High-throughput Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics researcher with strong skills in peptide sequencing,

quantification and biomarker discovery using LC-MS with flair in state-of-art technology such as isobaric labeling
and label-free quantification. Also well versed with metabolites extraction, identification and quantification using
GC-MS, HPLC. I have strong skills in high throughput screening of live organisms, assay development,
bioinformatics analysis of proteins and nucleic acids. Known for dedication, ability to learn new things, a team
player with positive attitude and competence in working with state-of-the art sophisticated instruments. Skills
include:
Cell culture
Basic molecular biology
SDS-PAGE, SCX, RP-nanoHPLC
LC-MS/MS, LC-MS/SRM
workflow
iTRAQ quantification
Bioinformatics analysis of high-
throughput proteomics and
metabolomics data

Handling QSTAR-XL ToF
MS
Bruker HCTultra PTM
discovery, Esquire 3000 Ion-
Trap MS
Metabolomics using GC-MS
Hands on experience with
Thermo-Finnigan DSQ GC-
MS system, Agilent 7890.
Data Analysis
R, SigmaPlot, GraphPad,

Chemoinformatics
(Spotfire Lead Discovery,
JChem, scaffold hopping, SAR)
Receptor-ligand docking
(GOLD, AutoDock)
NGS RNASeq Analysis
(Tophat, cufflinks, DESeq,
edgeR)
__ HTS screening drug
discovery, proficient with
epMotion 5070 Liquid handling
system
Education
PhD (Chemical and Biological Engineering) University of Sheffield, 2006-2010

Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of the effect of UV-A radiation on cyanobacteria Nostoc punctiforme
ATCC 29133

Additional courses during PhD:
Advanced Sequence Analysis (2006)
Chemoinformatics (2008)
Research Methods and Analytics (2007)


M.Sc (Botany), Post Graduate Department of Botany, Nagpur University, Nagpur, INDIA (1997-99)
Employment History

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Postdoctoral Researcher, 1 May 2011 to present
Project 1: Algal Systems Biology Project - For this project I am using systems biology approach to study the
global effects on the metabolic circuits in the cells during nitrogen starvation leading to high lipid accumulation in
model green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. My experimental approach combines high-throughput quantitative
proteomics (iTRAQ peptide labelling and MRM/SRM based label free peptide quantification) with GC-MS based
untargeted metabolomics approach. I am using several univariate, and multivariate statistical analysis tools such
DR. NISHIKANT WASE
Department of Biochemistry,
University of Nebraska,
N238 Beadle Center
1901 Vine St. Lincoln, NE 68588-0664
nishikant.wase@gmail.com
Systems Biology and HTS Chemical Genomics

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as PCA, PLS-DA, cluster analysis and use of bioinformatics network analysis tools to integrates experimental
proteomics and metabolomics data to the metabolic circuits topology.

Project 2: Forward Chemical Genomics project - This study uses a very novel drug-discovery type of approach
to identify small molecules modulators that enhance lipid contents in algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) while still
growing in nitrogen rich medium. During the course of this study I am using forward chemical genomics approach
to find a ways to identify general metabolism control biomarkers that are vital for overproduction of large quantity of
storage lipid as a source of biofuel feedstock. Initially I performed a small pilot study with 1700 compounds from
NCI and then upgraded this study now to screening of approx. 48,000 compounds. With this study I identified >
300 compounds that induce lipid accumulation at least more than 2 to 20 fold while growing in N replete media. To
verify the activity, I performed an 8-point dose response curve (30 M to 0.25 M) and determined the EC
50
value.
Further I performed several toxicity, viability assay and optimized a micro FAMES analysis (suitable for such high
throughput screening). Data analysis done using InstantJChem, TibcoSpotfire Lead Discovery including R-group
and SAR analysis. For this project we have plans to do click chemistry for binding assay and identification of
target. We selected 10 high ranking compounds and currently they being tested on different strains of algae such
as Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1230, Tetrachlorella alterans UTEX 2453, C. luteoviridis SAG 211-4, C.
protothecoides UTEX 29, C. vulgaris UTEX 395, Nannochloropsis sp.

Project 3: Genome sequencing, Transcriptome, Proteome and metabolome analysis of C. sorokiniana
UTEX1230 This is a community project where several laboratories are involved. For this project we are studying
different parameters such as effect of temp, nitrogen stress and recovery, effect of CO
2
, effect of different carbon
source (glucose, fructose, waste), effect of harmones (BAP, IAA, cytokinine) on biomass productivity,
photosynthetic capacity and lipid contents. I was entrusted to study the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome
response of C. sorokiniana while growing at different temperatures.

University of Sheffield, UK

Graduate student, Oct 2006 to Dec 2010.
Studies in the short and long-term UV-A exposure in N. punctiforme using LC/MS based quantitative proteomics
workflow (iTRAQ and label-free protein quantification strategy MRM/SRM) to identify biomarkers in industrially
valuable cyanobacteria Nostoc punctiforme under UV-A radiation stress. Profiling of intracellular metabolites of
Nostoc punctiforme under UV-A stress using GC-MS, NIST, GOLM database searching and data analysis.


Dr. Ambedkar college, Nagpur INDIA

Assistant Professor, Jan 2005 Sept 2006
Served as a key member of faculty (full-time and permanent appointment). Job profile includes teaching subject
Botany to undergraduate classes (each with at least 80 students), formulating laboratory sessions for enhancing
routine practical skills, assessing the student knowledge in form of exams. Assisting chief examination officer for
smooth conduct of university exams.
Nabira Science College, Katol Dist: Nagpur, INDIA

Assistant Professor, June 2003 - Jan 2005
Served as a permanent full-time faculty member. Job profile includes teaching Botany subject. During my stint at
this college, I arranged a botanical excursion tour for 40 students to study the plant biodiversity of Pachmarhi
Biosphere Reserve, a conserved forest area in Madhya Pradesh state in India. I was also involved in conducting
routine laboratory sessions for teaching basic science skills, student assessment and had an active role in the
conduct of university exams.

Rajaram college, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur

Assistant Lecturer, Sept 2002 - April 2003
I started my academic career in this college. Served as a member of faculty (full-time, temporary appointment). Job
profile includes teaching subject Botany to undergraduate classes and conducting laboratory sessions. During my
tenure, I worked as Accreditation Committee Member in this college when this college applied to NAAC (National
Assessment and Accreditation Council; http://www.naac.gov.in/) and subsequently this institute was awarded A-
grade in the 2003-04 assessment exercise.
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Excel Systems and Software Ltd, 716 Utkarsh Nirman, Sadar Nagpur

Quality Analyst and Proof Reader, Sept 2000 August 2002
After shifting from my previous job, here at this company I took up a role of Quality Analyst and proof reader.
During my stay at this company, I have tested 5 new clients (US Hospitals) of which, the company got work
contract with three of the hospitals (60% success rate). I was instrumental in escalating the quantity of workload
from 7000 lines per day to 12,000 lines per day with minimum error rate (overall 98% accuracy). Here I was
working with 4 other QAs and each was entrusted to take care of 10 Medical Transcriptionists. In July, I passed the
CSIR-UGC NET exam, so I changed my area of work and started working as a Lecturer.

MegaDouble Click Pvt. Ltd, Atrey Lay Out Nagpur

Medical Transcriptionist, Nov 1999 Aug 2000
This was my first job after receiving training in medical documentation (Audio transcription). During my stint in this
company, I was entrusted with a role of trainer and send to Jaipur to conduct trainings and assessing new trainees
(3 batches of 40 each). During Aug, 2000 I left this company for a growth and joined another firm in Nagpur.

Awards and Fellowships:

National overseas Fellowship awarded by Government of India for doctoral studies (Grant No.
11015/9/2006-SCD-V) year 2006-10.
Qualified National Eligibility Test for the subject Life Sciences in July 2001 by CSIR (Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research, University Grants Commission, India.
(http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/net.html).
Association with professional bodies:
Member of The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Membership no: 99920451.

Student/Fellow Advising/Mentoring:
Maya Khasin (UNL Graduate student) Aug 2011 Dec 2011
Samiksha Poudyal (UNL Sr. undergraduate student) Jan 2012 - Dec 2013
Boqiang Tu (UNL Sophomore undergraduate student) March 2012 - present
David Smilowitz (Summer EPSCoR REU, Cornell Univ) June 2014 Aug 2014

References:
References will be available on request.

Papers published / ready for publications in referred journals:

Wase N, Black PN, Stanley BA, DiRusso CC: Integrated quantitative analysis of nitrogen stress
response in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using metabolite and protein profiling. J. Proteome Res.
2014:140214043609001.

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Wase N, Ow SY., and Wright PC, 2013. A global understanding of light stress in cyanobacteria:
Environmental and bioproducts perspectives, pp. 273289. In Srivastava, AK, Rai, AN, Neilan, BA (eds.),
Stress Biology of Cyanobacteria: Molecular Mechanisms to Cellular Responses. CRC Press.

Wase N, Ow SY, Salim M, Nissum M, Mike W, Wright PC. 2012. A Free Flow Electrophoresis
separation strategy for segregation of high abundant phycobilisomes from cyanobacterium Nostoc
punctiforme PCC 73102. Journal of Proteomics and Bioinformatics 5:067072.

Wase N, Wright PC. 2008. Systems biology of cyanobacterial secondary metabolite production and its
role in drug discovery. Expert Opinion in Drug Discovery 3:903929.


Wase N, Ow SY, Noirel J, and Wright PC. Improved Understanding of UV-A Induced Proteome in
Cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 via iTRAQ and Shotgun Proteomics. (Submitted to
Proteome Sci., under editorial review)

Wase N, Ow SY, Pham TK and Wright PC. Quantitative analysis of UV-A shock and short term stress
using a combination of amine reactive isobaric labeling, pseudo selective reaction monitoring (pSRM)
and GC-MS based metabolite analysis of the Cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133. (under
editorial review).

Wase N, Black PN, DiRusso C. A in vivo screening platform to identify small molecule modulators of
lipid storage in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. (manuscript under preparation).

Wase N, McDonald P, Roy A, Black PN, DiRusso C A whole organism screen identifies new small
molecule regulators of lipid hyperaccumulation in green algae. (manuscript under preparation).


Oral/poster presented in Conferences/Symposium:

Wase N, Boqiang T, Adamec J, Cerny R, Black P, DiRusso C: Discovery of small molecule
hyperlipid accumulating triggers of algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii identified via in vivo
phenotype based screen (597.1). The FASEB Journal 2014, 28.
Wase N Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2013) Systems response of metabolic networks in
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during nitrogen starvation leading to hyper lipid accumulation. National
Advance Biofuels Conference, Sept 10-12 2013 Omaha, NE. (Invited talk)
Wase N Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2013) System Response of Metabolic Networks in
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during Nitrogen Starvation Leading to Lipid Accumulation. Molecular
Mechanism of Disease-Work in progress seminar series. Sept 19, 2013 Whitter Building, UNL.
Boqiang Tu, Wase N, Paul N. Black, Concetta C. DiRusso (2013) Exogenous Citrate Induces Lipid
Accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Wase N, Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2012) High Throughput Screening for Chemical Induction
of Lipid Droplet Formation in Green Algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii American Society for Plant
Biologist (ASPB) Midwestern Section Meeting at Lincoln, Nebraska March 24-25, 2012
Wase N, Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2012) Making Algae Fat: A high throughput Chemical
Induction of Lipid droplet formation in Green Algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Algae Biomass Summit,
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Denver, Colorado Sept 24 - 27, 2012.
Wase N, Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2012) iTRAQ facilitated proteomics analysis and GC-MS
based metabolite profiling of green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: New insight into N
2
stress.
EPSCoR Annual Meeting Aug 14, 2012 Lincoln, NE
Wase N, Black Paul, and DiRusso Concetta (2011) Systems Level understanding of Biofuel production
in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii EPSCoR RII Track 1 External Review Panel Meeting at Lincoln Aug 10,
2011
Wase N, Saw Ow Yen, and Wright PC (2008) Gauging complementary proteomics discovery of Nostoc
punctiforme PCC 73102 using a combination of FFE, SCX, Ion-Trap and QTOF-MS 56th ASMS
Conference on Mass Spectrometry, Denver, Colorado; 06/2008

Research Grant Awarded:
Awarded a Minor Research Grant of Rs 60,000 for a research project entitled Screening of antibiotic
properties of some cyanobacteria by University Grants Commission (Grant No. 47-135/05), Govt. of India.


Symposiums/workshop attended:
Attended 5
th
PMF (Proteomics Methods Forum) meeting held on 18
th
and 19
th
June, 2008 at Dundee, UK.
Attended 3
rd
PMF (Proteomics Methods Forum) meeting held at Sheffield (Dec, 2006)
Attended XV Annual conference of Indian Association of Angiospermic Taxonomy at Department of
Botany, Nagpur university Nagpur on 20
th
and 21
st
October, 2005.
State level seminar on Emerging trends and challenges in chemistry, Botany and Zoology organized
by Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur on 23/01/2005.
National symposium on Drug Design and Bioinformatics (DBB03) on 20/12/2003 at Department of
Biochemistry, Nagpur University, Nagpur.
Attended workshop on Academic writing for postdocs on 23 and 24
th
March, 2012 at Jackie Gaugham
Multicultural center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE.

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Other academic work:
Currently I am working as a reviewer for following journals
1. Journal of Proteomics and bioinformatics.
2. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics.
3. International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences.