Belinda D'costa
About Belinda D'costa
Belinda D'costa is an Assistant Research Scientist at NYU Langone Health, specializing in microbiology and advanced molecular cloning techniques.
Current Role at NYU Langone Health
Belinda D'costa currently serves as an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Microbiology at NYU Langone Health. Since 2020, she has been actively involved in various research projects, particularly focusing on SARS-CoV-2. Her responsibilities include developing dendritic cell and lentiviral vector vaccines, and assessing the efficacy of a novel soluble ACE2 decoy receptor.
Previous Experience in Clinical and Academic Research
Before joining NYU Langone Health, Belinda D'costa accumulated extensive experience in research roles. She served as a Clinical Research Site Coordinator with Dr. Ruben Villa, M.D., and held multiple positions at Texas Tech University, including Research Associate, Teaching Assistant, and Graduate Student Researcher. Her work at Texas Tech University involved a variety of projects spanning biological sciences and cell and molecular biology.
Education and Certifications
Belinda D'costa has an impressive academic background. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from R. D. National College (University of Mumbai), followed by a Master of Science in Biotechnology from St. Xavier's College (University of Mumbai). Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology) from Texas Tech University. She has also obtained several certificates, including one from NYU Clinical and Translational Science Institute on Biomedical Entrepreneurship.
Specialized Skills in Molecular Biology
Belinda D'costa's skill set includes advanced molecular cloning methods, transformation techniques, and various assay techniques. She is proficient in overlap PCR, ligation, and restriction digestion for virus generation. Her expertise extends to transfection and protein production, as well as assays like PERT and cytokine bead array. She also has experience with isolation of PBMCs, differentiation of primary cells, and CRISPR genome editing.
Research Projects and Contributions
Throughout her career, Belinda D'costa has contributed to numerous research projects. These include developing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, exploring HIV host restriction factors using CRISPR, and producing proteins in CHO cells. Her work often employs advanced techniques such as Nano Luciferase assay and flow cytometry. Additionally, she manages a BSL2 laboratory, ensuring all safety policies and SOPs are strictly followed.