Lecturer in Biotechnology

Teaching and Learning Centre, 3rd Floor

Department of Life Sciences

The University of The West Indies

St. Augustine

Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: (868) 662-2002 Ext. 85243

Email: rajini.haraksingh@sta.uwi.edu


My research focuses on mapping and characterizing elements of the human genome in order to understand the functional consequences of human genetic variation on diverse human phenotypes including beneficial and disease traits. I employ state of the art genomics techniques and computational approaches to unravel the complexities of the genome and its uses for clinical diagnostics. In particular, I am interested in applying these techniques to characterize the unique genomes of Caribbean populations. I hope to be able to discern some of the underlying genetic causes of the diseases to which we are particularly prone. As such, I am a member of the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN), a project aimed at studying the epidemiology and underlying genetics behind the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the Caribbean.

Qualifications

  • • Ph.D., Human Genetics (2012) Yale University, U.S.A. Dissertation: Genome-wide mapping and functional analysis of Copy Number Variation in the human genome.
  • • M.Sc., Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (2008) Yale University, U.S.A.
  • • S.B. Mathematics & S.B. Biology (2005) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A.

Fellowships and Training

  • • Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Genetics (2012-2015) Stanford University, U.S.A.

Honours and Awards

  • • 2013 Trinidad and Tobago National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (NIHERST) Frank Rampersad Award for Junior Scientist for Excellence in Science and Technology
  • • 2001-2003 MIT ‘Class of 1933 Kimball Scholarship’ recipient
  • • 2001 International Mathematics Olympiad, Washington D.C., U.S.A. – Bronze Medal

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network

Courses Taught

  • • Medical Biotechnology BIOL3363 (UWI, Semester 1, 2014-2016)
  • • Introduction to Bioinformatics BIOL3263 (UWI, Semester 1, 2014-2016)
  • • Principles of Molecular Biology BIOL2164 (UWI, Semester 2, 2015-2016)
  • • Research Project BIOL3069 (UWI, Semester 2, 2015-2016)
  • • Molecular Biology & R-DNA Technology BIOT 6000 (UWI MSc. in Biotechnology, Semester 1, 2015-2016)

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