Contact Information
Summary
Ridhi Patil, B.S., graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering focusing on Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering. In her first two years, she worked in Dr. Edward Marcotte's lab, where she worked on building a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm for molecular complex detection in protein interaction networks.
In 2022, Ridhi completed a 6-month Co-Op at Moderna in the RNA Process Definition Team, focusing on evaluating mRNA purity through column purification chromatography. After the Co-Op, she returned to UT Austin to finish her bachelor's degree. Ridhi worked in Dr. Jennifer Maynard's lab, conducting serology work to analyze antibodies for developing a new maternal vaccine for pertussis. After concluding this project, she joined Dr. Nicholas Peppas' lab, working on the surface functionalization of nanoparticles to improve permeability across the intestinal membrane for high molecular weight protein-based drugs.
Ridhi joined NIAID as a postbaccalaureate fellow in the INRO (Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities) program and works under Dr. Luis M. Franco in the NIAMS Functional Immunogenomics Section.
Research Statement
Ridhi's research interests include studying drug delivery and immunology to enhance patient outcomes. In the Franco Lab, she aims to develop glucocorticoid (GC) nanobody complexes to target GC molecules to specific cell types, starting with CD4 T-cells.
Scientific Publications
Education
University of Texas at Austin
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (2020-2024)
Experience
Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow
National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (2024-Present)
Technical Development Co-Op
Moderna (2022)
Research Assistant
University of Texas at Austin (2021-2024)