Katerina Pilala

Biologist with over five years of experience in molecular biology, translational oncology research, and molecular diagnostics. Skilled in a wide range of laboratory techniques, including PCR, cell culture, DNA/RNA analysis, next-generation sequencing, and biomarker research. Experienced in experimental design, data analysis, and laboratory documentation.

Seeking a position in a biochemical or molecular diagnostics laboratory where I can contribute to high-quality research and laboratory operations.

Visiting Research Scholar at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (2025-11 – 2026-04)

IKY–Fulbright Fellowship. Project title: "Harnessing DNA Methylation Editing Towards Bladder Cancer Therapeutics"

• Development and optimization of CRISPR/dCas9-mediated targeted DNA methylation editing systems
• Design, cloning, and validation of plasmid constructs and guide RNAs
• Lentiviral vector production and transduction for the generation of engineered bladder cancer cell lines
• Mammalian cell culture and execution of molecular and cellular biology experiments under standardized protocols
• DNA methylation analysis by pyrosequencing and protein expression analysis by Western blot
• Development, optimization, and validation of experimental protocols to ensure reproducibility and data quality
• Analysis, interpretation, and documentation of experimental data, including preparation of technical reports

Research Associate - Research Project EpiRNA at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2024-01 – 2025-09)

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology. National Grant - HFRI-3765. Project title: "Study of m6A epitranscriptome in bladder cancer"

• Project management
• Collection, curation, and management of patients' demographic, clinicopathological, and follow-up data. Responsible for organizing and updating biobank and clinical database via collaboration with "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, Greece in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles and National legislation
• Execution, optimization and validation of experiments under strict protocols, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with quality standards including: Biological material collection - processing - Nucleic acid purification, m6A RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assays, Optimization of RNA & m6A RNA sequencing Protocols (DNBSEQ-G400 platform), In vitro functional assays, Bioinformatics & Statistical analysis
• Scientific writing / participation in International and National Scientific meetings: 3 publications in peer-reviewed journal Journal of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Therapy, and International Journal of Cancer; 10 conference presentations in scientific meetings

Research Assistant - Research Project UROMARK at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2020-01 – 2023-12)

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology. National Grant - T2EDK-02196. Project title: "Non-invasive molecular method for diagnosis and personalized post-treatment monitoring of bladder cancer" (RESEARCH-CREATE-INNOVATE)

• Patients' personal, clinicopathological & follow-up data collection & curation. Responsible for organizing and updating biobank and clinical database via collaboration with "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, Greece in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles and National legislation
• Execution, optimization and validation of experiments under strict protocols, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with quality standards including: Biological material collection - processing - Nucleic acid purification from cells / tissue / liquid biopsy samples, Optimization of Targeted DNA, RNA & small RNA sequencing protocols, Generation of bladder cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models - in vivo modeling, Bioinformatics analysis (FastQC, Trim Galore, miRdeep2, MINTMAP, STAR, DEseq2, VariantCaller, Oncomine Bladder workflow software) & Statistical analysis using SPSS Statistics software

6-month mobility scholarship in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology – University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (2025-11 – 2026-04)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2021-01 – 2026-12)

M.Sc. in Clinical Biochemistry - Molecular Diagnostics – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2018-01 – 2020-12)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Biology, General – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2013-01 – 2018-12)