Nisha Singh | Microbiology | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nisha Singh | Microbiology | Research Excellence Award

Pandit Deendayal Energy University, India

Dr. Nisha Singh is an Assistant Professor of Biotechnology with advanced training in infectious disease biology and molecular microbiology. She holds a PhD in Infectious Disease and postgraduate qualifications in biochemistry. Her research integrates host–pathogen interactions, autophagy signaling, tuberculosis pathogenesis, microbiome biology, and CRISPR-based genetic manipulation in vector systems. With extensive postdoctoral experience in India and the USA, she has contributed to high-impact publications. Her work has been recognized through prestigious national and international research fellowships and awards.

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Featured Publications

Sounak Sarkar | Bacterial Genetics | Excellence in Scientific Research Award

Dr. Sounak Sarkar | Bacterial Genetics | Excellence in Scientific Research Award

MATS University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh | India

Dr. Sounak Sarkar is an accomplished microbiologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Science at MATS University, Raipur, with extensive experience in bacterial genetics, molecular evolution of microbes, pharmacological screening of therapeutic drugs, and biofertilizer applications in agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Calcutta, with research conducted at ICMR-NICED, focusing on the dynamic phenotypic changes of Vibrio cholerae due to genetic alterations. He also earned an M.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, complementing his strong academic foundation. Dr. Sarkar’s professional experience includes roles as Project Associate and Associate Application Specialist at NIPER, Kolkata, and Molecular Biologist in clinical COVID-19 laboratories, alongside his research fellowships in microbiology and bacteriology. His research portfolio encompasses over ten publications in reputed journals and book chapters, with significant contributions in multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae, bioethanol production from agro-industrial waste, and antimicrobial studies. He holds an international patent for a bioethanol production system from tea waste. Dr. Sarkar has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has received the Best Academician Award. His work has garnered 57 citations with an h-index of 5, reflecting impactful scientific contributions. Dr. Sarkar continues to advance microbiology research and mentor Ph.D. students, fostering innovation in microbial sciences.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications

Samanta, P., Saha, R. N., Chowdhury, G., Naha, A., Sarkar, S., Dutta, S., & Mukhopadhyay, A. K. (2018). Dissemination of newly emerged polymyxin B sensitive Vibrio cholerae O1 containing Haitian-like genetic traits in different parts of India. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 67(9), 1326–1333. https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000783

Sarkar, S., Das, M., Bhowmick, T. S., Koley, H., Atterbury, R., Chakrabarti, A. K., & Sarkar, B. L. (2018). Isolation and characterization of novel broad host range bacteriophages of Vibrio cholerae O1 from Bengal. Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 10(2), 84–88. https://doi.org/10.4103/jgid.jgid_37_17

Jaiswal, A., Sarkar, S., Das, P., Nandy, S., Koley, H., & Sarkar, B. (2015). Trends in the genomic epidemiology of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated worldwide since 1961. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 46(4), 460–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.06.012

Howlader, D. R., Bhaumik, U., Halder, P., Satpathy, A., Sarkar, S., Ghoshal, M., … Koley, H. (2022). An experimental adult zebrafish model for Shigella pathogenesis, transmission, and vaccine efficacy studies. Microbiology Spectrum, 10(3), e00347-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00347-22

De, R., Ramamurthy, T., Sarkar, B. L., Mukhopadhyay, A. K., Pazhani, G. P., Sarkar, S., Dutta, S., & Nair, G. B. (2017). Retrospective genomic analysis of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor strains from different places in India reveals the presence of ctxB-7 allele found in Haitian isolates. Epidemiology & Infection, 145(11), 2212–2220. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268817001182

Renu Chaudhary | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Renu Chaudhary | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi | India

Dr. Renu Chaudhary is a dedicated microbiologist and molecular biologist with extensive expertise in genomics, genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), and antifungal research. Her work spans transcriptomics, structural biology, phenotypic analysis, and the study of stress response mechanisms in pathogenic fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She has contributed significantly to isolating and characterizing antimicrobial bacteria from plant rhizospheres, developing novel antifungal compounds, and exploring molecular targets for antifungal and antibacterial therapeutics. Dr. Chaudhary has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a total of 156 citations, an h-index of 6, and an i10-index of 4, reflecting her research impact and scholarly recognition. She has been involved in leading and collaborating on several funded projects, including fellowships from national science agencies, focusing on fungal diagnostics, drug resistance mechanisms, and metal homeostasis in microbes. Her research interests include antifungal resistance, microbial genomics, protein therapeutics, and biotechnological applications of fungi. Recognized for excellence in presentations and publications, she has received awards for best poster and paper contributions at national and international conferences. Dr. Chaudhary combines deep scientific knowledge with analytical rigor, driving translational research aimed at innovative solutions for infectious disease management and microbial therapeutics.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Chaudhary, R., Singh, B., Kumar, M., Gakhar, S. K., Saini, A. K., Parmar, V. S., … [et al.]. (2015). Role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in pharmacogenomics and their association with human diseases. Drug Metabolism Reviews, 47(3), 281–290.

Balhara, M., Chaudhary, R., Ruhil, S., Singh, B., Dahiya, N., Parmar, V. S., … [et al.]. (2016). Siderophores; iron scavengers: The novel & promising targets for pathogen specific antifungal therapy. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, 20(12), 1477–1489.

Ahlawat, S., Chaudhary, R., Dangi, M., Bala, K., Singh, M., Chhillar, A. K. (2020). Advances in tuberculous meningitis diagnosis. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 20(12), 1229–1241.

Chaudhary, R., Balhara, M., Jangir, D. K., Dangi, M., Dangi, M., Chhillar, A. K. (2019). In silico protein interaction network analysis of virulence proteins associated with invasive aspergillosis for drug discovery. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 19(2), 146–155.

Khatri, S., Kumar, M., Phougat, N., Chaudhary, R., Chhillar, A. K. (2016). Perspectives on phytochemicals as antibacterial agents: An outstanding contribution to modern therapeutics. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 16(4), 290–308.

Pooja Gupta | Microbial Pathogenesis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pooja Gupta | Microbial Pathogenesis | Best Researcher Award

Presidency University, Kolkata | India

Pooja Gupta is a postdoctoral researcher in critical care research at a leading cancer institute, where her work focuses on lung infection models and the role of neutrophils in infection among cancer patients. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from CSIR–Central Drug Research Institute, where she investigated novel and unconventional molecules as next-generation therapeutics, including quorum sensing inhibitors and antimicrobial peptides against drug-resistant pathogens. With a strong foundation in microbiology and immunology, she has developed expertise in bacterial communication systems, anti-virulence strategies, biofilm inhibition, protein modeling, molecular cloning, animal models of infection, and immunological assays. She has presented her work at national and international conferences, contributed to peer-reviewed publications, and co-authored patents based on her discoveries. Her research interests lie in quorum sensing, antimicrobial peptide design, host–pathogen interactions, infection in cancer, and translational microbiology. She is passionate about bridging basic science with applied therapeutics to combat antibiotic resistance and improve infection outcomes in vulnerable patient populations. Recognized for her scientific contributions, she continues to pursue innovative approaches at the interface of microbiology, immunology, and oncology with the goal of advancing next-generation anti-infective strategies for human health.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Gupta, P., Yadav, P., Lata, M., Chaudhary, S., Telang, V., Kishore, R., Kishan, J., Goswami, K., Arockiaraj, J., Singh, R., & others. (2025). Potential next generation targets for antibacterial agent’s discovery and development. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Arya, C. G., Kishore, R., Gupta, P., Gondru, R., Arockiaraj, J., Pasupuleti, M., Chandrakanth, M., Punya, V. P., & Banothu, J. (2024). Identification of coumarin–benzimidazole hybrids as potential antibacterial agents: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biological assessment, and ADMET prediction. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters.

Lata, M., Telang, V., Gupta, P., Pant, G., Kalyan, M., Arockiaraj, J., & Pasupuleti, M. (2024). Synthetic short cryptic antimicrobial peptides as templates for the development of novel biotherapeutics against WHO priority pathogen. International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics.

Lata, M., Telang, V., Gupta, P., Pant, G., Kalyan, M., Arockiaraj, J., & Pasupuleti, M. (2023). Evolutionary and in silico guided development of novel peptide analogues for antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens. Current Research in Microbial Sciences.

Biswas, S., Rahaman, T., Gupta, P., Mitra, R., Dutta, S., Kharlyngdoh, E., Guha, S., Ganguly, J., Pal, A., & Das, M. (2022). Cellulose and lignin profiling in seven economically important bamboo species of India by anatomical, biochemical, FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Biomass and Bioenergy.

 

Priya Sagar | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Priya Sagar | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Sarda Patel University- India

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Priya Rajkumar Sagar embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in microbiology, beginning with her schooling at Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul in Valsad, Gujarat. Her passion for scientific inquiry led her to pursue a B.Sc. in Microbiology at N.V. Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences, followed by an M.Sc. in Microbiology at Sardar Patel University, where she achieved commendable academic performance. Her journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Shri A.N. Patel PG Institute of Science & Research, Sardar Patel University, where she specialized in the microbial conversion of waste materials.

Professional Endeavors

Priya’s professional career is marked by her dedication to research and laboratory work, particularly in the field of waste management and bioprocessing. She gained valuable experience in handling microbial instruments and conducting basic microbiology experiments. Her doctoral research, under the guidance of Professor Dr. Gopalkumar G. Raol, focused on the innovative conversion of restaurant and agro-industrial waste into valuable products.

Contributions and Research Focus

Priya’s research has significantly contributed to the field of biotechnology and environmental science. Her work includes optimizing strategies for the microbial conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, such as food scraps and agro-industrial waste, into single-cell proteins (SCP). Her research articles in reputed journals highlight her expertise in sustainable valorization approaches and bioprocessing techniques, emphasizing their potential in waste management and alternative protein sources.

Accolades and Recognition

Priya’s academic achievements include securing the 2nd position in the PET – 2020 (Ph.D. Entrance Test) at Sardar Patel University, reflecting her academic prowess. She has been recognized for her contributions at various international conferences and symposiums, where she presented her research on waste-to-protein strategies and sustainable environmental remediation. Priya’s presentations have consistently received accolades, underscoring her impact and the relevance of her research in current scientific discourse.

Impact and Influence

Priya’s work has the potential to revolutionize waste management practices, offering sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. By focusing on bioremediation and microbial conversion processes, she aims to mitigate the ecological footprint of waste materials while creating value-added products like SCP for agricultural applications. Her research not only addresses scientific challenges but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving environmental sustainability through innovative biotechnological applications.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Priya seeks to further her research in bioprocessing and waste management, exploring new avenues for enhancing microbial conversion efficiency and expanding the application of SCP in diverse sectors. She aspires to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that integrate microbiology with environmental science, aiming to develop scalable solutions for global challenges. Priya remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering sustainable practices that benefit both industry and the environment.