Chandrika Rao, PhD
chandrikarao@icloud.com · linkedin.com/in/chandrikaraophd · chandrikaraophd.github.io
Education
University of Edinburgh
2014–2019
PhD in Stem Cell Biology — Centre for Regenerative Medicine
University of Bristol
- MSc in Biomedical Sciences Research2009–2010
- BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry2006–2009
Research Experience
New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, NY
- Staff Scientist2023–2025
- NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellow2022–2023
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow2020–2023
Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh
2014–2019
PhD Candidate
The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge
2012–2014
Chief Research Assistant
Editorial & Science Communication
Peer Reviewer
2020–present
Ad hoc reviewer for journals including Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Communications Biology, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, and Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters.
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
2025–present
Science Communications Contributor
Creating public-facing educational content on stem cell research for scientists, patients, and the public, including posts on LinkedIn and Instagram covering disease modelling, clinical applications, and patient resources.
The MedReport Foundation
2025–present
Medical Review Board Member
Reviewing and verifying citations, evaluating data, and assessing factual accuracy of health content for a medical literacy non-profit.
Cambridge Proofreading
2021
Copyeditor (Volunteer)
Copy-edited academic journal manuscripts and grant proposals to improve style, clarity, and language.
Freelance Academic Editor
2011–2012
Editorial support for 200+ biomedical research manuscripts, grant reports, and theses across diverse therapeutic areas.
ResearchGate, Berlin, Germany
2011
Scientific Communications & Marketing Intern
Developed content strategy and stakeholder engagement for an online research platform.
Teaching & Mentorship
Science Mentorship Institute (Sci-MI)
2026–present
Neuroscience Mentor
One-to-one mentorship for students pursuing neuroscience careers, through a programme widening access to research for those from underserved communities.
University of Edinburgh
2015–2017
Course Instructor
Taught undergraduate courses including “Cells to Organisms” and “Genetics for Medical Students”, guiding students in data interpretation and essay writing.
Research Mentorship & Public Engagement
2020–2025
Mentored four undergraduate research interns; panelist for STEM career discussions; guest lectures on stem cell biology and neurodegeneration to undergraduate and high school audiences.
Awards & Fellowships
- NYSCF-Druckenmiller Postdoctoral Fellowship2022–2023
- Medical Research Council UK PhD Studentship2014–2018
- Company of Biologists Travel Award2019
- British Society for Developmental Biology Conference Grant2017
Publications
- Rao C. Beyond TREM2 and APOE: lesser-studied Alzheimer’s disease risk loci through the lens of human microglial models. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2026. Invited Review In preparation
- Rao C, Chopra G, Ehrlich M, Gandy S, Semrau S, Fossati V et al. iPSC-derived microglia reveal distinct roles for TREM2 and TYROBP/DAP12 in Alzheimer’s disease. In preparation
- Rao C, Semrau S, Fossati V. Decoding microglial functions in Alzheimer’s disease: insights from human models. Trends in Immunology. 2025;46(4):310–323.
- Rao C (contributing author). Pluripotent Stem Cells and Reprogramming. Chapter 2 in: Alviano F, editor. Stem Cells. Esculapio; 2024. ISBN: 978-8893851718.
- Clayton BLL, Barbar L, Sapar M, Kalpana K, Rao C, Migliori B et al. Patient iPSC models reveal glia-intrinsic phenotypes in multiple sclerosis. Cell Stem Cell. 2024;31(11):1701–1713.
- Kalpana K, Rao C, Semrau S, Zhang B, Noggle S, Fossati V. Generating neuroimmune assembloids using human iPSC-derived cortical organoids and microglia. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2024;2951:139–158.
- Marotta D, Rao C, Fossati V. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) handling protocols: maintenance, expansion, and cryopreservation. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2021;2454:1–15.
- Rao C, Malaguti M, Mason JO, Lowell S. The transcription factor E2A drives neural differentiation in pluripotent cells. Development. 2020;147(12):dev184093.
- Laresgoiti U, Nikolić MZ, Rao C, Brady JL, Richardson RV, Batchen EJ et al. Lung epithelial tip progenitors integrate glucocorticoid- and STAT3-mediated signals to control progeny fate. Development. 2016;143(20):3686–3699.
Presentations & Invited Talks
- Invited panelist — Science journal, iPSCs and flow cytometry in neurological disease research (virtual)2024
- Invited seminars, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York2021–2024
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory — Neurodegenerative Diseases: Biology & Therapeutics2024
- Keystone Symposium — Neurodegeneration & Neuroimmune Interactions2023
- International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meetings2022, 2023
- Invited seminar, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto2019
- Invited seminar, New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute2019
Laboratory Skills
Pluripotent cell culture (mouse and human)
Molecular cloning and genotyping
Differentiation to neurons, microglia, and astrocytes
Western blotting
Co-culture and 3D organoid culture
Immunocytochemistry
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
Confocal microscopy
RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and qPCR
Live cell imaging and analysis (Incucyte)
Data analysis (Excel, R)
Automation and liquid handling robotics