Journey
Affiliation
Water Desalination and Reuse Centre (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Past:
Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore (UoM), Mysuru, India
Board of Studies in Life Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
Water and Steam Chemistry Division (WSCD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Kalpakkam, India
Scientific area
The main thrust areas:
Microbial granulation (from any source): activated sludge, microbes present in freshwater and seawater; (from any type): mixed or pure microbial cultures; (for any conditions) aerobic, anaerobic, or micro-aerophilic conditions. and their mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus removal.
High-strength N removal and simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal under seawater (34 g salt/liter of water) and hyper-saline (up to 120 g salt/liter) conditions are the thematic highlights.
Interactive mechanisms of microbe and metal is another area where effective mineralization strategies are being worked out.
In nutshell, sustainable and effective management of water is the goal.
Algae-bacterial interactions: more oriented towards exploring a common or an uncommon synergy.
Bacterial dual function: A probiotic isolate and an antifungal agent?
Academics
Master of Science (M.Sc) Biochemistry, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) (Triple major: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology), University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
Association with Scientific Societies
Since 2020- Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK
Since 2018- Geochemical Society, Washington, USA
Since 2015- Indian Science Congress Association, India
2010-13 and '22 onwards- Association of Microbiologists of India, India
Past:
Associate Member. Indian Institute of Metals, India
Student Member. Biochemical Society, India
Journal roles
Review editor:
Frontiers in Environmental Science, Frontiers in Microbiology
External Reviewer:
Environmental Research, Chemical Engineering Advances, Environmental Pollution, Bioresource Technology, Journal of Hazardous Materials Reports, etc.
External Reviewer:
Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)- 2024
Scientific recognitions
2023. Young Scientist Award, Association of Microbiologists of India, India.
2023. Young Scientist Award (2020-23), Indian Science Congress Association (DST), India.
2022. Research and Innovation Award, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), India.
2017. Bharath Gaurav Award, India.
2020. Membership to Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), London, UK
2019. Grant, ITS, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), India.
2019. Material- endowment fund, Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), India.
2018. Grant, Geochemical Society, USA.
2018. Grant, Dept. of Science & Technology (ITS), Govt. of India, India.
2023. Best Paper Award (Young category), Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), KC, India
2017. Best poster award- American Chemical Society (ACS), USA.
2017. Best paper award- Cash prize- Society for Materials Chemistry (SMC), India.