Trainee Tuesday – Alekh Paranjapye
Welcome to ASPE Trainee Tuesday!
Here at the Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), we take pride in our leading team of clinicians, scientists, and trainees. Our trainees include a multi-disciplined group of Postdoctoral Fellows, Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Clinical Research Coordinators, Data Analysts, and Research Specialists.
At ASPE, not only do our trainees have the opportunity to apply what they are learning to meaningful scientific research, but they are also encouraged to explore professional and scientific opportunities to lead them to successful scientific careers at both Penn and beyond.
Our trainees do not go unnoticed for their exceptional achievements, ongoing commitment to ASPE, and substantial contributions made to the research community.
For our next Trainee Tuesday, meet Alekh Paranjapye – Postdoctoral Scientist in the Korb lab!
Alekh has been a member of the ASPE team for three and a half years, working in Erica Korb’s lab. Keep reading to learn all about Alekh and the research he has contributed to during his time at ASPE.
- Tell us a bit about your responsibilities as your role for ASPE.
I am currently working on a project examining Nrxn1 functions in primary neurons, either in neurons derived from Nrxn1 heterozygotes or in terms of Gene x Gene interactions with loss of autism-associated epigenetic factors.
- What made you join the ASPE team?
Joke answer: Erica said to.
Real answer: I joined the lab because I was interested in more translational molecular biology and genetics, ASPE provided a highly collaborative opportunity to contribute to this end.
- Can you share a bit about your educational background, and any future academic or professional plans?
I received my bachelor’s degree in microbiology at the University of Washington (minor in philosophy, my main achievement there). After that I got my PhD in the lab of Dr. Ann Harris at Case Western Reserve University in Genetics and Genome Sciences.
I am currently most interested in working in the research and development space of biotech, optimizing and leveraging high throughput technology. However, I am also looking into working at a large non-academic research institute, as I enjoy writing manuscripts.
- What’s been the most interesting thing you have gotten the chance to work on at ASPE?
Definitely the profiling of the molecular genetics and transcriptomics of autism-associated epigenetic factors. It was the first time I got to / get to do very large scale, comparative analyses that can elucidate biology potentially impacting real people.
- What was the most valuable thing you learned during your time at ASPE?
The value and difficulty of working with many different labs across many different fields and model organisms. It shows me the cool complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders, but also how important it is to schedule and communicate with different people.
- Fun fact you’d like to share?
I’m a huge hip hop fan. If you know any good underground artists, hit me up, I need the recommendations.