Kevin completed his BBiomedSc and BEng in Chem (Hons) at Monash University, Australia. Through his undergraduate study, Kevin developed a strong interest in biotechnological R&D as well as a passion of integrating the knowledge he learnt from both the fields of engineering and biomedical science to improve the performance and sustainability of industrial bio-production systems.

In his current PhD project, Kevin is trying to study microbial cell culture phenotypic heterogeneity amongst isogenic populations through the lens of recombinant protein production, metabolic burden, cellular stress responses and cell-to-cell communication at both single-cell and population levels. Kevin hopes that the knowledge obtained from this project would translate into a microbial bioprocess optimisation strategy to make bioprocess performance more predictable, controllable and consistent.

Ankita is a microbiologist from India. She completed her Bachelors of Science (Hons.) Microbiology and Masters of Science (Microbiology) from University of Delhi, India.

During her Bachelor’s she gained an interest in recombinant protein production in microorganisms and her Master’s degree further piqued her curiosity in understanding and improving protein production.

Ankita moved to Australia to pursue her passion for research through a PhD at Monash university. Ankita’s PhD project is focussed on developing a novel lipid body-based protein secretory pathway in yeast for improving therapeutic protein production. Her research project will aid in producing therapeutic proteins in a cost-efficient manner, making them more accessible to the world’s population.

Brian is a student from Melbourne who has called Monash home for the entirety of his academic career. At Monash, Brian has completed his B Sc in Chemistry, B Eng in Chemical Engineering and a M Adv Eng in Renewable and Sustainable Energy. Through his undergraduate degree, Brian gained a keen interest into the development of renewable energy, which was cultivated and refined through his Master’s degree. To further nurture his interest in the development of renewable energy, it was an inevitable choice for Brian to pursue research in this area through a PhD. As a result, Brian’s PhD project will look at the development of microbial electrosynthesis with Escherichia coli to produce biofuel products through sustainable means. Essentially the research project will allow for the incorporation of the future abundant supply of renewable electricity with microorganisms to produce true carbon neutral biofuels, that will help to mitigate the reliance of petroleum based transportation fuels.

Outside of research Brian has a strong passion for food and eating. This is encouraged by Melbourne’s vibrant food culture, but as a result he spends far too much money and daily calories in the pursuit of good meals.