Principal Investigator

My research interests are applying Microbiology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary methods, and Next Generation Sequencing methods to solve challenges related to:

• Probiotics, Immune mechanisms, Disease Biomarkers, Autoimmunity

• Environmental Pollutants, Waste treatment, Novel microbes. 

Research Scholar (2019 - present)

Arjun is interested in studying bacterial populations using different genomics approaches. His area of research focuses on utilizing comparative genomics to identify taxa-specific signature sequences which can potentially represent a bacterial population. Before joining the lab, he was working on understanding how genetic divergence can contribute to reproductive isolation resulting in the speciation and adaptation of Drosophila species.

Research Scholar (2020 - present)

Rashmi’s core interest is in Microbiology and Next Generation Sequencing. She has experience in 16S metagenomic sequencing on the Illumina platform. Her research work is focused on designing of microbial consortia for wastewater treatment, biogas production, and degradation of natural and synthetic polymers using metagenomics and comparative transcriptomic approaches.

Research Scholar (2021 - present)

Pratyusha is a DST-Inspire fellow. Her research interest lies in Human genome analysis, Autoimmunity, and human health. Previously, she has worked on human ChIP-Seq datasets and natural fungal pigment extraction for dyeing applications. In the Systems Biology lab, she is interested in learning about the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders using multi-OMICS, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and Immunoinformatics approaches . Besides research, Pratyusha enjoys Cooking, Music, Painting, Poem writing, and spending time with the natural scenic beauty in her free time.

Research Scholar (2022 - present)

Sandhya has done her graduation and post-graduation in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai. Her previous work involved total lipids isolation from algae cells for biodiesel conversion as a cure for algal bloom due to eutrophication. She is currently working on a microbial approach for pollutant degradation as a process of bioremediation.

Senior Project Scientist for NGS (2022- present)

Dr. Gurunathan is working as a Senior Project Scientist for the NGS facility in the lab. He has expertise in specialized fields including Microbial Biotechnology, Microbial Bioinformatics, Bacteriology, Bioprocess Technology, Bioprogramming, Immunology, and Genomics & Proteomics. He is trained in designing, planning, handling, and managing NGS sequencing experiments.

Ph.D. Scholar (2023-Present)

Harshita joined the lab in Aug 2023. She did her post graduation from JUIT, Waknaghat and graduation from University of Delhi. Her previous work involved biochemical characterization and application of phytase enzyme. Later, she worked on the testing of dairy products at the National Referral Centre for Milk Quality and Safety (NRCMQS). She is currently working on fermented food products.

Ph.D. Scholar (2023-Present)

Rija is a DST INSPIRE fellow. She completed her Masters in Biotechnology from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. She has previously worked on mice model to study inflammatory diseases. Her research interest revolves around health and diseases and is currently working on the underlying genetic determinants associated with autoimmune diseases. Apart from research, she also loves painting, dancing, cooking, exploring new places, and reading novels.

Ph.D. Scholar (2023-Present)

Shweta joined the lab as a PhD scholar in Aug 2023. She completed her MTech in Biotechnology from IIT Guwahati where she worked on the production of bioethanol using wheat straw by co-culturing fungi and yeasts. Thereafter, she worked as a JRF at BITS, Pilani. Currently, she is working on degradation of lignocellulosic waste.

M.tech Student (2023-Present)

As a part of her Mtech thesis, Prithvi is working on Autoimmunity using in silico approach.

M.tech Student (2023-Present)

Ananya is doing her Mtech thesis work on biodegradation of polymers.

M.tech (Research) Student (2023-Present)

Vanshika is enrolled in M. Tech. (Research) degree program. She completed her Bachelors in Biotechnology from Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. She has previously worked on Plant Tissue Culture and her current research project is focused on Auto-immune diseases.

M.tech (Research) Student (2023-Present

Pankaj is enrolled in M.tech. (Research) degree program. Pankaj's research is focused on the application of systems biology and bioinformatics approaches in bio-degradation of polymers.