Ekaterina Leybina

MSc Cell and Gene Therapy Graduate (Distinction) at UCL | First-class BSc in Medical Genetics at QMUL | Experience as a Research Intern at John Innes Centre

London, England, United Kingdom

About

Experience

  • Volunteer Research Assistant at Ruach Tech
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    AI-assisted literature review in neuroscience, contributing to the development and refinement of foundational ideas.

  • Postgraduate Student Researcher at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
    Apr 2025 - Aug 2025 · 5 mos

    - Designed and tested antisense oligonucleotides targeting the TGF-β signalling in fibrosis, contributing to early-stage therapeutic target validation. - Performed mammalian cell culture using strict aseptic technique, ensuring experimental consistency. - Conducted RNA extraction and RT-qPCR to quantify pathway modulation and assess ASO efficacy. - Analysed gene expression data using R and GraphPad Prism, generating publication-quality figures to support data-driven conclusions. - Maintained structured experimental records while planning and prioritising parallel assays to meet project timelines. - Synthesised primary literature on RNA therapeutics and pathway biology to inform experimental strategy and translational relevance.

  • Undergraduate Student Researcher at Blizard Institute
    Sep 2023 - Apr 2024 · 8 mos

    - Investigated epigenetic regulation (H4K16ac) of LINE-1 retroelements during neuronal differentiation using iPSC-derived cerebral organoids, providing direct experience with brain-relevant model systems. - Performed immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis (ImageJ), applying statistical methods to compare phenotypes across experimental conditions. - Maintained consistent experimental records in electronic and paper formats, ensuring reproducibility and attention to detail.

  • Laboratory Research Intern at John Innes Centre
    May 2023 - Sep 2023 · 5 mos

    Practiced in Dr. Dmitry Ghilarov's molecular biology lab. • Executed PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis of E. coli plasmids, focusing on gyrase gene to support advanced structural studies of enzyme mechanisms • Optimized and managed bacterial cultures for the high-efficiency expression of mutant gyrase proteins, monitoring expression yields and ensuring consistency across experimental runs • Isolated E. coli plasmid DNA, employing protocols to maximize plasmid yield and minimize contaminants for reliable downstream applications • Conducted DNA extraction followed by multi-step purification of target DNA using size-exclusion chromatography • Performed comprehensive analysis of scientific literature to guide experimental design; maintained meticulous experimental records and conducted statistical analysis of data • Developed and delivered a series of presentations detailing experimental findings, showcasing key data points and their implications to laboratory colleagues in an engaging and accessible format, fostering collaborative discussions

  • Mentor at QMUL PASS Scheme
    Sep 2022 - May 2023 · 9 mos

    • Coordinated learning support for first-year undergraduate students, guiding them to meet individual academic needs and encourage effective study habits • Provided mentorship and developed strategies to support students in the university environment, fostering academic engagement and collaborative learning • Strengthened interpersonal and communication skills by working with diverse groups of students