Drexel University College of Medicine

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program M.Sc., Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India M.E., Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India Email: elamaran.meibalan@drexel.edu Advisor: Dr. James Burns

Background and Interests:

I completed my Master of Science in biological sciences and Master of Engineering in biotechnology from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India. I developed an ardent interest in molecular parasitology during my internships at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Mumbai), Central Drug Research Institute (Lucknow) and equipped myself with the molecular biology techniques. My final masters dissertation at BITS, Pilani was on the immunogenicity studies with the allelic peptide variants of two surface antigens, Apical Membrane Antigen-1 and Merozoite Surface Protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum in rodent models. I carried out immunological assays to characterize the immune response of the peptide antigens and studied the host-pathogen interactions to a greater extent. I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of molecular parasitology and to continue my research in biomedical sciences, thereby contributing immensely to the scientific world.

My hobbies include playing table tennis, watching movies and reading books.