Interests
Gene therapy
Genetic engineering
Biotechnology
Genetics
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Rohini Prakash
Research Associate & Platform Systems Manager
Rohini is working as a research associate with the Slavcev Lab. She completed her M.Sc. Biology at the University of Waterloo in June 2023, where she worked on the construction and optimization of a ssDNA vector production system. She is an experienced biologist and researcher with a strong foundation in molecular biology, microbiology, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. She is a highly organized and effective leader, managing several projects and research initiatives. She is currently working on the development and optimization of bacteriophage and anelloviral vectors for novel gene therapy platforms.
Education
B.Sc. Microbiology and Biochemistry, St. Xavier’s College-Autonomous, University of Mumbai (2014)
M.Sc. Microbiology, Wilson College, University of Mumbai (2016)
M.Sc. Biology, University of Waterloo (2023)
Contact
rohini.prakash@theraphage.bio
r5prakash@uwaterloo.ca
PUBLICATIONS:
Wong, S., Jimenez, S., Pushparajah, D., Prakash, R., & Slavcev, R. (2025). A novel miniaturized filamentous phagemid as a gene delivery vehicle to target mammalian cells. Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids, 36(2), 102571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omtn.2025.102571
Prakash, R. (2023) Construction and optimization of a ssDNA vector production system for gene therapy platform. UWSpace.
Prakash, R., & Aruna, K. (2018) Optimization studies on he production and activity of xylanase obtained from Paenibacillus lautus isolated from mangrove soil. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, 4(5), 76-88.
Presentations:
Wong, S, Prakash, R, Slavcev R, Construction and characterization of a hybrid phage targeted gene delivery platform, New Frontiers in Research Fund, Presented at: iNeuron Annual Meeting. September, 2023. Toronto, Canada
Wong, S., Jimenez, S., Pushparajah, D., Prakash, R., Lumini, J., Slavcev, R. (Presented by Julia Lumini). A novel miniaturized filamentous phagemid as a gene delivery vehicle to target mammalian cells. Poster presented at: American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 28th Annual Meeting. 2025, May 13. New Orleans, Louisiana
Prakash, R., Pushparajah, D., Cheung, S., Hosseinali, M., Lumini, J., Slavcev, R. (Presented by Julia Lumini & Roderick Slavcev). An E. coli-based platform for the production and assembly of anellovirus vectors in vitro for gene therapy platform. Poster presented at: American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 28th Annual Meeting. 2025, May 13. New Orleans, Louisiana