Bio

Merlin Thangaraj is pursuing her Ph.D. in neuroscience at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. She received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in zoology, specializing in biotechnology, with special distinctions from Lady Doak College, India. Merlin then worked as a lecturer and received a competitive lectureship from the Indian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. She was inspired by the research conducted in Dr. Nazarali’s laboratory of molecular cell biologyShe joined his group in 2011 and received the University of Saskatchewan’s prestigious International Dean’s Scholarship.

Research

Merlin is currently investigating the role of Sirtuin2 in myelination and the aging brain. Sirtuin2 is a histone deacetylase involved in the development of oligodendrocytes and myelination. Her research aims to advance knowledge to develop cellular and pharmacological therapies for myelin injuries and demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Merlin has won several presentation awards, including student research poster awards in 2014 at the UofS Life and Health Sciences Research Day, the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada annual conference, and the Canadian Pharmacy Education and Research conference.

After completing her Ph.D., Merlin wishes to pursue post-doctoral opportunities in biomedical research and the neurosciences. She is interested in understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases through investigating molecular mechanisms. Merlin’s goal is to continue in academia and secure a faculty position. 

Conference Abstracts

  • M.P. Thangaraj, J.R. Doucette, S. Ji, and A.J. Nazarali. 2014. Quaking regulates Sirtuin 2 expression during oligodendrocyte development and myelination. 44thAnnual Meeting of Neuroscience, November 15-19, Washington, DC.
  • M.P. Thangaraj, J.R. Doucette, S. Ji, and A.J. Nazarali. 2014. Functional requirement and regulation of SIRT2 during oligodendrocyte development and myelination. 71st AFPC Annual Conference and 5th Canadian Pharmacy Education and Research Conference, Saskatoon, SK. 2014 AFPC/Rx&D National Student Research Poster Award.
  • M.P. Thangaraj, J.R. Doucette, S. Ji, and A.J. Nazarali. 2014. Role of SIRT2 in oligodendrocyte development and myelination. 20th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience and 5th Annual NeuroDevNet Brain Development Conference, July 19-24, Montreal, Qc.
  • M.P. Thangaraj, J.R. Doucette, S. Ji, and A.J. Nazarali. 2014. Role of quaking in regulating the expression of SIRT2 during oligodendrocyte development and myelination. 21st  Annual Life and Health Sciences Research Day, March 14,  Saskatoon, SK. 1st Prize Student Poster.
  • M.P. Thangaraj, C. Gowri Priya, S. Rathinam, and V.R. Muthukkaruppan. 2010. Cytokine profile in the aqueous humor of parasitic granuloma. 18th Annual Meeting of the Indian Eye Research Group, July 31-August 1, Hyderabad, India.
  • M.P. Thangaraj, S. Amala Rani, and A.P.A. Rani Ashok. 2008. In silico modeling of adenosine deaminase – An effective drug target for plasmodium falciparum. National Seminar on Advances in Structural and Functional Bioinformatics, Bharathiyar University, India. 1st Place Poster.