Visual Science

Education

2013-Present: University of Toronto at Mississauga, ON

Currently completing the Biomedical Communications Professional Masters Program

2008-2013: University of Toronto at Mississauga, ON

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medicinal Chemistry
Synthesizing small molecules inhibitors of protein-protein interactions for use as cancer therapeutics
Utilized computational methods for designing an effective pharmacophore

2004-2008: University of Toronto at Mississauga, ON

Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) degree with high distinction
Major in biology and minor in chemistry and mathematics
Relevant courses completed: molecular biology, advanced cell biology, anatomy and physiology, vertebrate form and function, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, organic synthesis, physical chemistry.

Professional Experience

2013 - Present: Chief Presiding Officer at Mississauga, ON

Worked with the Examinations office to invigilate undergraduate examinations- University of Toronto Mississauga
Ensured that exams were held in a manner consistent with the regulations established by the University of Toronto.

2008 - Present: Teaching Assistant at Mississauga, ON

Introductory and Second Year Organic Chemistry TA- University of Toronto Mississauga
Managed a classroom of students, guided them through their laboratories, marked and provided feedback on tests/assignments and assisted them with fundamental chemistry questions

2013: Guest Lecturer at Mississauga, ON

Second Year Organic Chemistry (CHM243) - University of Toronto Mississauga
Presented 2-weeks of lectures on aromatic compounds (Electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitutions)

2011: Guest Lecturer at Mississauga, ON

Second Year Organic Chemistry (CHM243)- University of Toronto Mississauga
Presented lectures on the reactivity of the carbonyl functionality (Reduction and addition reactions)

2011: HPLC Operator at Mississauga, ON

Contracted HPLC Method Developer - University of Toronto
Calibrated HPLC and developed method for separating pigments from plant extracts.

2008: NSERC Research Position at Mississauga, ON

Chemical Researcher –University of Toronto Mississauga
Completed an independent project in the field of organic synthesis

2004 – 2008: Accurate One-On-One Tutoring at Brampton, ON

High School and University Tutor
Clarified concepts from a variety of disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology)

2006: Interactive Learning Adventure at Brampton, ON

Computer Teacher for Elementary School Students
Directed a classroom of students in completing a number of computer based activities.

Awards and Honours

CIHR Health Research Communication Award (2013-2015)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2011-2013), Ontario
Teaching Reduction Award (2010), University of Toronto
John Bunting Chemistry Prize Award (2010), University of Toronto
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) USRA (2008), Canada
University of Toronto Scholars Award (2005 and 2007)
Awarded an admission scholarship to the University of Toronto at Mississauga (2004)

Publications

Haftchenary, S.; Ball, D.P.; Aubry, I.; Landry, M.; Shahani, V.M.; Fletcher, S.; Page, B.D.G; Jouk, A.O.; Tremblay, M.L.; Gunning, P.T. (2013) "Identification of a Potent Salicylic Acid-based Inhibitor of Tyrosine Phosphatase PTP1B." MedChemComm.

Shahani, V.M.; Ball, D.P.; Ramos, A.V.; Li, Z.; Spagnulo, P.A.; Haftchenary, S.; Trudel, S.; Schimmer, A.D.; Gunning P.T. (2013) "A 2,6,9- hetero-trisubstituted purine inhibitor exhibits potent biological effects against multiple myeloma cells". Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry.

Lukkarila, J.L.; da Silva, S.R.; Ali, M.; Shahani, V.M.; Xu, W.G.; Berman, J.; Roughton, A.; Dhe-Paganon, S.; Schimmer, A.D.; Gunning, P.T. (2011) "Identification of NAE Inhibitors Exhibiting Potent Activity in Leukemia Cells: Exploring the Structural Determinants of NAE Specificity."ACS Med. Chem. Lett. (2), 577–582.

Shahani, V.M.; Fletcher, S.; Yue, P.; Luu, D.; Sharmeen, S.; Schimmer, A.S.; Turkson, J.; Gunning, P. T. (2011) "Design, synthesis and in vitro characterization of novel hybrid peptidomimetic inhibitors of STAT3 protein." Bioorg. Med. Chem. (19), 1823-1838.

Shahani, V.M.; Yue, P.; Haftchenary, S.; Zhao, W.; Lukkarila, J.; Zhang, X.; Ball, D.; Nona, C.; Gunning, P. T.; Turkson, J. (2011) "Identification of purine-scaffold small-molecule inhibitors of Stat3 activation by quantitative structure activity relationship studies." ACS Med. Chem. Lett., 2011, 2 (1), pp 79–84.

Fletcher, S.; Shahani, V.M.; and Gunning, P.T. (2010) "Concise access to N9-mono-, N2-mono- and N2,N9-di-substituted guanines via efficient Mitsunobu reactions." Tetrahedron. (66), 4621-4632.

Fletcher, S.; Drewry, J.; Shahani, V.M.; Page, B.D.G; Gunning, P.T.; (2009) "Molecular Disruption of Oncogenic Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) Protein." Biochem. Cell Biol. (87), 825-833.

Fletcher, S.; Singh, J.; Zhange, X.; Yue, P,; Page, B.D.G.; Sharmeen, S.; Shahani, V.M.; Schimmer, A.D.; Turkson, J.; Gunning, P.T. (2009) "Disruption of Transcriptionally Active Stat3 Dimers with Non-phosphorylated, Salicylic Acid-Based Small Molecules: Potent in vitro and Tumor Cell Activities." ChemBioChem, (10), 1959-1964.

Fletcher, S.; Shahani, V.M.; Gunning, P.T. (2009) "Facile and efficient access to 2,6,9-tri-substituted purines through sequential N9, N2 Mitsunobu reactions." Tet. Lett. (50), 4258-4261.

Presentations

Shahani, V.M.; Ball, D.P.; and Gunning, P. T. "Second Generation Purine Inhibitors of Stat3 Show Greater Than 6-fold Increased Activity Over Previous Library" 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Calgary, AB, Canada. Oral Presentation. June 2012.

Shahani, V.M.; Ball, D.P.; and Gunning, P. T. "Decorating purine-based STAT3 inhibitors with drug-like functionalities to improve cell permeability and anti-cancer potency" 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Montreal, QC, Canada. Oral Presentation. June 2011.

Shahani, V.M.; Fletcher, S.; and Gunning, P. T. “Utilizing a pharmacophore model for the development of potent small molecule inhibitors of STAT3 function” ACS National Meeting. Boston, MA, USA. Poster Presentation. August 2010.

Haftchenary, C.; Shahani, V.M.; Fletcher, S.; and Gunning, P. T. “Design and Synthesis of 2,6,9-hetero-trisubstituted Purine Inhibitors of the Stat3-SH2 Domain” 93rd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Poster Presentation. May 2010.

Shahani, V.M.; Fletcher, S.; and Gunning, P. T. “A Peptidomimetic STAT3 Inhibitor Sensitizes Human Prostate Cancer Cells to Chemotherapeutic Treatment: A Promising Synergistic Combination Strategy” 93rd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Oral Presentation. May 2010.

Shahani, V.M; Fletcher, S.; and Gunning, P. T. “Strategic Design and Synthesis of Highly Effective Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of STAT3” 92nd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Poster Presentation. May 2009.

Skills/Interests/Associations

Visualization Tools

Traditional Media (pen and ink, carbon dust, and wash).
Digital Media (illustrator, photoshop, dreamweaver, and cinema4D)

Laboratory Skills

Separation Techniques (TLC, flash column chromatography, analytical and preparative HPLC).
Biological Techniques (PCR, gel electrophoresis, centrifugation, biological dissection). Knowledge of computational methods, including: 3D molecule imaging (pyMOL), geometry optimization (ChemDraw3D/ArgusLab) and ligand docking (GOLD)

Interests

Using molecular mimicry and organic synthesis to develop novel molecules for use in biological applications.The use of visualization tools for the transmission of complex ideas in education.

Associations