational background supports her expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. She specializes in fluorescence techniques, transgenic mice studies, and advanced data analysis, including Next Gen Sequencing and microarray experiments.
Background in Research Positions
Chithra Keembiyehetty has held several research positions throughout her career. She worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Mississippi State University from 1995 to 2000 and as a Research Fellow at Washington University School of Medicine from 2001 to 2004. Additionally, she served as a Research Fellow at George Washington University for one year, from 2004 to 2005. These roles have provided her with a diverse range of experiences in research methodologies and techniques.
Research Contributions and Projects
Chithra Keembiyehetty has made significant contributions to diabetes research. She identified and cloned a novel variant of the GLUT9 isoform, which displayed increased expression in diabetic mice tissue. Additionally, she led a project to generate O-GlcNAcase knock out mice, enhancing the understanding of diabetes and metabolic disorders. Her work has involved presenting research findings through various formats, including oral and poster presentations, and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Technical Skills and Methodologies
Chithra Keembiyehetty possesses a range of technical skills essential for her research. She is experienced in RNA and DNA isolation, real-time PCR, and protein expression. Her expertise extends to cell culture techniques across various organisms, including bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. She utilizes advanced data analysis tools such as Partek, GeneSpring, and the Tuxedo suite for bioinformatics research, demonstrating her proficiency in managing complex data sets.