Delan Khalid
Cambridge,MA
Summary
In vivo scientist with 6+ years of hands-on experience in oncology and neuroscience research, specializing in mouse models for translational studies. Expert in advanced in vivo techniques. Proven track record of supporting high-impact publications and grant submissions through independent project management, experimental design, and cross-functional collaboration. Recognized for precision, adaptability, and a deep commitment to animal welfare and reproducibility in preclinical research.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior In Vivo Technician
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
08.2020 - 07.2023
- Expanded and maintained a comprehensive Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) leukemia sample bank, supporting translational research in pediatric and adult leukemia using immunodeficient mouse models.
- Independently managed the generation, propagation, and quality control of PDX models, ensuring accurate representation of patient-derived leukemia for preclinical drug testing.
- Conducted collaborative research on therapeutic targets for GLIS2-CBFA2T3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under the mentorship of post-doctoral fellow Dr. Fanny Gonzales, contributing to publications and data generation for grant submissions.
- Served as a core member of the in vivo research team; routinely administered investigational drugs, performed health monitoring, and led end-of-study take down procedures.
- Designed and implemented standard operating procedures and training protocols for new laboratory technicians, streamlining onboarding and ensuring reproducibility across experiments.
- Trained and mentored incoming staff in in vivo techniques, including mouse handling, injections (IP, IV, PO, SQ), and ethical care in accordance with IACUC guidelines.
In Vivo Research Technician
Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The Pathania Lab, Umass
06.2018 - 08.2020
- At University of Massachusetts Boston. Investigate the formation of breast tumors in Brca1 and p53 mouse models to understand early tumor promoting events in women with BRCA1 mutations.
- Performing mice dissections, tumor and fat pad removal, fat pad and intraductal injections of DNA damaging agents. Managing mouse colonies (400+ mice), setting mice matings and genotyping progeny.
Research Assistant
University of South Dakota, Summers Lab
06.2016 - 08.2017
- Investigated Orexin receptor stimulation in the Basolateral Amygdala and the Hippocampus.
- Assisting with mice brain surgery, running experiments with the Stress Alternative Model along with a team of researchers, and analyzing mice behavioral phenotypes.
Education
Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA12-2024
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA12-2019
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD05-2017
Skills
- General In Vivo Skills
- Mouse handling and restraint (standard and advanced techniques)
- Animal identification (ear tagging, tattooing, microchipping)
- Health monitoring and welfare assessments
- Daily husbandry and monitoring (weight, appearance, behavior)
- Dosing & Administration Techniques
- Intraperitoneal (IP) injections
- Subcutaneous (SC) injections
- Intravenous (IV) injections (tail vein, retro-orbital, etc)
- Oral gavage
- Intramuscular (IM) injections
- Topical and transdermal dosing
- Blood & Tissue Collection
- Blood collection techniques:
- - Submandibular
- - Retro-orbital
- - Tail vein nick
- - Cardiac puncture (terminal)
- Euthanasia methods (CO2, cervical dislocation, decapitation)
- Tissue dissection and organ harvesting (liver, kidney, spleen, brain, etc)
- Perfusion (saline and fixative)
- Bone marrow aspiration
- Surgical Techniques
- Aseptic surgical procedures
- Survival surgeries
- Tumor implantation
- Wound closure (sutures, staples)
- Complete Mouse dissection and tissue harvest
- Disease Models & Specialized Techniques
- Xenograft and solid tumor models
- Genetically modified (GEMM) mouse colony management
- Immunocompromised mice disease models
- Behavioral testing - Open field only
- PK/PD studies
- Genotyping & Breeding
- Mouse colony management and breeding
- Timed mating and plug checking
- Weaning and ear tagging
- Tail snips for genotyping
- DNA extraction and for genotype confirmation
- Other Technical Skills
- Use of anesthesia systems (isoflurane)
- Use of surgical microscopes and stereotaxic frames
- Animal ethics and IACUC protocol compliance
- Record keeping and data entry
- In Vitro Skills Related to In Vivo Studies
- Tissue Processing & Cell Isolation
- Tissue homogenization (manual or automated)
- Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of tissues
- Primary cell isolation from mouse tissues (eg, liver, spleen, brain, tumor)
- Red blood cell (RBC) lysis
- Single-cell suspension preparation
- Viability and cell count assessments (trypan blue, automated counters)
- Cell & Tissue Preservation
- Cryopreservation of primary cells and tissues
- Preparation of freezing medium (eg, 10% DMSO FBS)
- Snap freezing of tissues in liquid nitrogen
- Storage and cataloging in -80C or liquid nitrogen tanks
- Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) of tissues
- DNA & RNA Analysis
- DNA Extraction for sequencing using QIAGEN Kit
- RNA Extraction for sequencing using QIAGEN Kit
- DNA and RNA purification testing for sequencing
- Mouse Cell Depletion using Miltenyi Biotec
- Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting (if used on isolated in vivo cells)
- Surface and intracellular staining for immune markers
- Flow cytometry data acquisition
- Compensation and gating strategies
Timeline
Senior In Vivo Technician
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
08.2020 - 07.2023
In Vivo Research Technician
Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The Pathania Lab, Umass
06.2018 - 08.2020
Research Assistant
University of South Dakota, Summers Lab
06.2016 - 08.2017
Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of South Dakota