Ph.D. Candidate & Research Scientist in Molecular and Fungal Biology
Mahendragarh, IN.
About
A highly accomplished Ph.D. candidate and research scientist with expertise in Molecular Biology, Fungal Biology, and Computational Biology, leveraging advanced techniques in microbial characterization, assay development, and machine learning. Proven ability to drive significant research outcomes, evidenced by 22 publications (cumulative IF 45.8), successful mentorship of 10 Master's and Ph.D. scholars, and recognition as "Best Student Researcher 2024." Seeking to apply advanced scientific inquiry and analytical skills to impactful R&D roles in biotechnology or pharmaceutical research.
Work
Central University of Haryana
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Ph.D. Researcher
Mahendragarh, Haryana, India
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Summary
Led comprehensive Ph.D. research focusing on the molecular characterization of Echinocandin B synthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, contributing to advanced understanding of fungal biology and secondary metabolites.
Highlights
Conducted in-depth molecular characterization of Echinocandin B synthesis in *Aspergillus nidulans*, utilizing advanced genomic and proteomic techniques to identify key genetic pathways.
Published 22 research outputs (10 articles, 4 reviews, 8 book chapters) with a cumulative impact factor of 45.8, demonstrating significant contributions to the scientific community.
Mentored 10 Master's and new Ph.D. scholars in molecular biology and cell culture research, fostering academic growth and contributing to institutional research capacity.
Awarded "Best Student Researcher 2024" by Central University of Haryana for outstanding publication record and research impact.
Developed and optimized experimental protocols for fungal cultivation, gene expression analysis, and metabolite extraction, enhancing research efficiency and data quality.
Central University of South Bihar
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Master's Researcher
Gaya, Bihar, India
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Summary
Performed master's dissertation research on the characterization of *Vibrio cholerae O139* serogroup, focusing on biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
Highlights
Characterized *Vibrio cholerae O139* serogroup, investigating biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance patterns to inform public health strategies.
Applied advanced microbiological techniques to analyze bacterial growth kinetics, biofilm architecture, and susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents.
Contributed to understanding critical virulence factors and potential therapeutic targets for *Vibrio cholerae* infections.
Jawaharlal Nehru University
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Summer Intern
New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Summary
Conducted research on the cytotoxic effects of streptozotocin on mice pancreatic beta cell lines, contributing to diabetes research.
Highlights
Investigated the cytotoxic effects of streptozotocin on mice pancreatic beta cell lines, providing insights into diabetes pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions.
Utilized cell culture techniques, viability assays, and microscopic analysis to assess cellular responses and quantify damage.
Collaborated effectively with senior researchers to design experiments, execute protocols, and interpret complex biological data.
Mahavir Cancer Sansthan
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Research Trainee
Patna, Bihar, India
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Summary
Gained practical experience in biochemical assays and bio-instrumentation, supporting cancer research initiatives.
Highlights
Executed various biochemical assays, including enzyme kinetics and protein quantification, to support ongoing cancer research projects.
Operated and maintained advanced bio-instrumentation, ensuring accurate data collection and experimental reliability.
Acquired foundational skills in laboratory safety protocols, quality control measures, and data documentation within a research setting.
Education
Central University of Haryana
Mahendragarh, Haryana, India
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Ph.D.Biochemistry
Courses
Molecular Biology
Fungal Biology
Fermentation Biology
Secondary Metabolites
Machine Learning
Computational Biology
Systems Pharmacology
Central University of South Bihar
Gaya, Bihar, India
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M.Sc.BiotechnologyGrade: 8.65 CGPA
Courses
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Biochemical Techniques
Genetic Engineering
Bioinformatics
College of Commerce, Arts, and Science
Patna, Bihar, India
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B.Sc.BiotechnologyGrade: 73.25%
Courses
General Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Biostatistics
Environmental Science
Awards
Best Student Researcher
Central University of Haryana
Recognized for an outstanding publication record of 22 research outputs with a cumulative impact factor of 45.8, demonstrating significant contributions to scientific literature.
Publications
In-silico and functional characterization of EcdLp, an ABC transporter of Aspergillus nidulans NRRL11440.
Current Microbiology
Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Kumari, H., Sinha, M., Kumar, V., & Kumar, A. (2026). In-silico and functional characterization of EcdLp, an ABC transporter of Aspergillus nidulans NRRL11440. Current Microbiology (I.F. 2.6)
Development of CuO-enhanced soybean protein isolate biofilms with antioxidant, photocatalytic, and antimicrobial properties for food packaging applications.
Next Materials
Dhayal, A., Kumar, H., Kumar, G., Prakash, S., Yadav, A., & Brahma, M. (2025). Development of CuO-enhanced soybean protein isolate biofilms with antioxidant, photocatalytic, and antimicrobial properties for food packaging applications. Next Materials, 8, 100616. 10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100616 (I.F. NA)
Design, synthesis, characterization, and exploration of biological potential of new thiazole-pyrazolone hybrids.
Journal of Molecular Structure
Kumar, A., Kumar, M., Brahma, M., Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Maruthi, M., Ansari, A., Singh, S., Kataria, R., & Kumar, V. (2025). Design, synthesis, characterization, and exploration of biological potential of new thiazole-pyrazolone hybrids. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1348 (1), 143296. 10.1016/j.molstruc.2025.143296 (I.F. 4.7)
Silver nanoparticles synthesis from Bacillus subtilis and its ROS-mediated staphylocidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Journal of Basic Microbiology
Sinha, M., Kumari, H., Prakash, S., Kumari, N., Maruthi, M., Arora, K., & Kumar, A. (2025). Silver nanoparticles synthesis from Bacillus subtilis and its ROS-mediated staphylocidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Basic Microbiology. 10.1002/jobm.70091 (I.F. 2.7)
Unveiling Gelation and Antimicrobial Potentials of α-Acyloxy Carboxamides: Findings from Experimental and Theoretical Approach.
ChemMedChem
Sebastian, S., Kumar, M., Hussain, F., Rathore, S., Rohila, Y., Meenakshi, Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Bhardwaj, P., & Maruthi, M. (2025). Unveiling Gelation and Antimicrobial Potentials of α-Acyloxy Carboxamides: Findings from Experimental and Theoretical Approach. ChemMedChem, 20(8), e202400774. 10.1002/cmdc.202400774 (I.F. 3.4)
Alchemy of Fungi and AI: Response surface methodology and Artificial neural network-based optimization of Echinocandin B production in Aspergillus nidulans.
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry
Prakash, S., Sahu, N., Choudhary, A., Kumari, H., Sinha, M., Mahanty, B., & Kumar, A. (2025). Alchemy of Fungi and AI: Response surface methodology and Artificial neural network-based optimization of Echinocandin B production in Aspergillus nidulans. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 1–42. 10.1002/bab.2787 (I.F. 2.8)
Unravelling the potential of 2-(Bromo/polybromophenylamino) substituted-4-arylthiazoles: Synthesis, characterization, anticancer, antimicrobial, molecular docking and ADMET studies.
Journal of Molecular Structure
Kumar, A., Brahma, M., Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Maruthi, M., Kumar, M., Ansari, A., Kataria, R., & Kumar, V. (2025). Unravelling the potential of 2-(Bromo/polybromophenylamino) substituted-4-arylthiazoles: Synthesis, characterization, anticancer, antimicrobial, molecular docking and ADMET studies. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1351(2), 144301. 10.1016/j.molstruc.2025.144301 (I.F. 4.7)
Regulation and Induction of Fungal Secondary Metabolites: A Comprehensive Review.
Archives of Microbiology
Prakash, S., Kumari, H., Minakshi, & Kumar, A. (2025). Regulation and Induction of Fungal Secondary Metabolites: A Comprehensive Review. Archives of Microbiology, 207(189). 10.1007/s00203-025-04386-0 (I.F. 2.6)
Therapeutic outcome of secondary metabolites against contagious and noncontagious human diseases.
Academic Press (Elsevier)
Sinha, M., Kumari, H., Prakash, S., & Kumar, A. (2025). Therapeutic outcome of secondary metabolites against contagious and noncontagious human diseases. In Secondary Metabolites in Stress and Disease Management (pp.519), Academic Press (Elsevier). 10.1016/B978-0-443-33959-2.00007-1
Starch/Whey protein isolate/TiO2 bio-nanocomposite based film: Sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable plastic.
Next Materials
Dhayal, A., Kumar, H., Sharma, R., Kumari, R., Kumar, G., Saloni, Yadav, A., Yadav, A., Prakash, S., & Kumar, A. Starch/Whey protein isolate/TiO2 bio-nanocomposite - based film: Sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable plastic. Next Materials (Revision Submitted).
Micellplex mediated site-specific RNAi delivery: An insight to plausible therapeutic intervention against COVID-19.
Coronaviruses
Prakash, S., Minakshi, Kumari, H., Ajay, A.K., & Kumar, A. (2024). Micellplex mediated site-specific RNAi delivery: An insight to plausible therapeutic intervention against COVID-19, Coronaviruses; 6(3). 10.2174/0126667975314555240805115442 (I.F. NA)
Atom-economical synthesis, antimicrobial assessment, and molecular dynamics of indole-derived peptidomimetics for improved therapeutic insights.
Journal of Molecular Structure
Sebastian, S., Rohila, Y., Meenakshi, Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Sengupta, S., Kumar, D., Ansari, A., & Gupta, M. K. (2024). Atom-economical synthesis, antimicrobial assessment, and molecular dynamics of indole-derived peptidomimetics for improved therapeutic insights. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1318 (P2), 139211. 10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.139211 (I.F. 4.7)
Development of starch/whey protein isolate biofilm incorporated with silver oxide nanoparticles: A multifunctional antioxidant, antibacterial, photocatalytic, and anticancer agent.
Inorganic Chemistry Communications
Dhayal, A., Kumar, H., Prakash, S., Kumar, A., Brahma, M., & Maruthi, M. (2024). Development of starch/whey protein isolate biofilm incorporated with silver oxide nanoparticles: A multifunctional antioxidant, antibacterial, photocatalytic, and anticancer agent. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 171, 113661. 10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113661 (I.F. 5.4)
Environmentally benign self-assembled biopolymer-peptoid nanosilver composite hybrid gel beads via ion-crosslinking for antimicrobial and catalytic applications.
Applied Materials Today
Sebastian, S., Rohila, Y., Ansari, A., Prakash, S., Kumar, A., & Gupta, M. K. (2024). Environmentally benign self-assembled biopolymer-peptoid nanosilver composite hybrid gel beads via ion-crosslinking for antimicrobial and catalytic applications. Applied Materials Today, 41, 102512. 10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102512 (I.F. 6.9)
Dysbiosis and Regulation of Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Minakshi, Kumari, H., Prakash, S., & Kumar, A. (2024). Dysbiosis and Regulation of Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; 26(14), 2288-2309. 10.2174/0113892010318580240910061534 (I.F. 2.6)
Dual Role of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose in Seizure Modulation.
Bentham Science
Prakash, S., Singh, K., & Kumar, A. (2024). Dual Role of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose in Seizure Modulation. In 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose: Chemistry and Biology (pp. 232). Bentham Science. 10.2174/9789815305159124010014
Farnesol-mediated activation of ecd gene cluster elevates Echinocandin B synthesis in Aspergillus nidulans.
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Prakash, S., Choudhary, A., Kumari, H., Sinha, M., Kumar, V., & Kumar, A. Farnesol-mediated activation of ecd gene cluster elevates Echinocandin B synthesis in Aspergillus nidulans. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (Revision Submitted).
The Evolution of Next-Generation Lateral Flow Assays for Bacterial and Fungal Diagnostics.
Microchimica Acta
Prakash, S., Mishra, C., Sinha, M., Kumari, H., & Kumar, A. The Evolution of Next-Generation Lateral Flow Assays for Bacterial and Fungal Diagnostics. Microchimica Acta (Under Review).
Epigenetic Regulation of Fungal Secondary Metabolites for the Enhancement of Therapeutically Active Compounds.
Springer, Singapore
Prakash, S., Kumari, H., Minakshi, & Kumar, A. (2024). Epigenetic Regulation of Fungal Secondary Metabolites for the Enhancement of Therapeutically Active Compounds. In Fungi Bioactive Metabolites: Integration of Pharmaceutical Applications (pp. 605). Springer, Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-99-5696-8_19
Unraveling the Intricacies of Carbon Catabolic Repression and Glucose in Fungal Pathogenesis.
CRC Press
Prakash, S., Kumari, H., Minakshi, Pasrija, R., & Kumar, A. (2024). Unraveling the Intricacies of Carbon Catabolic Repression and Glucose in Fungal Pathogenesis. Human Fungal Diseases (pp. 169), CRC Press. 10.1201/9781032642864-13
Antiviral Potential of 2-DG Used in Different Viral Infections.
Bentham Science
Prakash, S., Minakshi, Kumari, H., & Kumar, A. (2024). Antiviral Potential of 2-DG Used in Different Viral Infections. In 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose: Chemistry and Biology (pp.70), Bentham Science. 10.2174/9789815305159124010008
Strategies for Enhancing the Production of Echinocandin.
Springer, Singapore
Kumari, H.*, Prakash, S.*, Minakshi, & Kumar, A. (2024). Strategies for Enhancing the Production of Echinocandin. In Fungi Bioactive Metabolites: Integration of Pharmaceutical Applications (pp. 633). Springer, Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-99-5696-8_20
Nanotechnology: An Advanced Approach toward the Treatment of Fungal Infections.
CRC Press
Kumari, H., Prakash, S., Pasrija, R., & Kumar, A. (2024). Nanotechnology: An Advanced Approach toward the Treatment of Fungal Infections. In Human Fungal Diseases (pp. 155). CRC Press. 10.1201/9781032642864-12
Natural Bioactive Products from Marine Fungi Against Bacterial Infection.
Springer, Singapore
Minakshi, Prakash, S., Kumari, H., & Kumar, A. (2024). Natural Bioactive Products from Marine Fungi Against Bacterial Infection. In Fungi Bioactive Metabolites: Integration of Pharmaceutical Applications (pp. 241). Springer, Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-99-5696-8_8
Long chain α-acyloxy carboxamides as potential antimicrobial agents.
Indian Patent Office
Gupta, M.K., Sebastian, S., Rohila, Y., Kumar, V., Ansari, A., Prakash, S., Kumar, A. Long chain α-acyloxy carboxamides as potential antimicrobial agents. Indian Patent, Filed on 19.10.2023 (Application No.: IN 202311071514), Published on 24.02.2023.
Mucormycosis threats: A systemic review.
Journal of Basic Microbiology
Prakash, S., & Kumar, A. (2023). Mucormycosis threats: A systemic review. Journal of Basic Microbiology, 63(2), 119–127. 10.1002/jobm.202200334 (I.F. 2.7)
Communication, Problem solving, Mentorship, Team collaboration, Research Training, Scientific Writing, Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking.
References
Prof. Antresh Kumar
Professor, Central University of Haryana, Haryana, India. Phone: +91-7766932922; Email: antreshkumar@gamil.com, antreshkumar@cuh.ac.in
Prof. Rajendra Prasad
Dean and Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Panchgaon, Manesar, Haryana, India. Phone: +91-9810974443; Email: rp47jnu@gmail.com
Dr. Biswanath Mahanty
Associate Professor, Division of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: +91-8016747093; Email: bmahanty@karunya.edu
Dr. Mulaka Maruthi
Assistant Professor, Central University of Haryana, Haryana, India. Phone: +91-6305763257; Email: mulaka@cuh.ac.in