Education

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

2022-Current

University of Virginia, Virginia

Post-translational modifications of PCDH15

Advisor: Prof. Xiaowei Lu

B.S. in Biological Sciences

2018-2022

Nazarbayev University,

Dean's List (7x)

Relevant Coursework

  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Structural Bioinformatics
  • Programming for Scientists and Engineers

Certifications

  • Peach Fellowship • University of Virginia, Spring 2023
  • Double Hoo award • University of Virginia, Spring 2024

Research

Graduate Researcher

Mar 2023 - Current

Prof. Xiaowei Lu Lab, University of Virginia

Principal Investigator: Prof. Xiaowei Lu

Key Contributions:

  • Project: The role of post-translational modifications of PCDH15 in hair bundle morphogenesis and function

Techniques:

ImmunohistochemistryConfocal MicroscopyFluorescent MicroscopyScanning Electron Microscopy ImagingABR measurementWestern Blot

Undergraduate Researcher

Jun 2019 - Jun 2022

Prof. Anna Andreeva Lab, Nazarbayev University

Principal Investigator: Prof. Anna Andreeva

Key Contributions:

  • Project: Influence of covalent modifications on PCDH15-CD2 on its interaction with potential binding partners in the inner ear

Techniques:

Site-directed mutagenesisWestern BlotImmunoprecipitationSucrose Gradient FractionationAffinity Protein PurificationIn vitro binding assay

Technical Skills

Wet Lab

  • Western Blot
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microscopy
  • Site-directed mutagenesis
  • Protein purification

Computational

  • SnapGene
  • Benchling
  • PyMOL
  • LaTeX

Other Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • ChemDraw
  • Notion

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Xie, Nicholas, Malt, Andre L., Adylkhan, Aray, Rodeman, Natalie, Borges, Ricardo M., Hwang, Diane, Liu, Alice, Smith, Connor, Hogan, Arielle, Lu, Xiaowei (2024). Wnt7b acts in concert with Wnt5a to regulate tissue elongation and planar cell polarity via noncanonical Wnt signaling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(35), e2405217121.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405217121

Conference Presentations

Adylkhan, Aray. .

Poster Presenter at 47th MidWinter Meeting of Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), Anaheim, CA • 2024

Adylkhan, Aray. .

Participant at 46th MidWinter Meeting of Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), Orlando, FL • 2023

Leadership

Academic Service

Teaching Assistant

August 2024

CCIB Summer Preparation Course, University of Virginia

  • Served as a teaching assistant for the CCIB Summer Preparation Course for incoming BIMS graduate students

State Tournament Administrator

March 2023

Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO), University of Virginia

  • Administered and graded the Cell Biology section for 48 students from diverse backgrounds across the state

Community Outreach

Beyond Curriculum Public Foundation

Jan 2021 - Jul 2022

Director • Beyond Curriculum Public Foundation

Nonprofit aimed to popularize STEM and ensure equitable access to educational resources

  • Managed 60 volunteers
  • Organized a science festival with 50+ high school attendees and 5 expert speakers
  • Led the 4th Biology Olympiad jury, overseeing 100+ student participants
  • Optimized internal operations and amplified reach through institutional partnerships

Professional Memberships

Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO)Member, 2023-Present