Vilashini Rajaratnam, Ph.D.
About Vilashini Rajaratnam, Ph.D.
Vilashini Rajaratnam, Ph.D., is a Scientist II at Tessera Therapeutics with a background in chemistry and extensive research experience in drug discovery and analytical techniques. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has held various academic and research positions in notable institutions.
Work at Tessera Therapeutics
Vilashini Rajaratnam serves as a Scientist II at Tessera Therapeutics, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she contributes to the company's research initiatives in Somerville, Massachusetts. Her work focuses on advancing therapeutic solutions, leveraging her extensive background in chemistry and drug development.
Education and Expertise
Vilashini Rajaratnam earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing her studies from 2013 to 2016. She further pursued her academic career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry from 2017 to 2022. Her expertise encompasses drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and pre-clinical drug development.
Background in Research and Teaching
Rajaratnam has a solid background in research and teaching within the field of chemistry. She worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2020 to 2021 and held various teaching assistant positions, including roles in Analytical Chemistry and General Chemistry. Her research experience includes conducting in vitro biochemical assays and utilizing advanced analytical techniques.
Technical Skills and Specializations
Rajaratnam possesses technical skills in advanced microscopy techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fluorescence Microscopy. She is proficient in method development and validation using analytical techniques such as LC-MS, MALDI, ICP-MS, GC-MS, and HPLC. Additionally, she employs a variety of spectroscopy techniques, including FTIR, UV-Vis, and Fluorescence Spectroscopy, in her research.
Professional Experience Prior to Tessera Therapeutics
Before joining Tessera Therapeutics, Rajaratnam held several positions at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was a UWM Graduate School Distinguished Dissertation Fellow and participated in a summer research internship at MilliporeSigma. Her diverse roles included Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student Project Assistant, contributing to both research and educational initiatives.