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PhD Scholars

Sonu S S

Sonu S S

Third year PhD Scholar – Climate-smart Agriculture

Harnessing Aztec power for climate-smart agriculture

Started in Chennai at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (B.Tech) and then moved north to Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar (NITJ) for a master’s in biotechnology. After exploring different domains of biotechnology, he decided to root himself in plant sciences. He is now decoding resilience in amaranth, building a customizable toolkit for trait selection, and advocating for amaranth as a C4 model plant.

Outside the lab, he can be found trekking, cycling, or planning new adventures. An occasional bibliophile who approaches life with the same curiosity that drives his research.

ORCID
Student Name

Rekha Sharma

Third year PhD Scholar – Phytochemicals & Pest Management

Green protection through phytochemical innovation

Born and raised in Chhattisgarh, she began her academic journey in Korba, completing her B.Sc., and M.Sc., from Bilaspur University. After qualifying SET, she served as an Assistant Professor at K.N. College, Korba.

A botanist and taxonomist by training, she is now investigating plant-based biopesticides from Pongamia, Mesua, and Alpinia, exploring their bioactive compounds for sustainable pest management in crops.

Outside the lab, she is actively involved with a wildlife rescue and conservation NGO. A passionate herpetologist, she enjoys studying snakes, and can also be found exploring different dance forms or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

ORCID
Siddhant Saha

Siddhant Saha

Second year PhD Scholar – Proteomics

Unlocking Nahor's oil potential with multi-omics

Built his foundation in Life Sciences at Tezpur University, where he completed both his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees. Along the way, he briefly ventured into neuroscience at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Canada, before finding his footing in plant biology. He is currently working with Mesua ferrea (Nahor), exploring proteomic and lipid pathway dynamics during seed development, with a focus on oil biosynthesis.

Outside the lab, he doubles as the E-sports Head of IIT Guwahati’s gaming club. When he’s not gaming or reading, he can often be found at the gym or embracing his self-proclaimed “jack of all trades” identity—picking up new skills just for the fun of it.

ORCID
Sampriti Sarkar

Sampriti Sarkar

First year PhD Scholar – Plant–Microbe Interactions

Unraveling the hidden web of Karanj and its Rhizobium soil mates

Born and raised in Kolkata, she started her journey with microbes at JIS University (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), before moving to labs at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as a Project Associate. She is now investigating how climatic and edaphic factors shape plant–microbe interactions, with a focus on the Pongamia–Rhizobium system.

When not in the lab, she can be found singing, getting lost in a storybook, or experimenting in the kitchen.

ORCID

Dissertation Students

Samiran Panja

Samiran Panja

M.Tech – Mapping of Black Rice

244106025

Deborshi

Deborshi Aditya

M.Tech – XX

254106009

Student Achievements

Poster & Oral Presentation Awards

  • Sonu S (2026) Best Poster Presentation Award for “Development of Genomic Tools for Amaranth…” at National Conference, DRPCAU Bihar.
  • Rekha S (2025) Best Poster Award, IIT Guwahati (NASI Symposium) for “Karanjin insecticidal and antiviral potential”.
  • Siddhant S (2025) Best Poster Award, IIT Guwahati for “Genome-to-Proteome pipeline for Mesua ferrea”.
  • Rashmi S (2024) Best Poster (Third Prize), CMC Vellore MICROCON 2024.
  • Nuzelu (2022) Best Flash Presentation & Poster Award, IIT Guwahati Conference.
  • A. Senapati (2022) Best Poster Award, Northeast Research Conclave IIT Guwahati.
  • Rubeka I (2022) Best Oral Paper Award, IIT Guwahati Research Conclave.
  • G. Bhatt (2019) Best Poster Award, IIT Guwahati International Conference.
  • MK Gupta (2019) Best Research Scholar Award, IPSC 2019.
  • I. Chakrabartty (2018) First Prize & Springer Award, Indo-Japan Symposium.
  • I. Chakrabartty (2017) Best Poster Award, IASST Guwahati.
  • A. Singh (2016) Best Poster Award, FABACTCS Symposium.
  • A. Singh (2015) Best Poster Award, International Conference Chennai.
  • I. Chakrabartty & L. Rangan (2017) Departmental Winner Poster Award, IIT Guwahati.
  • S. Ramachandran (2010) Best Poster Award, Indian Youth Sciences Congress.

Fellowships & Scholarships

  • Rubeka I (2022) PMRF Fellowship recipient.
  • Tushar (2011–2012) Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Fellowship (USIEF).
  • V. Kesari (2012) Young Scientist Award (ISCA).
  • V. Kesari (2009) CSIR SRF Fellowship.
  • V. Kesari (2008) DST Overseas Travel Award (TWAS Malaysia).

Science Communication, Quiz & Special Awards

  • I. Chakrabartty (2019) AWSAR Award (DST, Govt. of India).
  • Rubeka I (2022) First Prize – Scientific Quiz (Scientific Writing Workshop).
  • R. Das (2014) Prof. Awtar Krishan Flow Award (Second Prize).
  • S. Ghosh (2012) ICS-UNIDO Travel Support, Turkey Workshop.
  • S. Ghosh (2010) Second Best Poster Award, IIT Kharagpur Workshop.

Research & Scientific Contributions

  • AM Ramesh (2014) Young Scientist Award, G.B. Pant University.
  • S. Basak (2014) Poster Award, Punjab University Conference.
  • I. Chakrabartty (2017) Research Poster: Alpinia nigra study.

International Fellowships & Global Recognition

  • Tushar (2011–12) Fulbright Nehru Fellowship (US).
  • V. Kesari (2008) TWAS Best Paper Award, Malaysia.

PhD Graduates

Dr. Rubeka

PhD (Feb 2026) — Joint supervision (S. Singha)

Exploring the diversity of black rice of Assam for processing and value addition

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, India

Dr. Rashmi Singh

PhD (Feb 2026)

Investigation of phytochemical compounds as antiviral agents

Project research scientist-I, ICMR-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune

Dr. Bimal K Chetri

PhD (June 2025) — Joint supervision (S. Mitra)

Tapping Herbal Treasures from Southern and Southeastern Foothills of Bhutan

Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan

Dr. Nuzelu

PhD (May 2025) — Joint supervision (R. Swaminathan)

Investigating protein unfolding and protein–nucleic acid complexes using UV-Vis spectroscopy

Research scientist, Mase Biosciences (Incubated at - IIT Delhi)

Dr. Heeramoni Boro

PhD (May 2024) — Joint supervision (R. Swaminathan)

Photophysical properties and anticancer activity of compound DHF from Alpinia nigra

Springer Nature

Dr. Alok Senapati

PhD (May 2024)

Floral diversity and genome size estimation of flowering plants from IIT Guwahati campus

Central University Odisha

Dr. Gaurav Bhatt

PhD (Oct 2023) — Joint supervision (A. Limaye)

ERα and AhR mediated genomic effects of Karanjin in breast cancer cells

Postdoc at Ding & Chen Labs, WashU Medicine

Dr. Dileep Ahari

PhD (Mar 2023) — Joint supervision (R. Swaminathan)

Spectroscopic and functional characterization of DHN1 protein from Zea mays

Dr. S. Sanjana

PhD (Dec 2022) — Joint supervision (R. Swaminathan)

Spectroscopic properties of Mammeigin from Mesua ferrea

Research Scientist at SeaStock, Australia

Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta

PhD (Sep 2022)

Bioactive compounds from leaves of Alpinia nigra

University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

Dr. Nihal Gujre

PhD (Sep 2021) — Joint supervision (S. Mitra)

Soil pollution alleviation using biochar and vetiver grass

Dr. Imdadul H Mondal

PhD (Sep 2021) — Joint supervision (R. Uppaluri)

Mix soup formulations from leafy and non-leafy vegetables

Dr. Ishani Chakrabartty

PhD (May 2019)

Antimicrobial and vibrational analysis of labdane diterpenes

Learning and Development Solutions, Indegene Pvt Ltd, Bangalore

Dr. Reshmi Das

PhD (May 2019)

Socioeconomic studies on non-edible oil crops

D.Y. Patil deemed to be University

Dr. Dipti Yadav

PhD (May 2019) — Joint supervision (P. Mahanta)

Biomass conversion for biogas production

Dr. Rahul G. Shelke

PhD (Mar 2019)

Repeat element mining in Pongamia for marker development

Agrinucleon Biosciences LLP

Dr. Anuma Singh

PhD (Feb 2019)

Bioactive compounds from Pongamia pinnata seeds

Postdoctoral Scientist, Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR), Munster Technological University (MTU), Kerry Campus, Ireland

Dr. Tushar

PhD (Sep 2014)

Plastome mining in Zingiberaceae

Dr. Aadi Moolam Ramesh

PhD (Jun 2014) — Joint supervision (B.G. Jaganathan)

Cytogenetic studies in Pongamia pinnata

Straive

Dr. Supriyo Basak

PhD (May 2014) — Joint supervision (V. Dubey)

Molecular phylogeny of Zingiberoideae

Amity University Jharkhand

Dr. Sudipta Ghosh

PhD (Apr 2014) — Joint supervision (U. Bora)

Labdane diterpenes: isolation and biological evaluation

Senior Research Scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Oxford, UK

Dr. Archana Das

PhD (Aug 2011)

Genetic resources of Curcuma and Zingiber

Educator at Fremont Unified School District, CA, USA

Dr. Vigya Kesari

PhD (Dec 2010)

Candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata

SATHI-BHU

MTech Alumni

Ruchira Banerjee

MTech (2024)

Evaluation of SLC11A1 as a Potential Biomarker for Lung Cancer

Haruka Maruyama

MTech (2021)

Origin and evolution of aluminum tolerance systems regulated by STOP1 transcription factor in plants

Kartik Swaminathan

MTech (2022)

Expression and Purification of Hepatitis B Virus core protein (Cp149) and capsid assembly analysis

Vivian F Kharchandy

MTech (2020)

Genome size determination of woody tree species using flow cytometry

Paushali Mukherjee

MTech (2019)

Optimization of drying procedures and nutritional analysis of papaya

Sumit K Das

MTech (2018)

Bio-resources from Northeast India as sanitary napkin alternatives

Srikanth Sadokpam

MTech (2018)

Antibacterial susceptibility of labdane microemulsion formulations

Ankit Narula

MTech (2017)

Stem cell patents and clinical trial regulation analysis

Aswitha V

MTech (2017)

Antibacterial efficacy of labda-diene compound from Alpinia nigra

Ramya M

MTech (2016)

Cytotoxic effects of labdane diterpenes on breast cancer cells

Mrinal Sharma

MTech (2016)

Pro-estrogenic effect of karanjin in MCF-7 cells

Iffat Jahan

MTech (2015)

Structural elucidation and antibacterial activity of karanjin nanoparticles

Paras Gupta

MTech (2014)

Translation initiation site bias analysis in plants

Rimjhim Roy Choudhury

MTech (2013)

Flow cytometric analysis of Pongamia pinnata

Vivek Hedaoo

MTech (2012)

Molecular marker characterization in Alpinia nigra

Vipul Kumar

MTech (2012)

Antimicrobial activity of Alpinia nigra essential oil

Ramachandran Sarath

MTech (2011)

Genome characterization in Hedychium species

BTech Alumni

A Naresh

BTech (2025)

Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation of HAND2 Protein–DNA Complex

Paramjeet

BTech (2025)

In-silico investigation of flavonoids with viral proteins

Manne Shalin

BTech (2024)

Plant-based nucleic acid binding dyes using MD simulation and fluorescence studies

Sahil Nizam Shaik

BTech (2024)

Transcriptomic footprint of phytochemicals on MCF-7 cells

Deepanshu

BTech (2022)

DNA barcoding accuracy assessment using BOLD and BLAST in IITG flora

Saksham Meena

BTech (2022)

RNA-seq pipeline development using R

N Rahul

BTech (2020)

Plant-based molecules as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2

Rajditya S Shekhawat

BTech (2019)

Genome size estimation of Acmella species

Abhishek Ajay

BTech (2018)

Transcriptomics analysis of Daphnia magna under predation pressure

Mudit Gupta

BTech (2017)

Aggregation-prone protein regions and mutation effects

Ayush Khare

BTech (2016)

Analysis of Indian pharmaceutical patents after Patents Act 2005

Divya

BTech (2016)

Patent landscape in pharmaceutical industry and Gleevec development

Yogesh Baid

BTech (2015)

LINE retrotransposon characterization in Jatropha curcas

Shashank Aggarwal

BTech (2014)

Nuclear genome content estimation of Mesua ferrea

Akhil Jalutharia

BTech (2012)

Chromosome counts and genome size studies in Hedychiae

Mudit Gupta

BTech (2011)

Translation initiation context sequences in model yeasts

T Venkata Ramesh

BTech (2011)

Translation initiation context in sorghum, maize and rice

Deepak K Suman

BTech (2010)

Symbiotic specificity of Rhizobacteria in Pongamia pinnata

Aniruddh Jain

BTech (2009)

Nanotechnology patenting in India

Mohit Chauhan

BTech (2009)

Waterlogging stress and cyanobacteria-based hypoxia treatment in rice

Sumit Aggarwal

BTech (2008)

DNA barcoding of Curcuma species of Northeast India

Mohenish Jaiswal

BTech (2007)

Fourier transform prediction of protein lead-in regions

Lokesh Kumar

BTech (2006)

Alternative splice variant sequence analysis

Ashutosh K Srivastava

BTech (2006)

Translation initiation consensus in model crop genomes