Pellucid Lifesciences Pvt Ltd | India
Dr. Sohel Shaikh is an accomplished bioprocess development scientist with extensive industrial and research experience in microbial fermentation, upstream process optimization, and technology transfer. He has contributed significantly to the development of probiotics, recombinant enzymes, fermentation-based APIs, and nutraceutical products, ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards. His expertise spans high-cell-density cultivation, strain improvement, biotransformation, and statistical process optimization. He has led cross-functional teams, driven innovation, and facilitated seamless integration of R&D outputs into manufacturing. With numerous publications and active participation in regulatory submissions, he has played a vital role in advancing biotechnological applications in health and industrial sectors.
Professional Profiles
Orcid | Google Scholar
Education
Dr. Sohel Shaikh holds a PhD in Microbial Biotechnology, where his research focused on developing technologies with applications in plant growth promotion, disease resistance, and bioremediation. He earned a master’s degree in Microbiology, followed by a bachelor’s degree in the same field. His academic journey also includes postgraduate diplomas in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, providing a strong foundation in both applied microbiology and computational tools. He has attended specialized workshops and training programs on advanced analytical techniques, chromatography, spectroscopy, and statistical methods, equipping him with practical and technical skills relevant to industrial biotechnology and regulatory-compliant research.
Professional Experience
Dr. Sohel Shaikh has held leadership and technical roles in research and development, managing teams to execute innovative projects in probiotics, enzymes, and fermentation-based products. His experience includes upstream and downstream process optimization, media formulation, technology transfer, and regulatory documentation for global submissions. He has worked closely with QA, QC, production, and marketing teams to ensure product quality, scalability, and market readiness. His work has spanned lab-scale studies to pilot and commercial manufacturing. Additionally, he has overseen microbiology quality control operations, ensuring compliance with cGMP standards, managing audits, and implementing SOPs for operational efficiency and product safety.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Sohel Shaikh has been recognized for his academic and research excellence, including securing top ranks in competitive entrance examinations and postgraduate studies. He received a project fellowship from a national funding body to support his doctoral work. His contributions to microbial biotechnology and industrial fermentation have been acknowledged through successful regulatory submissions and commercial product launches. He has represented his organizations internationally, participating in exhibitions and business meetings, and contributed as a lead author in high-impact research publications. His achievements reflect his dedication to bridging scientific innovation with practical, market-ready biotechnological solutions.
Research Skills
Dr. Sohel Shaikh possesses expertise in microbial isolation, fermentation, and metabolite production, along with enzyme assays and protein purification. His molecular biology skills include PCR, cloning, electrophoresis, and genetic analysis. He is proficient in operating analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC, GC-MS, FTIR, and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. He applies statistical tools like Design of Experiments for process optimization and utilizes bioinformatics software for genomic and protein analysis. His experience extends to developing GMP-compliant cell banks, scaling processes from lab to commercial levels, and preparing technical dossiers for regulatory bodies, ensuring robust, efficient, and compliant biotechnological processes.
Notable Publications
Role of hydrolytic enzymes of rhizoflora in biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens: an overview
Author: HP Jadhav, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Rhizotrophs: Plant growth promotion to bioremediation, 183-203
Year: 2017
Citations: 210
Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their formulation in biocontrol of plant diseases
Author: SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Plant microbes symbiosis: applied facets, 337-351
Year: 2014
Citations: 141
Modified chrome azurol S method for detection and estimation of siderophores having affinity for metal ions other than iron
Author: PR Patel, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Environmental Sustainability 1 (1), 81-87
Year: 2018
Citations: 111
Dynamism of PGPR in bioremediation and plant growth promotion in heavy metal contaminated soil
Author: PR Patel, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Indian J Exp Biol 54 (4), 286-290
Year: 2016
Citations: 97
Assessment of awareness, attitude and practices regarding eco-friendly dentistry among dental professionals in Pune city of Maharashtra
Author: R Nagarale, M Todkar, NJ Shaikh, SS Shaikh, NM Wani
Journal: Int J Appl Dent Sci 8 (1), 140-4
Year: 2022
Citations: 10
Conclusion
Dr. Sohel Shaikh’s career reflects a balanced blend of scientific expertise, industrial application, and regulatory compliance in the biotechnology sector. His leadership in process development and innovation has advanced products from concept to market, impacting human and animal health industries. With a strong academic background, extensive technical skills, and a track record of successful technology transfers, he continues to contribute to sustainable and efficient bioprocess solutions. His ability to integrate research findings into scalable manufacturing systems positions him as a valuable contributor to industrial biotechnology, fostering advancements in probiotics, enzymes, APIs, and nutraceuticals globally.