Lab Members

Robert Sonowal received his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Delhi. He obtained his PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He completed his post-doctoral training at Dr. Daniel Kalman’s lab at Emory University. Prior to joining IIT Kanpur, he was a Research Scientist at Emory University, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 

Robert is passionate about social entrepreneurship. He dreams to combat poverty through his scientific and societal endeavors. He loves to workout and travel.

As a graduate in Pharmacy from Assam down town University, Guwahati and post-graduate with specialization in Pharmacology from Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, venturing into Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was a kairotic moment. To assimilate my research interest, I had joined the MiMeTics laboratory in December 2022. What keeps me engaged and driven is the shared research interest with the team. Leisurely, what keeps me high is kicking the football in the rectangular lush greens.

I am a dedicated zoologist with a passion for understanding the intricate world of animals. From my Bachelor’s degree in Zoology to my Master’s specialization, I have delved into the fascinating realms of cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry. Currently, I’m immersed in the captivating “Diet-induced obesity regulation across generations by microbial metabolite” (DREAM) project. Unraveling the impact of diet on obesity across generations is both exciting and essential for advancing our understanding of health and wellness. I find solace in physical fitness and the thrill of video games. 

My name is Rohit Kumar Bhandari, and I was born and raised in the city of Ray. I completed my master's degree from Presidency University (formerly Presidency College) in Calcutta, under the mentorship of Professor Mausumi Sikdar (née Bhakta) and Ms. Prerona Biswas. In 2023, I joined Dr. Robert Sonowal’s esteemed MiMeTics Lab, where I am engaged in a wide range of research projects, including aging and frailty in the elderly population, as well as childhood malnutrition. My work spans both computational analyses and experimental microbiological research. In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction, spending time with close friends (Loosu and others), and watching movies.

Hi, I’m Anoushka Yadav—Biotech enthusiast with an Integrated B.Tech–M.Tech in Biotechnology from Gautam Buddha University. My interest in microbiology and antibiotic resistance began early and led to a master’s project focused on tackling antimicrobial resistance. Currently, I’ve joined the wonderful MiMeTics Lab as a PhD student. The lab’s focus on understanding the role of commensal microbiota and their metabolites in health, aging, and disease closely aligns with my passion for microbiome research and developing alternative therapeutic strategies. I’m excited to explore this interdisciplinary space where host-microbe interactions meet real-world health challenges.

Hello! I Roshni Gupta graduated from lucknow University in Microbiology. Further I did my PhD from CSIR-Central drug research institute in Microbiology. Studying the life cycle of Plasmodium berghei during my phd was really fun. Before joining Kanpur IIT as institutional Post doctoral fellow I was a ICMR post doctoral fellow. My dreams are to become a successful scientist.

My name is Shruthi Shanbog Ramamurthy. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication from VTU and have 10 years of experience in the field of data science. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work with several startups, where I've been instrumental in performing data analysis, building models, and creating visualizations. I excel at transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that drive business decisions. My passion for data science fuels my continuous learning and application of the latest industry techniques.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy painting, craft work, classical music, and practicing yoga. These hobbies not only allow me to express my creativity but also help me maintain a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle.

Hi! I’m Sagar Gupta, the Lab Manager at Professor Robert’s lab since January 2024. I graduated in Paint Technology from Government Polytechnic Kanpur in 2020 and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Sociology from C.S.J.M.U in 2023. I’ve worked as a Junior Engineer at New Holland Agriculture Company and as a Lab Chemist at Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited. In my free time, I enjoy painting, singing, traveling, and learning new skills.

Hello there! I’m Satyam Kumar. I started working as a Project Staff in Professor Robert’s lab since March 2024. I graduated with a B.Sc from C.S.J.M.U in 2022. Before this, I worked as a Project Assistant in Economic Science at the New Core Lab in IIT Kanpur. I enjoy listening to music and reading books.