Altaf S. Kazi, Ph.

D
Chesterbrook | PA 19087 267-760-3809 akazi2000@gmail.com

Profile
RESEARCH SCIENTIST Innovative scientist with over 10 years experience leading research projects resulting in biomedical breakthroughs and published insights in leading journals. In-depth knowledge of advanced cell-molecular biology tools and microscopy including live-cell imaging, as well as gene-transfer and silencing, and establishing biochemical and cellular assays. Expert communicator with the capacity to serve as SME in preclinical, biomarker, and pathophysiology of respiratory and immunological disorders. Core Competencies: Research Project Planning/Implementation, Staff Training/Mentoring, SOP & Protocol Development, Laboratory Management, Bioinformatics, Kinase Activation, Oncoproteins, Bacterial Pathogenesis, Angiogenesis, Immunology, Analytical Problem Solving, Grant Proposals, and Presentations Select Laboratory Skills: Mammalian Cell Culture, Biochemical & Cellular Assays, DNA Sequencing, Gene-Transfer & Silencing, Fluorescent Light and Confocal Microscopy, Protein Purification & Analysis, Western Blotting, Cell Fractionation, RNA/DNA Extraction, siRNA, RT PCR, FPLC, HPLC, UV/Visible Spectroscopy

Professional Experience
Career Note: Pursued Executive Masters in Technology Management (EMTM) and expanded capabilities through auditing courses such as Medical Devices-(Wharton MBA-HCMG 890, Fall 2011), The Management and Economics of Pharmaceutical, Biotech, & Medical Device Industries (Wharton MBA-HCMG863, Spring 2012), Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship (EMTM563 Winter 2012), at the University of Pennsylvania. (4/11-Present) UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia, PA

12/01-4/11

Senior Research Investigator- School of Dental Medicine (2/09-4/11) Investigated the role of lysosomal maturation protein, MREG, in degradation of rod outer segments by retinal epithelial cells, garnering crucial insights and executing presentations. Enhance the scope of MREG functions in disease models and other phagocyte cell types. Excelled in independently executing projects with limited resources, including utilizing live-cell imaging and confocal microscopy to demonstrate trafficking of periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis (Pg) in macrophages. Managed new researcher orientations and offered guidance to technicians. Implemented targeted laboratory protocols. Recognized for ability to execute complex cell culture experiments and increasing overall understanding of disease mechanisms in AMD and periodontal pathogenesis. Key Accomplishments: Established crucial link between loss of MREG function and secretion of pro-angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leading to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Hypothesized role of MREG in pathogenesis and successfully enhanced scope of MREG through characterization as endotoxin inducible protein in macrophage and proving role in bacterial pathogenesis. Applied research data towards federal funding grant from National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Offered detailed recommendations on broadening scope of work to PI for obtaining future grant funds and presented key findings at international conferences. Research Associate- Institute of Environmental Medicine (12/04-12/08) Demonstrated mechanism through which CLIMP-63 is trafficked from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cell surface, resulting in 7 peer-reviewed research papers and presentations at 14 international scientific meetings.

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Demonstrated retention and release signals on CLIMP-63 polypeptide and applied research findings towards highlighting crucial function of CLIMP-63 in pivotal lung gas-exchange processes. Contributed to ongoing research projects and established collaborative relationships with international researchers and the understanding of anti-oxidant gene expression. Noted for expertise in biochemical assays, SiRNA, cell-fractionation and confocal imaging. Key Accomplishments: Proved involvement of PI-3-kinase pathway in trafficking of CLIMP-63 to alveolar type II cell surface through biochemical assays, SiRNA, cell-fractionation and confocal imaging. Developed 7 peer-reviewed research papers and presented at leading conferences including American Thoracic Society and FASEB. Offered crucial data towards National Institute of Health (NIH) program project valued at over $500K. Demonstrated versatility in collaborating with international researchers and leading group discussions. Post-Doctoral Researcher- School of Medicine, Div. of Pulmonary Allergy & Critical Care (12/01-11/04) Evaluated effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells that set the bronchomotor tone of the airways, culminating in first-author paper and presentations at international scientific meetings. Developed new avenues for therapeutic intervention for treatment of asthma based on prevention of angiogenesis and extracellular matrix disposition. Key Accomplishment: Demonstrated that asthma-causing cytokines induce secretion of pro-angiogenic cytokines such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention based on VEGF dependent secretion of extracellular matrix that might cause airway remodeling in asthmatics. THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY Philadelphia, PA 9/99-11/01

Post-Doctoral Researcher- Kimmel Cancer Center, Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology Planned and executed purification and analysis of TCL-1 and TCL-1B proteins in leukemia, garnering new insights. Collaborated with research staff and maintained detailed documentation. Executed extensive protein purification for structure elucidation by NMR.

Education & Awards

Education: Masters in Technology Management (EMTM, MSE)- University of Pennsylvania, PA (Expected 2013) Ph.D. in Biochemistry- Mumbai University, India Master of Science in Microbiology- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India Bachelor of Science in Microbiology- Mumbai University, India Awards: Best Poster- University of Pennsylvania Annual Biomedical Post-Doctoral Symposium (2002) Travel Award- Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon to attend European Molecular Biology (EMBO) Workshop (1997) Junior Research Fellowship- Dept. of Science and Technology, Government of India (1989-1991) Junior Research Fellowship (M.Sc)- University Grants Commission, Government of India (1987-1989) Gold Medal (B.Sc)- Shikshan Prasarak Mandal (SPM), Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai (1987)

Publications
Kazi A, Tao JQ, Feinstein SI, Zhang L, Fisher AB, Bates SR. Role of the PI3-kinase signaling pathway in trafficking of the surfactant protein-A receptor P63 (CKAP4) on type II pneumocytes. American Journal of Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol., 2010 Dec;299(6):L794-807. Manevich Y, Shuvaeva T, Dodia C, Kazi A, Feinstein SI, Fisher AB. Binding of peroxiredoxin6 to substrate determines differential phospholipid hydroperoxide peroxidase and phospholipase A(2) activities. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2009 May 15;485(2):139-49.

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Ibrul Chowdhury, Yiqun Mo, Ling Gao, Altaf S. Kazi, Aron B. Fisher and Sheldon Feinstein. Oxidant stress stimulates expression of Human Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) gene by a transcriptional mechanism involving an Antioxidant response element. Free Radic Biol Med. 2009 Jan 15;46(2):146-53. Yongzheng Wu, Sheldon Feinstein, Yafim Manevich, Ibrul Chowdhury, Jhang Ho Park, Altaf S.Kazi, Chandra Dodia, David Spicher and Aron Fisher (2008). MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of peroxiredoxin6 regulates its phospholipase A2 Activity. Biochem J. 2009 May 1;419(3):669-79. Sandra Bates, Altaf S. Kazi, Jian-Qin Tao, Kevin Wu, Daniel S. Gonder, Sheldon Feinstein, and Aron B. Fisher. Role of P63 (CKAP4) in binding of surfactant protein-A to type II cells. American Journal of Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol., 2008 Oct;295(4):L658-69. Brian J. Hawkins, Laura Solt, Ibrul Chowdhury, Altaf S. Kazi, M. Ruhul Abid, William C. Aird, Michael J. May, J. Kevin Foskett, and Muniswamy Madesh (2007). GPCR Ca2+-linked Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species are Essential for Endothelial/Leukocyte Adherence. Mol. Cell. Biol. Nov;27(21):7582-93. Gupta N, Manevich Y, Kazi A S, Tao J Q, Fisher A B, Bates S R (2006). Identification and Characterization of p63 (CKAP4/ERGIC63/CLIMP63), a surfactant protein-A binding protein on type II cells, American Journal of Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. Sep;291(3):L436-46. Kazi A S, Lotfi S, Goncharova E A, Tliba O, Amrani Y, Krymskaya V P, Lazaar A L (2004). Vascular endothelial growth factor-induced secretion of fibronectin is ERK dependent. American Journal of Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. Mar,286: 539 545. Nair C. K. K, R. Rajagopalan and A. S. Kazi. (2000). DNA repair and evolutionary conservation of heat shock response gene HSP70 in halophilic archaebacteria, p. 261-275. In M. Akaboshi, N. Fujii, and R. N. Gonzales (ed.), Role of Radiation in the Origin and Evolution of Life. Kyoto University Press, Kyoto. Kazi A. S. and Nair,C.K.K. GenBank # Locus AF069527 , 6360 bp sequence.Haloferax mediterranei heat-shock protein23 (grpE), (hmd47), putative glutamate dehydrogenase (gdhA), heat-shock protein-70 (dnaK), heat-shock protein-40 (dnaJ), and putative acetyl-CoA synthetase (acs-1) genes, complete cds.gi |10798841| gb|AF069527.1| AF069527[10798841].

Select Presentations
Altaf Kazi and Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia. Pathogen induced upregulation of the lysosomal maturation protein, Melanoregulin (MREG) in macrophages. Experimental Biology, Washington Convention Center, April 91-3, 2011. Altaf S. Kazi, Raia Dierova, Jennifer Brancato, and Kathleen Boesze-BattagliA. Loss of Melanoregulin (MREG) may function as a possible risk factor for retinal degenerative diseases. Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology (ARVO) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May 2-6, 2010. A S Kazi, JQ Tao, A B Fisher and S R Bates. Akt1 dependent trafficking of the putative SP-A receptor protein, P63 in type II pneumocytes. American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2008. International Conference, Toronto, May 16-21, 2008. A S Kazi, J Q Tao, A B Fisher, and S R Bates. Trafficking of P63, a putative SP-A receptor on Type II cells. American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2007. International Conference, San Francisco, May 18-23, 2007. A S Kazi, N Gupta, Y Manevich, A B Fisher, and S R Bates. P63 (CKAP4/CLIMP-63), A Putative Receptor for Lung Surfactant Protein A (SP-A) On Type II Pneumocytes. FASEB Summer Research Conference Lung surfactant cellular and molecular biology, Snowmass, Colorado, Aug 5-10, 2006. A S Kazi, N Gupta, Y Manevich, S R Bates, and A B Fisher. Identification of p63 (CLIMP63), as a binding protein for lung surfactant protein-A on rat type II alveolar cells. American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2006. International Conference, San Diego, May 19-24, 2006. A. S. Kazi, S. Lotfi, V.P. Krymskaya, and A.L. Lazaar. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Up regulates fibronectin and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) Secretion by Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2003. 99th International Conference, Seattle, Washington, USA May 16-21, 2003.

Professional Affiliations
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Penn Biotech Group

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