CV

Education

• Ph.D. in Clinical Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Cleveland State University, 2018
• M.S. in Analytical Chemistry, Governors State University, 2009
• B.S. in Pharmacy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, 2007

Work experience

• Project Staff - Bioimage Analysis Core (2026-present)
  Imaging Core, Cleveland Clinic Research, Cleveland, OH
  • Bioimage Analysis Core: Established and launched the Bioimage Analysis Core at Cleveland Clinic Research to support institution-wide data analysis need.
  • Leadership: Lead and coordinate a team of bioimage analysis experts, providing centralized analytical support for research projects across multiple disciplines.
  • Scientific Communication: Independently manage consultations with internal investigators and external research clients, guide projects from experimental design through analysis to translate complex bioimaging and computational concepts into accessible, actionable insight.
  • Research Collaboration: A successful track record of multidisciplinary research collaborations, contributing intellectually and technically to projects resulting in co‑authorship in several high‑impact journals.
• Research Associate - Bioimaging and Bioimage Analysis (2021-2026)
  Imaging Core, Cleveland Clinic Research, Cleveland, OH
  • Bioimage Informatics: Expanded bioimage informatics services to support investigators at the Lerner Research Institute and partner institutions.
  • Consultation & Experimental Design: Provided expert guidance on experimental design, image acquisition strategies, and advanced image analysis for high‑content imaging experiments.
  • Data Processing: Designed and implemented automated, scalable analysis workflows for large imaging datasets, significantly improving efficiency and reproducibility.
  • Training & Education: Delivered comprehensive training to investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff on cutting‑edge in silico methods for quantitative image analysis.
  • Research Collaboration: Collaborated closely with investigators on multidisciplinary research projects, contributing intellectually and technically to studies published in high‑impact journals.
  • Web Application Development: Developed Resource Tracker Web, a web application to track shared instrument usage and enable billing integration with iLab.
  • Technical Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Maintained and supported high‑performance workstations, specialized software environments, and microscopy systems; resolved complex hardware and software issues.
• Imaging Specialist - Light and Electron Microscopy (2018-2021)
  Imaging Core, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH
  • Provided imaging consultation and training for confocal, TIRF, multispectral and scanning electron microscopy. Offer image processing and data analysis support to biomedical researchers.
  • Developed in-house image analysis protocols using open-source as well as commercial software to reveals multi-parameter cellular expressions and interactions while retaining spatial context for whole slide multispectral imaging.
  • Developed Resource Tracker 2.0 to verify user, verify activity number, track instrument usage, and bill user activities in iLab for Imaging Core users.
• Postdoctoral Fellow - Immunology (2018-2019)
  Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  • Investigated role of Myo18a in regulation of humoral immunity by studying spatio-temporal distribution of Myo18a within B cells
  • Explored morphological features of murine B cells from WT and KO mice using Scanning Electron Microscopy.
• Graduate Assistant (2012-2015)
  Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
  • Duties included: Supervise operations and maintain Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Facility. Provide support and teach labs for SEM and EDS analysis to graduate and undergraduate students.
• Graduate Assistant (2008-2009)
  Governors State University, University Park, IL
  • Duties included: Taught labs for physical chemistry and instrumental analysis to undergraduate students. Maintain Agilent LC/MSD-Trap, BRUKER NMR 300, Varian GC/MS/MS, and Thermo ATR FTIR. Help students develop a method for their sample extraction and analysis using spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Marketing Representative (2007)
  Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited
  • Successfully promoted with increase in sales of Thromboflux in Ahmedabad territory.
• QC Chemist Intern (2007)
  Trio Pharma, Ahmedabad, India.
  • Analyse raw material and maintain record for each batch.

Skills

• Light Microscopy
  • Cell and tissue imaging using confocal, multi-photon and TIRF microscopy
  • Hyperspectral and multispectral imaging for multiplex slides
• Electron Microscopy
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for biomaterials.
  • Low kV SEM for cell, tissue and biofilm imaging
• Image processing (ImageJ, QuPath, CellProfiler, Volocity, Digital Micrograph, Image-Pro, HALO, MATLAB)
  • Whole slide multiplex analysis
  • 3D volume processing & analysis for confocal and MRI data
  • Track cells and characterize cell migration for time-lapse microscopy data.
• Machine learning and data science
  • Deep learning for tissue and cell segmentation for the whole slide image analysis
  • Single cell and spatial analysis (Clustering, Classification and Dimensionality reduction)
• Raman chemical imaging
  • Map crystalline domain for implant material (Poly-L-lactic acid) using Raman imaging.
  • Chemometric and MATLAB: Analyze Raman spectral imaging data
• Chromatography
  • Extraction and analysis of Melamine from milk products using LC-MS and GC-MS.
• Programming & Hardware
  • Strong knowledge of object-oriented programing and application development tools.
  • Version control for software development (Git, Github)
  • MATLAB and Python for data analysis and visualization.
  • Build infrastructure for image analysis, deep learning and data science applications.
  • Deployed LLM models on local infrastructure for AI and agentic workflow.

Publications

NCBI Bibliography Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1zcevUesrNp59w/bibliography/public/

A novel surface plasmon coupled tunable wavelength filter for hyperspectral imaging

John F. Turner II, and Ajaykumar H. Zalavadia, "A novel surface plasmon coupled tunable wavelength filter for hyperspectral imaging", Proc. SPIE 10376, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XX, 103760A (24 August 2017).

A Broadly Tunable Surface Plasmon-Coupled Wavelength Filter for Visible and Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging

Zalavadia, Ajaykumar. "A Broadly Tunable Surface Plasmon-Coupled Wavelength Filter for Visible and Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging." Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Cleveland State University, 2018. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. 16 Jun 2020.

Cardiac expression of microRNA-7 is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling

Gupta, M.K., Sahu, A., Sun, Y. et al. Cardiac expression of microRNA-7 is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling. Sci Rep 11, 22018 (2021).

P-Cadherin Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Cell Migration and Mucosal Repair, but is Dispensable for Colitis Associated Colon Cancer

Naydenov, N.G.; Lechuga, S.; Zalavadia, A.; Mukherjee, P.K.; Gordon, I.O.; Skvasik, D.; Vidovic, P.; Huang, E.; Rieder, F.; Ivanov, A.I. P-Cadherin Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Cell Migration and Mucosal Repair, but Is Dispensable for Colitis Associated Colon Cancer. Cells 2022, 11, 1467.

Adaptation to chronic ER stress enforces pancreatic β-cell plasticity

Chien-Wen Chen, Bo-Jhih Guan, Mohammed Alzahrani, Zhaofeng Gao, Long Gao, Syrena Bracey, Jing Wu, Cheikh Mbow, Raul Jobava, Leena Haataja, Ajay Zalavadia, Ashleigh Schaffer, Hugo Hugo Lee, Thomas Laframboise, Ilya Bederman, Peter Arvan, Clayton Mathews, Ivan Gerling, Klaus Kaestner, Boaz Tirosh, Feyza Engin, Maria Hatzoglou. Adaptation to chronic ER stress enforces pancreatic β-cell plasticity. Nature Communications, 13, 4621 (2022).

The MIF promoter SNP rs755622 is associated with immune activation in glioblastoma

Alban, T.J., Grabowski, M.M., Otvos, B., Bayik, D., Wang, W., Zalavadia, A., Makarov, V., Troike, K., McGraw, M., Rabljenovic, A. and Lauko, A., 2023. The MIF promoter SNP rs755622 is associated with immune activation in glioblastoma. JCI insight, 8(13).

Ifit2 restricts murine coronavirus spread to the spinal cord white matter and its associated myelin pathology

Madhav Sharma, Debanjana Chakravarty, Ajay Zalavadia, Amy Burrows, Patricia Rayman, Nikhil Sharma, Lawrence C. Kenyon, Cornelia Bergmann, Ganes C. Sen, Jayasri Das Sarma. Ifit2 restricts murine coronavirus spread to the spinal cord white matter and its associated myelin pathology. Journal of Virology. e00749-23. doi:10.1128/jvi.00749-23

VISTA promotes the metabolism and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by STAT3 and polyamine-dependent mechanisms

Zhang, K., Zakeri, A., Alban, T., Dong, J., Ta, H. M., Zalavadia, A. H., Branicky, A., Zhao, H., Juric, I., Husich, H., Parthasarathy, P. B., Rupani, A., Drazba, J. A., Chakraborty, A. A., Ching-Cheng Huang, S., Chan, T., Avril, S., & Wang, L. L. (2024). VISTA promotes the metabolism and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by STAT3 and polyamine-dependent mechanisms. Cell reports, 43(1), 113661.

Coactosin-like protein 1 regulates integrity and repair of model intestinal epithelial barriers via actin binding dependent and independent mechanisms

Lechuga, S., Marino-Melendez, A., Davis, A., Zalavadia, A., Khan, A., Longworth, M. S., & Ivanov, A. I. (2024). Coactosin-like protein 1 regulates integrity and repair of model intestinal epithelial barriers via actin binding dependent and independent mechanisms. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 12, 1405454.

Leveraging dysregulated tumor metabolism for targeting anticancer bacteria

Santos A, Wang Z, Bharti R, Dey G, Sangwan N, Baldwin W, Zalavadia A, Myers A, Huffman OG, Lathia JD, Hazen SL, Reizes O, Dwidar M. Leveraging dysregulated tumor metabolism for targeting anticancer bacteria. Sci Adv. 2025 Jun 13;11(24):eads1630. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ads1630. Epub 2025 Jun 13. PMID: 40512849; PMCID: PMC12164975.

Microbial Metabolite 4EPS Inhibits AT1R to Reduce Blood Pressure and Aortic Aneurysm Outcome

Harford TJ, Singh KD, Pardhi TR, Desnoyer R, Ravi T, Jara ZP, Zalavadia A, Stenson K, Naga Prasad SV, Karnik SS. Microbial Metabolite 4EPS Inhibits AT1R to Reduce Blood Pressure and Aortic Aneurysm Outcome. Hypertension. 2026 Jan 22. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.125.25364. PMID: 41568432.

Myosin IIA motor regulates attaching-effacing bacteria interactions with intestinal epithelium

Naydenov NG, Zafar A, Lechuga S, Zalavadia A, Marino-Melendez A, Hammer JA, Fowler VM, McDonald C, Campellone KG, Ivanov AI. Myosin IIA motor regulates attaching-effacing bacteria interactions with intestinal epithelium. Gut Microbes. 2026 Dec 31;18(1):2638002. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2026.2638002. Epub 2026 Feb 28. PMID: 41761878; PMCID: PMC12959189.

Multiplexed Immunofluorescent Characterization of T-Cell and Myeloid Cell Populations Reveals Histologic Subtype Differences Within the Immunosuppressive Landscape of Human Basal Cell Carcinoma

Shen AS, Heusinkveld LE, Zalavadia A, Branicky A, Anand S, Piliang M, Maytin EV. Multiplexed Immunofluorescent Characterization of T-Cell and Myeloid Cell Populations Reveals Histologic Subtype Differences Within the Immunosuppressive Landscape of Human Basal Cell Carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol. 2026 Mar 31. doi: 10.1111/cup.70098. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41916617.

Talks

FT-IR Imaging.

January 01, 2008

Conference proceedings talk at Chemistry Club Poster Presentation 2008, Governors State University, Governors State University, University Park, IL

Aspects of GC/MS and LC/MS analysis for Melamine in milk.

January 01, 2009

Conference proceedings talk at 15th Annual Student Research Conference 2009, Governors State University, Governors State University, University Park, IL

High Fidelity Raman Chemical Imaging using an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter.

April 15, 2011

Conference proceedings talk at College of Sciences and Health Professions Research Day 2011, Cleveland State University, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

A Novel Virtually Imaged Phased Array Surface Plasmon Wavelength Filter for High Resolution Spectroscopy.

March 13, 2012

Conference proceedings talk at Pittcon 2012, Orlando, FL

Design and theoretical modeling of a hybrid virtually phased array surface plasmon wavelength filter

April 20, 2012

Conference proceedings talk at College of science annual research day 2012, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

Surface plasmon imaged phased array (SPIPA): Design and modeling

June 15, 2012

Conference proceedings talk at Polymer Initiative Northeast Ohio 2012, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Surface Plasmon Imaged Phased Array: Design and theoretical Modeling.

November 03, 2012

Conference proceedings talk at Cleveland State Interdisciplinary Research Conference 2012, Cleveland, OH

SPIPA (Surface Plasmon Imaged Phased Array) An ultra narrow bandpass filter for spectroscopy and spectral imaging.

March 18, 2013

Conference proceedings talk at Pittcon 2013, Philadelphia, PA

A Broadly Tunable Surface Plasmon-Coupled Wavelength Filter for Wide-Field Visible and Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging.

March 02, 2014

Conference proceedings talk at Pittcon 2014, Chicago, IL

Wide-field Hyperspectral Imaging and Spectroscopy using Surface Plasmon-Coupled Wavelength Filter.

October 02, 2014

Conference proceedings talk at SCIX 2014, Reno, NV

A Tunable Surface Plasmon-Coupled Wide-Field Hyperspectral Imaging Filter.

March 11, 2015

Conference proceedings talk at Pittcon 2015, New Orleans, LA

Explore tumor microenvironment using multiplex immunofluorescence and spatial analysis (Bioimaging and Image analysis)

July 27, 2021

Department Seminar at Promotion Seminar - Shared Laboratory Resources, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Teaching

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

Instructor of Molecular Medicine

Service and leadership

• Lead developer for the core billing software and iLab integration.
• Research Associate/Project Scientist Leadership Council