T ANYA N. W EERAKKODY
Department of Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 590-7029
Fax: (215) 590-3779
Email: weerakko@mail.med.upenn.edu
CURRENT POSITION
PhD Candidate, Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Principal Investigator: John H. Wolfe, VMD, PhD
Dissertation Topic: Investigate the functional impact of neural stem transplants on
endogenous neural networks.
Graduation Date: Fall 2013
2007- Present
EDUCATION
B.S. in Neurobiology and Physiology
B.S. in Psychology
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Honors College
GPA: 4.00/4.00, Summa Cum Laude
2007
2007
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN
Research Assistant – Division of Cancer Research (laboratory of Dr. Sanduwaran
Geeganage)
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Research Assistant – Department of Chemistry (laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Davis)
Project Topic: Synthesized and assessed purity of compounds required for artificial ion
channel assembly Project Topic: Investigated alterations to signaling pathways
targeted by candidate anti-tumor agents.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Research Assistant – Department of Pediatrics (laboratory of Dr. John Wolfe)
Project Topic: Evaluated comparative adeno-associated vector transduction
efficiencies in rodent brain for three serotypes following neonatal injection.
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Research Assistant– National Cancer Institute (laboratory of Dr. Liyanage Perera)
Project Topic: Assessed effect of interleukin-15 overexpression on long-term
immunological memory following HIV vaccine administration.
2006
2005 - 2006
2005
2002 - 2003
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Certification Recipient – Center for Teaching and Learning Certificate Program
2009 - Present
TANYA N. WEERAKKODY
CURRICULUM VITAE
Teaching Assistant – Biology 109: “Introduction to Brain and Behavior”
Developed lesson plans for weekly recitations, collaborated on exam development and
reviews, met with students upon request, graded written work.
1/1/2012
Coordinator – Upward Bound Outreach Program, “Introduction to
Neuroscience”
Developed syllabus and overall course structure, administered grades. Organized offsite visits to research laboratories and collaborated in the development of lab
demonstrations and group exercises.
1/1/2012
Guest Lecturer – Upward Bound Outreach Program, “Introduction to
Neuroscience”
Developed lesson plans, organized small group activities, generated quizzes and
homeworks.
2008 - 2010
Teaching Assistant – Biology 109: “Introduction to Brain and Behavior”
1/1/2009
University Maryland, College Park, MD
Instructor – Honors 100: “Freshman Honors Colloquium”
Developed syllabus and overall course structure, administered grades.
2004 - 2005
Montgomery Primary Achievement Center, Gaithersburg, MD
Teaching Assistant – Special Education Program
Provided specialized instruction to developmentally delayed children. Recorded
progress in domains of behavioral learning, fine and gross motor skills.
2004 - 2005
MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Philadelphia, PA
Mentor – Minds Matter
Assisted students from local high schools with summer internship applications and
college/university selection. Engaged student participation in weekly debate series.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Mentor – Upward Bound Summer Research Program
Assisted students from local high schools in the development of individual
research projects.
2012 - Present
2012 - Present
Leadership Committee – Secrets of Successful Scientists Workshop Series
Coordinated seminars for graduate students related to their professional development.
2012 - Present
Leadership Committee – Local Brain Bee Competition
Helped coordinate local neuroscience competition for high school students.
1/1/2012
Undergraduate Research Mentor – Laboratory of Dr. John Wolfe
2010 - 2011
TANYA N. WEERAKKODY
Mentor – ACHIEVEability
Provided tutoring services to parents in low-income households seeking a postsecondary degree.
CURRICULUM VITAE
2008 - 2009
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS AND ABSTRACTS
Weerakkody, T.N., Patel, T.P., Yue, C., Takano, H., Anderson, H.C., Meaney, D.F., Coulter, D.A., and Wolfe, J.H.
Engraftment of non-integrating neural stem cells differentially perturbs cortical activity in a dose-dependent
manner. Submitted.
Weerakkody, T.N., Patel, T.P., Yue, C., Takano, H., Anderson, H.C., Meaney, D.F., Coulter, D.A., and Wolfe, J.H.
(2012). Neural stem cell engraftment above a critical threshold globally reduces cortical network excitability.
Abstract in Society for Neuroscience 42nd Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Issacman-Beck J., White, S., and Weerakkody T.N. (2012). Passing on the Passion: Exposing high school
students to scientific inquiry through neuroscience. Abstract in Society for Neuroscience 42nd Annual Meeting,
New Orleans, LA, USA.
Weerakkody, T.N., Yue, C., Patel, T.P., Takano, H., Meaney, D.F., Coulter, D.A., and Wolfe, J.H. (2011).
Functional impact of neural stem cell derived grafts on neocortical circuitry in the rodent brain. Abstract in Society
for Neuroscience 41st Annual Meeting, Washington D.C, USA.
Weerakkody, T.N., Yue, C., Patel, T.P., Takano, H., Coulter, D.A., and Wolfe, J.H. (2010). In vivo functional
imaging of neural stem cell-derived grafts in the adult mouse cortex. Abstract in Society for Neuroscience 40th
Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA.
Weerakkody, T.N. and Wolfe J.H. (2010) Targeting self-renewal pathways to enhance the survival and distribution
of primary adult neural stem cell transplants. Abstract in Institute for Regenerative Medicine Annual Meeting,
Philadelphia, PA, USA.
SKILLS
Molecular Biology: PCR amplification, bacterial transformation, restriction digestion, plasmid cloning, recombinant
lentiviral production.
Microscopy and Histology: Immunohistochemistry, epifluorescence and light microscopy, laser-scanning
microscopy, voltage-sensitive dye imaging of acute brain slices, in vitro calcium imaging.
In vitro and In vivo Techniques: Culturing of primary neural stem cells and stem cell lines, fluorescence activated
cell sorting, in vitro transfection and transduction, neural stem cell transplantation in neonatal and adult rodents.
Bioinformatics: Proficiency in ImageJ, Volocity, and Igor Software.
FUNDING AWARDS AND SUPPORT
T32 NRSA Developmental Biology Training Grant
January 2011
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
January 2009 –
Distinguished Scholar Award
January 2007
January 2003 –
TANYA N. WEERAKKODY
CURRICULUM VITAE
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Dean’s Scholarship
January 2005
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Member of the Society for Neuroscience since 2010
January 2003 –