Jhanavi Sabharwal
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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About
Maintain and passage HEK cell cultures using sterile tissue culture and aseptic techniques. Perform paraffin embedding and processing of human tonsil tissue samples. Conduct CD8 immunohistochemical staining and assist with immunofluorescence workflows.
Experience
Undergraduate Research Assistant at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine – HIV Research Laboratory (2024-03 – 2026-05)
- Maintain and passage HEK cell cultures using sterile tissue culture and aseptic techniques.
- Perform paraffin embedding and processing of human tonsil tissue samples.
- Conduct CD8 immunohistochemical staining and assist with immunofluorescence workflows.
- Perform cell counting and fluorescence imaging using Echo Revolution microscopy systems.
- Organize tissue-slide databases and maintain experimental records.
Research Assistant at Sleep Research Laboratory (Dr. Christina McCrae) (2026-01 – Present)
- Conduct SPSS analyses on clinical datasets from the SPINII pain and insomnia study.
- Assist with fMRI data processing and neuroimaging workflows.
- Participate in home visits administering NIH Toolbox assessments and psychological surveys.
- Contribute to research investigating sleep interventions, pain outcomes, and opioid reduction.
- First author abstract submitted to the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
Research Intern at Moffitt Cancer Center – Mathematical Oncology Department (2025-03 – 2025-09)
- Assist with murine mammary cancer research and anesthesia-based experimental protocols.
- Gain experience with live murine models, dissections, tissue handling, and bioluminescence imaging.
- Conducted data analysis on anesthesia research project independently.
Research Assistant at Spartina Gene Expression Project
- Performed RNA extraction from Spartina samples using liquid nitrogen tissue homogenization.
- Prepared biological samples for downstream gene-expression analyses.
- Contributed to manuscript preparation examining transcriptional responses to environmental stressors.
- Expected middle-author manuscript submission (2026).
Research Assistant at Advanced Genetics & Cell Biology Research Laboratory (2025-08 – 2025-12)
- Designed mRNA primers for gene-expression studies.
- Conducted transcription-level analyses of cellular responses.
- Investigated dose-dependent effects of saccharin exposure on murine lymphocyte survival.
- Applied molecular biology techniques to evaluate gene-regulatory mechanisms.
Emergency Medical Responder at USF Student Health
250+ hours
Health Support Staff at USF Student Health
90+ hours
Clinical Volunteer at AdventHealth
Emergency Department and Respiratory Unit
Education
B.S. in Biology (Medical Concentration), Minor in Biomedical Physics – University of South Florida (2026-05)
