Bioengineering Archives

Vishal Madanlal Angnani

Mr. Vishal Madanlal Angnani is a PhD candidate at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), where his research focuses on understanding the role of mucus-binding bacteria in regulating goblet cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He completed his MSc in Microbiology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where he developed a strong interest in host-microbe interactions.

As a microbiologist, Vishal is particularly interested in how commensal microbes colonize the gut and interact with each other and with host tissues to influence health and disease. During his doctoral research, he has employed culturomics-based approaches to isolate and characterize several mucus-associated bacterial species. He integrates in vivo mouse models, in vitro cell culture systems, and intestinal organoid models to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which these bacteria and their metabolites modulate host responses, particularly in the context of mucosal immunity and epithelial function.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow, Vishal will utilize the gnotobiotic mouse, a gold-standard model, to elucidate the sole contributions of specific bacterial isolates and their metabolites in regulating mucus-secreting goblet cells during IBD. This work aims to provide core mechanistic insights into how microbial interactions shape mucus integrity and gut homeostasis, with potential implications for the development of microbiome-based therapeutic strategies. Beyond research, Vishal enjoys teaching, travelling, cooking, and dancing.

Lata Pawar

Ms. Lata Pawar is a Senior Research Fellow at Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), Mohali and her PhD is registered at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali. Her doctoral research focuses on generation of biopolymers through advance biocatalysis and biomass utilization. She is passionate about promoting sustainable biotechnology and believes harnessing biological systems can unlock innovative solutions for a greener future.

Ms. Pawar holds a bachelor’s degree in botany from Gargi College, University of Delhi. Interested in the development of sustainable food packaging materials, she pursued a postgraduate diploma in food analysis and quality assurance. She completed a master’s degree in food technology from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow at Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Lata is developing a sustainable and integrated pathway for the production of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a promising bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Her research focuses on the synthesis and polymerization of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, a key monomer derived from lignocellulosic biomass through catalytic conversion processes. The study aims to engineer high-performance bioplastic films by integrating principles of green chemistry, polymer science, and process systems engineering. Additionally, her work involves comprehensive life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis to evaluate the environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the developed biopolymer production route.

Jirpu Taba

Ms. Jirpu Taba is a PhD candidate at the Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh. Her doctoral research focuses on cancer biology, with an emphasis on extracellular vesicle-mediated signaling in pancreatic cancer model. Given the significant role of nano-sized extracellular vesicles in tumorigenesis, she seeks to explore their application in advanced cancer therapeutics.

Jirpu holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi. She completed her master’s degree in zoology from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh. With a specialization in cell and molecular biology, she developed a strong interest in molecular mechanism and cancer therapeutics.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow, Jirpu is exploring the role of a matricellular oncoprotein, Cyr61, in extracellular vesicle-mediated pancreatic cancer progression. Her work will examine how the signature of this oncoprotein in the cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles could influence Hippo signaling pathway to modulate the tumor microenvironment. With the fundamental understanding of the role of extracellular vesicles in cancer, she looks forward to contribute to translational research and advancement of personalized medicine.

Debarati Mondal

Ms. Debarati Mondal is a PhD candidate at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. Her doctoral research work focuses on identification and characterization of novel antifungal phytomolecules against one of the human fungal pathogens Candida glabrata. As a student of molecular biology, she is passionate about telling the stories of biological macromolecules in a simple, engaging way through her creative scitoons (scientific cartoons) which have been featured in Science Reporter, a popular science magazine, and recognized by INSA-INYAS international sci-art competition.

Debarati holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), West Bengal. However, her keen interest in the fascinating world of biological molecules led her to take biochemistry as a specialization in Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. In her MSc project, she studied how starch types of two staple grains (pearl millet and rice) differ and interact with dietary lipids, particularly in relation to glucose release.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow, Debarati is studying the process of adaptation of Candida glabrata to antifungal compounds. Her research will unravel how the fungus responds to selective pressure imposed by an antifungal compound derived from plant sources. This study aims to provide valuable insights into its resistance mechanisms, associated genomic alterations, gene expression patterns, and phenotypic plasticity with underlying potential evolutionary trajectories. Overall, this project will offer a comprehensive picture of how C. glabrata, or similar infectious microbes, adapt to changing environmental conditions within human hosts.

Josna Joseph

Dr. Josna Joseph is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology at Christian Medical College, Vellore. She completed her PhD in Biological Sciences from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in 2010.

Dr. Josna’s research interests include molecular mechanisms underlying fibrosis, biomaterials, tissue engineering and cytocompatibility. Currently, she is involved in teaching and conducting basic research involving pathomechanism in fibrotic autoimmune disorders.

As a former Fulbright postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School (2014-15), Dr. Josna gained research experience at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston VA Healthcare system. She is a recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (split-site doctoral scheme) at National University of Singapore and APLAR Centre of Excellence fellowship at University of Environmental and Occupational Health, Fukuoka, Japan.

As a Fulbright-Nehru scholar, Dr. Josna plans to learn the intricacies of spatial biology techniques to unravel the double negative B cell-T cell interaction in the affected organs of IgG4-Related Disease patients. This would help to understand the spread of fibrosis from individual cellular interaction level to the extent of a tissue/organ, and to devise targetable mechanisms to delay the disease’s progression.

Monika Saini

Dr. Monika Saini is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Czech Republic. She pursued her bachelor’s in biomedical sciences from University of Delhi in the year 2012 and later completed her master’s in biotechnology from All India Institute of Sciences, New Delhi in 2014.

Dr. Saini joined Prof. Shailja Singh and Dr. Soumya Pati at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR for her PhD in Plasmodium falciparum where she evaluated functional roles of Prohibitin proteins in mitochondrial biology. During this period, she was also awarded the DAAD Sandwich Programme fellowship where she worked with her German collaborators on the PhD project. She is a recipient of various national and international travel awards to present her work at conferences. She has published several research articles in recognized international journals during her PhD.

Dr. Saini’s primary research focus is parasitology and studying organellar biology with special emphasis on their functional importance in parasite growth and development. As a Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the California State University, Chico, Dr. Saini is evaluating Maurer’s clefts establishment and function. More than a century after their discovery, the genesis and exact functions of Maurer’s clefts remain a mystery. Dr. Saini, therefore, wants to investigate the fundamental biological processes associated with these organelles’ establishment and function in Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells which will be a significant step towards malaria elimination.

Vineet Pramod Joshi

Mr. Vineet Pramod Joshi is a clinician practicing ophthalmology at LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad and pursuing a PhD at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad. He is on the faculty at Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute, LVPEI, practicing cornea cataract and refractive surgeries. His research centres on translational applications of biomaterials, hydrogels, corneal bioengineering, and 3D bioprinting. He investigates developing artificial 3D bioprinted cornea.

After his master’s (DNB ) in ophthalmology he completed a fellowship in cornea and anterior segment in LVPEI Hyderabad and joined the institute. Vineet is not just a clinician-scientist, he is also a technologist at LVPEI Center for Technology Innovation where he works on digital diagnostics, AI-driven vision assessment, and bioengineering solutions. He has been awarded for presenting his work at several national and international forums, and received international travel grants. He has several publications in peer-reviewed international journals.

In his battle against corneal blindness, under the mentorship of Dr. Falguni Pati at IIT Hyderabad and Dr. Sayan Basu, LVPEI, he began a PhD in biomedical engineering and biomaterials at IIT Hyderabad to explore developing novel bioink hydrogels and 3D bioprinting translational therapies. As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research fellow, Vineet is investigating how to develop composite materials derived from natural and synthetic sources, exploring novel light-based 3D bioprinting technology in achieving transparency, biomechanical strength, suturability and biointegration similar to native cornea. His research will explore developing newer customized and personalized treatments options for patients.

Nipun Jain

Mr. Nipun Jain is a PhD candidate at the Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. His doctoral thesis focuses on developing a 3D bioprinted lungs-on-a-dish platform to investigate pulmonary fibrosis. He employs extrusion bioprinting and cultures the prepared lung tissue at an air-liquid interface which also incorporates advanced material characterizations to examine cellular structural morphology and functional expression.

Nipun holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. He has completed multiple internship projects offered by the Indian Academy of Sciences prior to joining the PhD program at IISc. He is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) and has published several research and review papers. He has also participated and presented his work at various national and international conferences.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research fellow at The Pennsylvania State University, Nipun is integrating 3D bioprinting with microfluidics to provide more reproducible insights into disease progression for evaluating therapeutic efficacy. The insights gained from his research will contribute to translation of novel drug screening platforms for pulmonary fibrosis and other lung-related disorders. When not in the lab, he can be found reading non-fiction or playing games. He is a music enthusiast, enjoys playing the guitar and is fond of travelling to explore new places for food.

Ankit Banik

Mr. Ankit Banik is a PhD candidate at the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Maharashtra. His doctoral research focuses on the development of novel and efficacious chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapies, where he aims to harness the power of natural killer cells, a crucial component of the innate immune system, to target and eliminate cancer cells more effectively. His work aims to optimize the engineering of NK cells, enhancing their tumor-targeting capabilities and improving their overall therapeutic potential. His research strives to pave the way for innovative, personalized, and safer cancer treatments by advancing CAR-NK cell therapies.

Ankit completed his BSc in microbiology at University of Kalyani, acquiring a strong foundation in molecular biology, immunology, and cellular biology. Pursuing MSc in biotechnology at Pondicherry University, he honed his expertise in advanced laboratory techniques, genetic engineering, and cellular manipulation. Then as a project intern, he gained valuable research experience at the renowned Bose Institute.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research fellow, Ankit is exploring the potential of CAR-NK cell therapy that is more effective in targeting and treating solid tumors, overcoming the challenges posed by the tumor microenvironment and improving the therapeutic outcomes for patients. Ankit is committed to translating his findings into clinical applications that will benefit patients, and passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world cancer therapies.

Ankit loves travelling and enjoys trekking and hiking. He has a strong appreciation of music and dance as well.

Parvaiz Ahmad Shiekh

Dr. Parvaiz A. Shiekh is DST INSPIRE Faculty at the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), New Delhi. He obtained his bachelor’s in science from Sri Pratap College, University of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, followed by a master’s in biotechnology from the Central University of South Bihar, Bihar. He received his Ph.D. in biological sciences and bioengineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) under the supervision of Prof. Ashok Kumar, where Dr. Sheikh designed and evaluated bioactive, oxygen-releasing, and antioxidant polymeric biomaterials for therapeutics and translational medicine.

Dr. Parvaiz qualified for CSIR-UGC NET JRF (2013), DBT JRF (2013), and GATE 2013. He has published several peer-reviewed articles in reputed journals, including Biomaterials, Chemical Engineering Journal, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Bioactive Materials, European Polymer Journal, and Biomacromolecules. His work has also resulted in two granted patents.

Dr. Parvaiz has received several national and international awards. He received the DST AWSAR Award from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and the ILBS-TATA Emerging Leader fellowship from the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. His doctoral thesis was awarded the Innovative Student Project Award 2021 at Doctoral Level by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), New Delhi. His thesis work was also awarded the Outstanding PhD Thesis Award from IIT Kanpur and the Best PhD Thesis Award from the Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs, India. His other scientific achievements include IITK-SIIC Student Innovation Award (SSIA), TERMIS-AP Golden Award 2021, SYBS Young Researcher Award, SBAOI – Bajpai-Saha Student Award, Torrent-ISHR Young Scientist Award, and Dr. S K Maulik Award. He has also received international travel support from IITK, DST-SERB, and INSA/CSIR/DAE-BRNS-CCSTDS for presenting his work at international conferences.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research scholar at UCLA, Dr. Parvaiz is developing smart microneedle patches to deliver on-demand oxygen and cell instructive molecules for therapeutics and regeneration.