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Nitish Narula

Bioinformatics Specialist

I have 7+ years of experience analyzing large volumes of Next Generation Sequencing data supporting a wide variety of research projects within the fields of genomics, phylogenomics, and population genetics. I am proficient in R, Python, SQL, Bash, and working with High Performance Computing clusters. I have also designed and managed multiple SQL-based biodiversity databases and am the principal data engineer behind antmaps.org, a prominent web research tool for biodiversity and myrmecology.


Education

M.S., Biology, Applied Statistics (minor)

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM

2014 - 2011

  • Thesis Title, “Utility and Limitations of Indels as Phylogenomic Characters”

B.S., Biology, Mathematics (minor)

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, AR

2011 - 2007

  • Honors College
  • Graduated summa cum laude

A.S., Chemistry

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, AR

2010 - 2007

Work Experience

Support Scientist

High Performace Computing Services

NIH, Maryland

2020

  • Provide guidance, support, and training to NIH intramural researchers
  • Research, implement, and document emerging computational tools for bioinformatics on the HPC

Bioinformatics Consultant (Remote)

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2020 - 2015

  • Catalog, clean, and assemble RAD-Seq genomic data from more than 8,000 invertebrate specimens
  • Create computational pipelines with open-source bioinformatics software and custom Python/R/SQL code
  • Schedule and manage HPC jobs

Research Computing Technician

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2015 - 2014

  • Assist with phylogenetic, genomic and population genetic analyses
  • Design, implement, and administer global specimen collection databases with PostgreSQL RDBMS
  • Manage computing resources including Linux VMs in production environment

Graduate Research Assistant

RoadRunner Genomics, Department of Biology

NMSU, New Mexico

2013 - 2011

  • Library preparation and sequencing with Roche FLX+
  • Read assembly and mapping
  • Support data cataloging and distribution

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Department of Biology (Shawn Krosnick’s lab)

SAU, Arkansas

2011 - 2010

  • Edit and assemble Sanger-based sequencing data



Research Experience

logo I have developed complex techniques in R to effectively estimate macroevolutionary processes in ants

Phylogenomics Analyst

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

2020 - 2015

  • Knit complex workflows to clean and assemble genomic data
  • Generate large-scale time calibrated phylogenies with RAD-Seq genomic data
  • Document methods and techniques for publication

Data Engineer

Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

University of Hong Kong

2020 - 2015

  • Design PostgresQL database to house millions of distribution records
  • Transform and load biodiversity data from disparate sources into SQL database
  • Manage and monitor antmaps.org server and backend processes

Research Intern

Page Lab, Whitehead Institute

MIT, Massachusetts

2010

  • Characterize ampliconic gene function using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on the Chicken Z chromosome
  • Identify ampliconic genes on the Zebra Finch Z chromosome using computational techniques

Research Intern

McNabb Lab, Department of Biology

University of Arkansas

2009

  • Construct histatin-resistant strains of Candida albicans by gene knockout via homologous recombination




Publications

logo My graduate work with avian genomes introduced me to the field of bioinformatics

Phylogenetic signal of indels and the neoavian radiation

Diversity

N/A

2019

  • Houde, Peter; Braun, Edward L; Narula, Nitish; Minjares, Uriel; Mirarab, Siavash

Evolution of the latitudinal diversity gradient in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole

Global Ecology and Biogeography

N/A

2019

  • Economo, Evan P; Huang, Jen-Pan; Fischer, Georg; Sarnat, Eli M; Narula, Nitish; Janda, Milan; Guénard, Benoit; Longino, John T; Knowles, L Lacey

Macroecology and macroevolution of the latitudinal diversity gradient in ants

Nature Communications

N/A

2018

  • Economo, Evan P; Narula, Nitish; Friedman, Nicholas R; Weiser, Michael D; Guénard, Benoit

The Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics (GABI) database: synthesizing data on the geographic distribution of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Myrmecological News

N/A

2017

  • Guénard, Benoit; Weiser, Michael D.; Gómez, Kiko; Narula, Nitish; Economo, Evan P

Visualizing and interacting with large-volume biodiversity data using client–server web-mapping applications: The design and implementation of antmaps.org

Ecological Informatics

N/A

2016

  • Janicki, Julia; Narula, Nitish; Ziegler, Matt; Guénard, Benoit; Economo, Evan P

Talks and Posters

Utility and Limitations of Indels as Phylogenomic Characters (Talk)

Evolution

Snowbird, UT

2013

  • Nominated for Ernst Mayr award

Identification of Ampliconic Regions on the Zebra Finch Z Chromosome (Poster)

ABRCMS 2010

Charlotte, NC

2010

  • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
  • 2010 Poster Presentation award

Workshops

Languages

  • English (Fluent)
  • Hindi (Native)
  • Japanese (Beginner)
  • Spanish (Beginner)

New Methods for Phylogenomics and Metagenomics

University of Texas

Austin, TX

2013

  • Travel award recipient

2nd Annual Undergraduate Plant Systematics Workshop

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

Claremont, CA

2010

References

Dr. Evan Economo

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit

OIST, Japan

N/A

  • Assistant Professor of Biology
  • economo [at] oist.jp

Dr. Benoit Guénard

Insect Biodiversity & Biogeography Lab

University of Hong Kong

N/A

  • Assistant Professor of Biology
  • bguenard [at] hku.hk

Dr. Peter Houde

Department of Biology

NMSU, New Mexico

N/A

  • Professor of Biology
  • phoude [at] nmsu.edu