top of page

Nikita Nangia

Profile4.PNG

Undergraduate Student and Researcher at the University of Florida

Contact Me

nangia.nikita@ufl.edu

LinkedIn:

  • LinkedIn
  • White LinkedIn Icon
Anchor 1
About

About Me

I am an undergraduate honors student at the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics with a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications and am involved with research at the University of Florida Cancer and Genetics Research Complex. I am interested in exploring the intersections between emerging technology and the biomedical/life sciences.

​

My scientific research interests include: cellular and molecular biology, human genetics, cancer biology and targeted therapeutics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, and the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the biomedical sciences.

Education & Experience

Research

Fall 2023- Present
2024-2025 University Scholar

​

Principle Investigator: Dr. Daiqing Liao, Ph.D.

University of Florida College of Medicine: Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

Screenshot 2024-11-06 204902.png
image.png

 

 

Project Title: Decoding the Gene Expression Effects of HDAC/HDACi and HDAC-targeting PROTACs for Cancer Therapy using Bioinformatics and Machine Learning

 

​​​Overview: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have emerged as promising anti-cancer therapeutics. Proteolysis Targeting chimeras (PROTACs) offer a targeted approach by using the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade specific HDACs. Bioinformatics tools can be used to comprehensively analyze the impacts of HDACi and HDAC-targeting PROTACs on gene expression, demonstrating their mechanisms of action and potential alternate effects.

​

The Liao Lab is a leader in developing inhibitors of histone deacetylases and proteolysis-targeting chimeras, targeting the enzymes that promote oncogenesis. Previous work identified a potent and specific HDAC inhibitor, UF010. Works have shown that UF010 provokes histone hyperacetylation and profoundly perturbs the transcriptome. It also has potent anticancer efficacy in vivo in mouse cancer models. Current work focuses on understanding the precise mechanism by which UF010 deregulates the cancer epigenome and transcriptome and assesses the translational potential of this class of HDAC inhibitors for treating human cancer patients. 
 

My responsibilities include performing bioinformatic analysis of genomic data using Python, R, and other programming and biostatistical/modeling tools.

​

Examples include:

RNA-Seq: Using edgeR to compare DMSO controls with UF010

treatment samples to determine the differentially expressed genes by

UF010  in cancer cells.
Pathway Analysis: Analyze upregulated and downregulated genes after

differential analysis to identify oncogenic pathways perturbed by UF010.

Coursework

Relevant Coursework

CoC

Heading 1

Major: Biology

  • Principles of Biology 1 & 2 with Laboratory

  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 with Laboratory

  • Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 with Laboratory

  • Microbiology with Laboratory

  • Health & Medical Terminology

  • Medical Sciences Research

  • Human Genetics

  • Medical Bioethics

  • Principles of Biodiversity 

  • Calculus & Statistics

​

​

​

​

Minor: Bioinformatics 

  • Python Programming for Biology

  • R Programming for the Life Sciences

  • Bioinformatic Fundamentals

  • The Microbiome & Genome Sequencing Analysis

  • Independent Bioinformatic Research

​​​

Certificate: Artificial Intelligence (AI) â€‹

  • Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals

  • Artificial Intelligence in the Life Sciences

  • Ethics of Data & Technology

 

​

​

Honors & Awards:

  • President's Honor Roll and Dean's List Recipient

  • UF CALS Honors Scholar

  • College of Medicine University Scholar

  • CALS & Edward E. Fischer Scholarship Recipient

  • IBM Watson Scholarship Recipient

  • National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing Award Winner

  • University Of Florida Sustainability Hackathon Prize Winner​

​

​

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

     

    VOLUNTEER AND WORK EXPERIENCE

    ​

    • University of Florida Chemistry Department

    Undergraduate Teaching Assistant   Jan 2024 - May 2024

    ​

    • UF Cancer and Genetics Research Complex (CGRC)

    Research Assistant  Aug 2023 - Present

    ​

    • American Cancer Society

    CARES Community Patient Volunteer  May 2024 - Present

    ​

    HACKATHONS ATTENDED

    ​

    • IBM Call for Code 2024 (June - September 2024)

      • Project Name: Deep Pink: Breast Cancer

      • The project created a Gen AI/IBM WatsonX powered solution with the ability to have informative conversations and provide information regarding the condition

    Link to project video: https://youtu.be/D-_0DbL9Obw

     

    • IBM Quantum Challenge (June 2024)

      • Coding challenge focused on using Qiskit 1.0 for utility-scale quantum experiments, building quantum circuits, running optimization algorithms

      • Ran optimization algorithms that could be crucial for solving complex bioinformatics problems such as protein folding.  

     

    • Stanford- Women in Data Science Datathon (January - March 2024) 

      • Applying data science and machine learning skills to predict time for treatment of women patients who are diagnosed with metastatic triple negative breast cancers (metastatic TNBC) based on a unique oncology dataset provided by Gilead Sciences

    ​

    Link to project video: https://youtu.be/CGQWPq3n7o8

     

    • IBM Call for Code

      • Project Name: Day One Relief Solutions. Developed for the Day One Organization, a North Carolina- based NGO

      • The project created a IBM Cloud- Watson AI based solution for identifying areas that needed urgent relief after hurricanes and storms

    Link to project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO8wXQ3ZnLs&ab_channel=DayOneRelief

    View my complete Resume:

    Resume/CV
    bottom of page