Motivation

Microbiomes rule the world (and possibly space)! To achieve foundational changes in the understanding of health and wellness, there is a recognized need to advance our understanding of the key players in our ecosystems, viz. microbial communities. Furthermore, minimally invasive, non-genomic engineering of microbiomes would be crucial for restoring ecological balance in natural (soils, river, gut) and engineered (anaerobic digestion, fermentation) ecosystems. Low-cost next-generation sequencing (NGS) may not be high throughput enough to resolve dynamic changes in the structure of the microbiome over time and there is a need to develop non-invasive tools complementary to genomic approaches for designing effective operational and engineering strategies. The structure and function of microbial communities manifest as unique combinations, or ‘Cytometric Fingerprints’ of characteristics such as viability, metabolic activity, and morphology. 
      Our main interests lie in exploring the cytometric fingerprinting and machine learning-driven microbiome engineering approaches complementary to analysis-intensive genomic approaches for shaping microbiota to alter the ecosystem of interest. In particular, we’re interested in developing a strong research program with the Judicious Engineering of microbiomes for Enhanced sanitation & Water resources, Agriculture, and National health Upliftment: “JEEWANU”(Sanskrit for "particles of life").
      To investigate this, we are developing a novel flow cytometry-based label-free, high throughput technique, which is sensitive to spatial and temporal changes in the structure and function of microbiomes. Our previous work suggested that cytometric fingerprinting could be used for a rapid, high-throughput understanding of microbiome dynamics thereby opening doors to in-situ microbiome engineering for actionable benefits. Following are some of the specific applications of microbiome dynamics that we are currently interested in:

1. Sanitation & Water Resources (Anaerobic Digestion, Digeponics, River Conservation)
2. Food & Agriculture (Milk Foam, Soil Testing, AgroProcessing, Aquaponics)
3. Public Health (Mastitis, Cytometric Fingerprinting Machine Learning-CFML)

Further details are updating soon.....

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Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ORCID: 0000-0003-4889-0885, Scopus Author ID: 57194014435, ResearcherID: T-7145-2017, Vidwan-ID : 213436

(* as the corresponding author)

Journal Articles (n=22)

• Chitnis, A.V., Nair, L., Gupta, D., Dhoble, A.S.* (2024). Non-sterile cultivation of oleaginous organisms.Trends in Biotechnology (IF: 17.3), TIBTEC2495 (In production)

• Rani, J., Dhoble, A.S.* (2024). Adaptability and diversity of core microbiome in evaluating the effect of digested versus raw manure in anaerobic digestion of rice straw. Fuel (IF: 7.4), 357, Part C, 130010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130010 

• Priyadarsini, M., Kushwaha, J., Pandey, K.P., Rani, J., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Application of flow cytometry for rapid, high-throughput, multiparametric analysis of environmental microbiomes. Journal of Microbiological Methods (IF: 2.2), 214, 106841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106841 

• Kushwaha, J., Priyadarsini, M., Rani, J., Pandey, K.P., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Aquaponic trends, configurations, operational parameters, and microbial dynamics – a concise review. Environment, Development and Sustainability (IF: 4.9) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03924-4 

• Rani, J., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Effect of fungal pre-treatment by Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trichoderma longibrachiatum on the anaerobic digestion of rice straw. Bioresource Technology (IF: 11.4) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129503 

• Singh, Y., Rani, J., Kushwaha, J., Priyadarsini, M., Pandey, K.P., Sheth, P.N., Yadav, S.K., Mahesh, M.S., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Scientific characterization methods for better utilization of cattle dung and urine: a concise review. Tropical Animal Health and Production​ (IF: 1.7) 55, 274.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03691-4 

• Rani, J., Stablein, M.J., Patel, K., Pang, X., Lahiri, P., Bhalerao, K.D., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Monitoring effects of tetracycline and spectinomycin perturbations on biogas production and microbiome dynamics in a batch mesophilic anaerobic digestion. BioEnergy Research​ (IF: 3.6) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-023-10625-3 

• Pandey, K.P., Jha, U.R., Kushwaha, J., Priyadarsini, M., Meshram, S.U., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Practical ways to recycle plastic: current status and future aspects. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management​ (IF: 3.1) 25, 1249–1266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01611-0 

• Acharya, S., Dandigunta, B., Sagar, H., Rani, J., Priyadarsini, M., Verma, S., Kushwaha, J., Fageria, P., Lahiri, P., Chattopadhyay, P., Dhoble, A.S.* (2022). Analyzing milk foam using machine learning for diverse applications. Food Analytical Methods (IF: 2.9) 15, 3365–3378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02379-z

• Rani, J., Pandey, K.P., Kushwaha, J., Priyadarsini, M., Dhoble, A.S.* (2022). Antibiotics in anaerobic digestion: Investigative studies on digester performance and microbial diversity. Bioresource Technology (IF: 11.4). 127662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127662

• Patel, V.B., Chatterjee, S., Dhoble, A.S.* (2022). A review on pectinase properties, application in juice clarification and membranes as immobilization support. Journal of Food Science (IF: 3.9). 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750‐3841.16233

• Bhorkar, I., Dhoble, A.S.* (2021). Advances in the synthesis and application of self-assembling biomaterials. Progress in Biophysics & Molecular Biology (IF: 3.8). 167, 46-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.07.011

• Dandigunta, B., Karthick, A., Chattopadhyay, P., Dhoble, A.S.* (2021). Impact of temperature and surfactant addition on milk foams. Journal of Food Engineering (IF: 5.5), 110509.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2021.110509

• Ban, X., Dhoble, A.S., Li, C., Gu, Z., Hong, Y., Cheng, L., Holler, T. P., Bhalerao, K.D., Li, Z. (2020). Bacterial 1,4-α-glucan branching enzyme: characteristics, preparation and commercial applications. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology (IF: 9.6), 40:3, 380-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2020.1713720

• Ban, X., Wu, J., Bhalerao, K.D., Lahiri, P., Dhoble, A.S., Gu, Z., Li, C., Chng, L., Hong, Y., Tong, Y., Li, Z. (2020). Additional salt bridges improve the thermostability of 1,4-α-glucan branching enzyme. Food Chemistry (IF:8.8), 316, 126348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126348

• Dhoble, A.S., Ryan, K.T., Lahiri, P., Chen, M., Pang, X., Cardoso, F.C., Bhalerao, K.D. (2019). Cytometric fingerprinting and machine learning (CFML): A novel label-free, objective method for routine mastitis screening. Computers & Electronics in Agriculture (IF: 8.3), 162, 505-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2019.04.029

• Ban, X., Lahiri, P., Dhoble, A.S., Gu, Z., Li, C., Cheng, L., Hong, Y., Li, Z., Bhalerao, K.D. (2019). Evolutionary stability of salt bridges hints its contribution to stability of proteins. Computational & Structural Biotechnology Journal (IF:6.0), 17, 895-903.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2019.06.022

• Dhoble, A.S., Lahiri, P., Bhalerao, K. D. (2018). Machine learning analysis of microbial flow cytometry data from nanoparticles, antibiotics and carbon sources perturbed anaerobic microbiomes. Journal of Biological Engineering (IF: 5.6), 12(1),19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-018-0112-9  

• Ban, X., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y., Gu, Z., Li,C., Cheng, L., Hong, Y., Dhoble, A.S., Li, Z. (2018). Thermostabilization of a thermophilic 1,4-α-glucan branching enzyme through C-terminal truncation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (IF: 8.2), 107,1510-1518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.020

• Ban, X., Dhoble, A.S., Li, C., Zhang, Y., Gu, Z., Cheng, L., Hong, Y., Li, Z., (2017). Potassium and sodium ions enhance the activity and thermostability of 1, 4-α-glucan branching enzyme from Geobacillus thermoglucosidasiusin the presence of glycerol. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (IF: 8.2), 102, 712-717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.04.061

• Dhoble, A.S., Bekal, S., Dolatowski, W., Yanz, C., Lambert, K.N., Bhalerao, K.D., (2016). A novel high-throughput multi-parameter flow cytometry based method for monitoring and rapid characterization of microbiome dynamics in anaerobic systems. Bioresource Technology (IF: 11.4), 220, 566-571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.08.076

• Dhoble, A.S.*, Pullammanappallil, P.C., (2014). Design and operation of an anaerobic digester for waste management and fuel generation during long term lunar mission. Advances in Space Research (IF: 2.6), 54(8), 502-1512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2014.06.029

Full-Length Conference Publication (Peer-Reviewed, International, SCI/SCOPUS Indexed) (n=1) 

• Pullammanappallil, P.C., Dhoble, A.S. (2010). Biochemical methane potential of wastes generated during long term lunar mission. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 40th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES) 2010. Barcelona, Spain; 97956, p.6203 (H-index: 8). https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2010-6203 

Book Chapters (n=5)

• Priyadarsini, M., Pandey, K.P., Kushwaha, J., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). Application of cutting-edge molecular biotechnological tools in microbial bioprocessing. In: Sarkar, A., Ahmed, I.A. (eds) Microbial products for future industrialization. Interdisciplinary Biotechnological Advances. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-1737-2_5 

• Priyadarsini, M., Rani, J., Kushwaha, J., Pandey, K.P., Singh, Y., Dhoble, A.S.* (2023). An introduction to omics in relevance to industrial microbiology. In: Verma, P. (eds) Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2816-3_2 

• Pandey, K.P., Kushwaha, J., Priyadarsini, M., Rani, J., Singh, Y., Dhoble, A.S.* Chapter 5 - Identification and culture test, Editor(s): Aditya Kumar, Ajit Behera, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Muhammad Bilal, Ram K. Gupta, Antiviral and Antimicrobial Smart Coatings, Elsevier, 2023, Pages 113-139, ISBN 9780323992916, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99291-6.00014-1

• Dahake, A., Dhoble, A.S.*, 9 - Microbial consortium engineering for the improvement of biochemical production, Editor(s): Ashok Pandey, Swati Joshi, Ranjna Sirohi, Sunghoon Park, Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Elsevier, 2022, Pages 201-233, ISBN 978-0-323-88504-1, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-88504-1.00005-4

• Vyas, T., Dhoble, A.S., Pandey, M., Singhvi, G., 3.30 - Human microbiome as drug delivery system, Editor(s): Maria Glibetic, Comprehensive Gut Microbiota, Elsevier, 2022, Pages 402-415, ISBN 9780128220368, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819265-8.00006-1

Conference Proceedings (n=15)

International (outside India)

• Dhoble, A.S., Bhalerao, K.D. (2017, May). A Novel Flow Cytometry Based Methodology to Characterize the Microbiome in Animal Systems. (Invited Talk) Tech Connect World Innovation Conference & Expo. Washington DC (USA). https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2017/a.php?i=681

• Dhoble, A.S., Kent, A.D., Bhalerao, K.D. (2015, March). Applications of Novel Flow Cytometry Based Method in Conjunction with ARISA for Analyzing Microbial Community Structure, Function, and Dynamics. Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) 2015 Annual Meeting, IBE 2015, St. Louis, MO (USA).

• Dhoble, A.S., Yin, Y. (2014, June). Post-Harvest Loss in India. The Fifth Subsistence Marketplaces Conference 2014, Champaign, IL (USA).

• Dhoble, A.S., Bekal, S., Dolatowski, W., Lambert, K.N., Bhalerao, K.D. (2014, March). Novel Flow Cytometry Based Method to Characterize Microbial Communities in Complex Environmental Systems. Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) 2014 Annual Meeting, IBE 2014, Lexington, KY (USA). 

• Dhoble, A.S., Walker, D., Bekal, S., Dolatowski, W., Lambert, K.N., Kent, A.D., Soman, C., Bhalerao, K.D. (2015, June). Novel Flow Cytometry Based Method for Analyzing Complex Microbial Community Perturbed by Engineered Nanoparticles in Wastewater Sludge. Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on “Nanoscience and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems” at Bentley University, Waltham, MA (USA).

• Dhoble, A.S., Walker, D., Bhalerao, K.D. (2012, October). Nanowaste Management: Concern to Growing Bioeconomy. Growing the Bioeconomy Conference, Banff, (Canada).

• Chen X., Dhoble, A.S., Lin, X., Parekatt, V., Soman, C., Bashir, R., Bhalerao, K.D. (2012, May). Understanding Nanoparticle Toxicity in the Environment. Nanotechnology Industry Open House, Nano-CEMMS Annual Industry Meeting: Transition to Commercial Application and the Latest Research Developments and CNST 10th Annual Nanotechnology Workshop, Urbana, IL (USA). 

International (within India)

• Priyadarsini, M.P., Dogra, A., Kharwar, S., Dhoble, A.S. (2023, November). Methane generation potential of mango waste through anaerobic digestion. 2^nd International Conference on Advances and Innovation in Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy (AI-BSBB2023), Satna, MP.

National  

• Dhoble, A.S. (2023, January). Scientific investigation into the uniqueness of indigenous cows for the advancement of biogas technology. 46^th Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC), Trichy.

• Pandey, K.P. and Dhoble, A.S. (2023, January). Rural India: organic waste management and biogas production through anaerobic digestion. 46^th Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC), Trichy.

• Priyadarsini, M.P. and Dhoble, A.S. (2023, January). Comparative analysis of microbiome present in cow and buffalo dung using flow cytometer. 46^th Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC), Trichy.

• Kushwaha, J.K. and Dhoble, A.S. (2023, January). Organic farming: potential of floral waste for composting. 46^th Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC), Trichy.

• Singh, Y. and Dhoble, A.S. (2023, January). Significance of indigenous gau-mutra analysis by gas-chromoatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). 46^th Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC), Trichy.

• Dhoble, A.S. (2022, November). Microbiome characterization via cytometric fingerprinting & machine learning (CFML). 4^th Biological Engineering Society Conference (BESCON) 2022, Kolkata. 

• Rani, J., Dhoble, A.S. (2022, November). Monitoring effects of antibiotic perturbations on biogas production and microbiome dynamics of anaerobic digestion using cytometric fingerprinting and machine learning. 4^th Biological Engineering Society Conference (BESCON) 2022, Kolkata. 

Magazine Article

1. Dhoble, A.S. (2010). Science in the service of small farmers in India. Tattva. (Third Anniversary Edition) Pg. 27-28

Patents (n=5)

• A composting system for waste management (Application No.: 202311089682) Inventors: Jeetesh Kushwaha, Abhishek Suresh Dhoble (Status: Filed)

• Production of paper pulp from anaerobic digestion of Napier grass Inventors: Madhumita Priyadarsini, Abhishek Suresh Dhoble (Status: Filing in process)

• Method for anaerobic digestion of floral waste through fungal pre-treatment Inventors: Kailash Pati Pandey, Abhishek Suresh Dhoble (Status: Filing in process)

• Production of hawan samagri from anaerobic digestate of floral waste Inventors: Kailash Pati Pandey, Abhishek Suresh Dhoble (Status: Filing in process)

• Sustainable paper production from anaerobically digested rice straw Inventors: Jyoti Rani, Abhishek Suresh Dhoble (Status: Filing in process)

Teaching at IIT (BHU) Varanasi

Even Sem 2023-24 

• BC-101: Biochemical Engineering Practice Lab

• BC-518: Biological Waste Water

Odd Sem 2023-24 

• BC-331: Waste Water Engineering 

• BC-511: Biological Engineering

Even Sem 2022-23 

• BC-101: Biochemical Engineering Practice 

• BC-518: Biological Waste Water 

Odd Sem 2022-23 

• BC-331: Waste Water Engineering 

• BC-511: Biological Engineering

Even Sem 2021-22 

• BC-101: Biochemical Engineering Practice 

• BC-211: Microbial Process Principles 

• BC-504: Biochemical Engineering Lab-2

• BC-518: Biological Waste Water 

Odd Sem 2021-22 

• BC-311: Microbial Engineering

• BC-331: Waste Water Engineering 

• BC-511: Biological Engineering

Even Sem 2020-21 

• BC-101: Biochemical Engineering Practice

• BC-518: Biological Waste Water 

Teaching at BITS Pilani

Sem-I, 2020-2021 

• SSTM-ZG516: Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods

• CHE-F421: Biochemical Engineering 

• CHE-F312: Chemical Engineering Lab-I

• BITS-F111: Thermodynamics (Tutorial)

Sem-II, 2019-2020 

• CHE-F421: Biochemical Engineering

• BITS-F225: Environmental Studies 

• CHE-F244: Separation Processes - I (Tutorial) 

• BITS-G661: Research Methodology - I (ad-hoc, Lecture: Design of Experiments) 

Sem-I, 2019-2020 

• CHE-F421: Biochemical Engineering

• CHE-F213: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (Tutorial) 

• BITS-F111: Thermodynamics (Tutorial) 

Summer Term, 2018-2019 

• BITS-F221: Practice School - I 

Sem-II, 2018-2019 

• CHE-F244: Separation Processes - I (Tutorial)

• CHE-F312: Chemical Engineering Laboratory - II 

• BITS-G661: Research Methodology - I (ad-hoc, Lecture: Design of Experiments)

Teaching at UIUC, USA

Teaching Assistant (TA) for the following courses:

• MCB-245: Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab-I (Fall 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)
• MCB-247: Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab-II (Spring 2013, 2015, 2016)
• CPSC-265: Genetic Engineering Lab (Spring 2014) 

Teaching Certificates

Graduate Teacher Certificate Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL),USA

• Developed teaching skills and reflective practice as a teaching assistant

• Documented teaching experience, professional development, and the constructive use of student feedback

• Nurtured teaching development by participations in workshops on active learning, grading, leading discussions, lesson planning, and relevant campus policies

• Developed teaching skills and reflective practice based on third party classroom observations and mid-semester evaluations from students

Dr. Sandra J. Finley Teacher Scholar Certificate Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL),USA

• Pioneered the original work (lab activity) and got it assessed by peers

• Explored pedagogy by participating in a regularly scheduled reading group

• Engaged in a discipline-based service wrote a reflective essay on my experiences

• Polished teaching philosophy based on my teaching experiences in the discipline and connecting to my learnings from participating in CITL’s Certificate Program 

Conference/Workshop/Event Organization

• Organizing Secretary, " Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Activity," sponsored by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) (Feb 13, 2024) 

• Organizing Committee Member, a one-week short-term course on "Advanced Functional Materials and Informatics (AFMI-2023) " supported by I-DAPT HUB, IIT(BHU) and American Chemical Society (ACS), India (Nov 29 - Dec 3,  2023)

• Facilitator, "Industry Expert Interaction-Student Enrichment Activity"  School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, (interaction by Mr. Rajesh Date development of novel technologies for the conversion of agro-residue and waste into 2G CBG for transportation and industrial applications) (Octo 4, 2023)

• Organizing Committee Member, Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malavijaji and his Contributions for the Development of Science & Technology, Jointly organized by IIT (BHU) Varanasi and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India (April 14-15, 2023)

• Organizing Committee Member, Short-term course on Computer-Aided Drug Design and Structural Bioinformatics (CADDSB-2023), IIT (BHU) Varanasi (supported by IDAPT-Hub)  (March 13-17, 2023)

• Media Coordinator, Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2022, Software Edition, IIT (BHU) Varanasi Nodal Center (Aug 25-26, 2022)

• Organizing Committee Member, I-DAPT HEALTH-TECH HACKATHON, IIT (BHU) Varanasi (July 28-29, 2022)

• Organizing Secretary, One Day Training on Flow Cytometry, organized by the School of  the Biochemical Engineering at IIT (BHU) Varanasi in association with Beckman Coulter India Pvt. Ltd. (May 12, 2022)

• Organizing Committee Member, National Conference on Computational and Biochemical Drug Discovery (NCCBDD-2021), IIT (BHU) Varanasi (Sept 11-12, 2021)

• Organizing Secretary, Webinar on "Bio-Startups: The Journey from Idea to Reality", IIT (BHU) Varanasi (Sept 4, 2021)

• Local Hospitality, 4^th Workshop on Analytical Instruments for Chemical and Environmental Engineers, WAICEE-2019, BITS Pilani  (March 25-26, 2019)

• Convener, "Karmanya-08" A National Level Technical Symposium, LIT Nagpur (Feb 28, 2008)

Academic Service/Administrative Responsibilities at IIT (BHU)

Within the Institute

• Faculty Mentor, Institute Calendar 2024

• Examination Coordinator, School of Biochemical Engineering, Jan 2024 - till date

• Member, Institute Ranking Committee, July 2023 - 2025

• Member, Institute Biosafety Committee, July 2023 - 2025

• Member, Medical Board Committee, May 2023 - till date

• Member Secretary, Departmental Purchase Committee, FY 2023-24

• Member, Department Postgraduate Committee (DPGC), AY 2021-22, AY 2023-24

• Member, Department Undergraduate Committee (DUGC), AY 2023-24

• Convener, Department Undergraduate Committee (DUGC), AY 2021-22 & AY 2022-23

• Represented the Institute in the Exhibition to showcase the R&D on Therapeutics, Vaccines, and Diagnostics during Indian Presidency G-20 Health Working Group Meeting (3^rd HWG), Hyderabad (June 4-6, 2023)

• Deputation for the smooth functioning of Laser Show - Technex 2023 (March 19, 2023)

• Member, National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Committee (Sept 2022 - July 2023)

• Counting Officer, Student Parliament Election (Aug 22, 2022)

• Member, Committee on Physical Verification of Fixed Assets & Inventory Items, School of Biochemical Engg (2021)

• Member, M.Tech. Admission Committee 2021 - till date (School of Biochemical Engineering)

• Member, Ph.D. Admission Committee 2021 - till date (School of Biochemical Engineering)

Outside the Institute

• Reviewer for Biology for Engineers under AICTE Technical Book Translation in Marathi Language (Octo 2023)

• Reviewer, Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Applications (Cycle 11) (Sept 2023)

• Reviewer, Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Annual Review (June 2023)

• Member, Interdisciplinary Thematic Panel on ‘Rural Technology, Social Organisation and Rural Development of XLVI Indian Social Science Congress (2022-25)

• Executive Member, Biological Engineering Society, India (since Nov 2022)

• Member, Technical Team, Smt. Vini Mahajan (Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India) visit to a Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Shahnshahpur village, Arajiline Block, Varanasi, UP (Sep 19,  2022)

• Review Editor in Frontiers in Bacteriology - Molecular Bacteriology and Microbiome (June 2022 - onwards)

• Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Microbiotechnology (specialty section of Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and Frontiers in Environmental Science) (Octo 2021 - onwards)

• External Ph.D. Thesis Examiner, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune (2021)

• External Subject Expert, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Electronics And Engineering Research Institute (CSIR–CEERI), Post Code 0504, Project No. MLP-0119 (July 2021)

Administrative Responsibilities at BITS Pilani

Semester-I (2020-21):

• Website Design & Development Coordinator, Dept. of Chemical Engineering
• Honorary Regional Treasurer, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Pilani Regional Centre (PRC)
• Faculty Mentor for IIChE, BITS Pilani Chapter's blog series (CHEM-E-CHRONICLES)
• Member, Placement Feedback Advisory Counselling (PFAC), Dept. of Chemical Engineering
• Single Point of Contact (SPOC), Practice School Division (PSD), Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Summer 2020:

• Member, Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) in the area of Biochemical & Environmental Engineering for the candidate ID 2019PHXP0068P
• Honorary Regional Treasurer, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Pilani Regional Centre (PRC)
• Evaluator for Chemical Engineering Association (CEA): Monali Dey Award (2020) and First Batch 1968 Alumni Award (2020) 

Semester-II (2019-20):

• Honorary Regional Treasurer, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Pilani Regional Centre (PRC)
• Member, Committee for PhD Qualifying Examinations

Semester-I (2019-20):

• Coordinator, Student Faculty Council (SFC), Department of Chemical Engineering
• Coordinator, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering (BioEnvE) Colloquium Series

Summer 2019:

• Faculty Instructor, Practice School (PS) - I, Summer 2019, Nagpur station (StationIDs 3603:Kizora Software Pvt. Ltd. and 3834:SeeTech Solutions) 

Semester-II (2018-19):

• Member of Student Faculty Council (SFC), Department of Chemical Engineering
• Exam Invigilator, Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP)
• Paper Evaluator and Judge for Paper Presentation, APOGEE 2019
• Invited Strategist for Boosting Award Applications, Chemical Engineering Association (CEA) 2019
• Evaluator for Monali Dey Award 2019 and Interview Panel Member for Tresbian Award, R.P Vaid Award and Higher Degree Best Performance Award, 2019

Administrative Responsibilities/Professional Service at UIUC, USA

University Level: 

• Graduate Student Focus Group, U of I Branding Project 2015, UIUC, USA

College Level:

• RAP I Engineering & Technology Program – Presenter, UIUC, USA
• Discover Engineering – Presenter, UIUC, USA
• Imagine ACES camp– Presenter, UIUC, USA

Department Level:

• Sustainability Chair - ABE Graduate Student Association (GSA), UIUC, USA
• Judge, ABE 100 Challenge Project Presentations, UIUC, USA

Other Outside Service:

• Judge, Business 101 Poster Presentation (600 UGs, 120 groups)

Peer-Reviewer (on ad-hoc basis) for Journals

• Bioresource Technology (BITE)
• Food Chemistry
• Applied and Environmental Microbiology (AEM)
• RSC Advances
• Microbiomes
• Biotechnology Letters
• Enzyme and Microbial Technology
• Biotechnology and Bioengineering
• Journal of Biological Engineering
• Open Agriculture
• Archives of Information Science & Technology

Selected National Committees, Recognition, Honors, Awards, Prizes

• Member, Inter-Ministerial Working Group on "Science & Technology (S&T) Inputs for GOBARDHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan) Yojna" (June 2022 - 2024)
• Top Reviewer in Biology and Biochemistry (Top 1% in the Field, Web of Science Group) (2019) 
• Most Valued Reviewer – Bioresource Technology (2018) 
• Ben & Georgeann Jones Excellence in Teaching Award (2016)
• Included in the list of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by their Students based on Instructor and Course Evaluation (ICES) questionnaire forms maintained by Measurement and Evaluation, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), UIUC (2016)
• Leader of Tomorrow- Global Biotech Revolution GapSummit (2014)
• Ben & Georgeann Jones Graduate Student Scholarship (2014)
• Charles Wert India-Illinois Scholarship (2012)
• George and Amanda Hanley Scholarship (2012)
• 1^st Prize, Paper Presentation, ‘Techniche-07’, IIT-Guwahati (2007)
• 1^st Prize, Paper Presentation, Eureka, ‘Techkriti’06’, IIT-Kanpur (2006)

Invited Talks

• Invited Talk on "A Novel, Single Cell-Based Approach for Deciphering Microbiome Dynamics in Anaerobic Digestion" at the 2^nd International Conference on Advances and Innovation in Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy (AI-BSBB2023), Satna, MP (Nov 23, 2023)

• Expert Talk on "A Novel, Rapid, High-Throughput Characterization of Microbiome Dynamics through Cytomics and Machine Learning" at the 7 Days Workshop on “DST STUTI ICT-A hands-on-training on Flow Cytometry” under STUTI, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Engg. & Tech., IIT (BHU) Varanasi in association with ICT, Mumbai (Dec 02, 2022)

Selected Conference Travel Awards

• Gordon Research Conference (GRC) Award (USD 750.00) (2015)
• UIUC Grad College Conference Travel Award (USD 150.00) (2015)
• Global Biotech Revolution GapSummit at University of Cambridge, UK (GBP150.00) (2014)
• UIUC Grad College Conference Travel Award (USD 250.00) (2012)
• Bioeconomy Conference (Banff, Canada) Travel Fellowship (USD 3650.00) (2012) 

Selected Media Coverage

Related to Cow Dung and Urine

• Times of India - ‘Profiling of cow dung, urine may help in devpt of utility products'.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/profiling-of-cow-dung-urine-may-help-in-devpt-of-utility-products/articleshow/102122327.cms?from=mdr
• ETV Bharat -  IIT-BHU गोबर और गोमूत्र से बढ़ाएगा किसानों की आय, भारत सरकार ने दी जिम्मेदारी  https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttar-pradesh/state/varanasi/iit-bhu-reserch-on-making-products-from-cow-dung-and-urine-government-of-india-taken-initiative-to-increase-income-of-farmers/up20230728200919495495103
• Amar Ujala - किसानों को आर्थिक लाभ दिलाने में उपयोगी गोबर और गोमूत्र https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/cow-dung-and-urine-useful-in-providing-economic-benefits-to-the-farmers-varanasi-news-c-20-vns1013-306090-2023-07-26
• The Financial World - Scientists of BHU-IIT conduct research to get villagers daily products from cow dung  https://www.thefinancialworld.com/scientists-of-bhu-iit-conduct-research-to-get-villagers-daily-products-from-cow-dung-urine
• Anandabazar - গোবর, গোমূত্র থেকে কি শ্যাম্পু, দাঁতের মাজন তৈরি সম্ভব? খতিয়ে দেখছেন আইআইটির গবেষকরা https://www.anandabazar.com/india/iit-bhu-conducts-research-of-cow-dung-and-urine-for-economic-benefit-of-farmers-dgtl/cid/1447932 
• View19 - IIT-BHU scientists engaged in scientific investigation of cow dung and cow urine  https://view19.in/iit-bhu-scientists-engaged-in-scientific-investigation-of-cow-dung-and-cow-urine

Related to Space Research

• IEEE Spectrum - Rocket Fuel from Human Waste. https://spectrum.ieee.org/rocket-fuel-from-human-waste
• Science Daily - Converting human-generated waste into fuel in space. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141125154622.htm
• Phys.Org - New process can convert human-generated waste into fuel in space. https://phys.org/news/2014-11-human-generated-fuel-space.html
• Tech Times - Human Poop-Powered Rocket May Fly Man to the Moon in the Future. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/21099/20141128/human-poop-powered-rocket-may-fly-man-to-the-moon-in-the-future.htm
• Zee News - Researchers develop system that would blast off rockets powered by human waste. https://zeenews.india.com/news/sci-tech/researchers-develop-system-that-would-blast-off-rockets-powered-by-human-waste_1505494.html
• NDTV Gadgets - Scientists Turn Human Waste Into Rocket Fuel. https://gadgets.ndtv.com/science/news/scientists-turn-human-waste-into-rocket-fuel-626724
• DNews/Seeker - Is Human Poop the Ultimate Rocket Fuel? https://www.seeker.com/is-human-poop-the-ultimate-rocket-fuel-1769360609.html#news.discovery.com
• News Wise- UF/IFAS Process Can Convert Human-Generated Waste Into Fuel in Space. https://www.newswise.com/doescience/?article_id=626711&returnurl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3dpc2UuY29tL2FydGljbGVzL2xpc3Q=
• TakePart - NASA’s Poo-Powered Rocket Will Go Where No One Has Gone Before. http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/12/08/nasas-poo-powered-rocket-will-go-where-no-one-has-gone

Professional Memberships

Biochemical Engineering Societies

• Biotech Research Society, India (BRSI), Life Member (LM-2400)
• Biological Engineering Society (BES), Life Member (02076LM003)
• American Society of Microbiology (ASM) 2018
• Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) 2014-15

Chemical Engineering Societies 

• Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Life Member (LM-67267)
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Annual Member (Membership ID: 009902505883)

Agro-Food Technology Societies

• Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Premier Membership-Annual (2022-23)

Environmental Engineering Societies

• Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Annual Member 2009

Engineering Societies

• International Association of Engineers (IAENG), 2020-till date (Membership No. 256930)
• Order of the Engineer (Initiated Fall 2009)

Honor Societies 

• Tau Beta Pi Honor Society (Initiated Spring 2016)
• Alpha Epsilon Honor Society (Initiated Spring 2014)

Societies Related to Space Research

• American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) 2011

Societies Related to Science-Society Interface

• Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), Life Member (Membership No. 22892) 
• Indian Social Science Academy (ISSA), Life Fellow (Membership No. LF/2465/741/2022)
• Mahamana Malaviya Foundation, Varanasi, Life Member

Alumni Associations

•  LIT Alumni Association (LITAA) Life Member

Industry-Academia Interface

• Instructor-in-Charge, Environmental Sampling, and Analytical Methods, Work Integrated Learning Programmes, BITS Pilani (Aug 2020 - Dec 2020)
• Instructor, SEE Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Nagpur, and Kizora Software Pvt. Ltd. Nagpur (Practice School-I, BITS Pilani) (May 2019 - June 2019)
• Project Manager, Innovation Immersion Program (IIP), USA (Jan 2015 - May 2015)
• Senior Consultant, Innovation Immersion Program (IIP), USA (Sept 2014 - Jan 2015)
• Consultant, Illinois Business Consulting (IBC), USA (Aug 2013 - Nov 2013)
• Graduate Hourly, ADM Institute for the Prevention of Post-harvest Loss (ADMI), USA (July 2013 - Aug 2013)
• Graduate Hourly, Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), USA (Feb 2012 - Aug 2012)
• Inplant Trainee, Bhilai Steel Plant, India (Dec 2006 - Jan 2007)

Science-Society Interface

• Idea/Design for “One-step innovative solution for Cleaning and Filtering the still water of Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi” (Aug 2023)

Ph.D.

Ongoing

• Ms. Madhumita Priyadarsini (21011003) (CSIR-SRF) 
• Mr. Kailash Pati Pandey (21011005) (UGC-SRF)
• Mr. Jeetesh Kushwaha (21011007) (TA)
• Ms. Amisha (23011505) (UGC-JRF)

Completed

• Ms. Jyoti Rani (17011002) Thesis Title: "Anaerobic Digestion of Rice Straw" (first author publications as follows)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130010 
  2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129503
  3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-023-10625-3
  4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127662

M.Tech./M.E. Thesis

Ongoing

• Mr. Atith Vidyadhar Chitnis (22012002) (2-Year M.Tech. 2022-24)
  • Publication: Chitnis et al. (2024). Non-sterile cultivation of oleaginous organisms.Trends in Biotechnology (IF: 17.3), TIBTEC2495 (In production)
• Mr. Akash Bhattacharjee (23012005) (2-Year M.Tech. 2023-25) 
• Ms. Unnati Gupta (23012009) (2-Year M.Tech. 2023-25) 

Completed

• Mr. Ankit Kumar (21012005) (2-Year M.Tech. 2021-23) Thesis Title: "Dysbiosis of Microbial Communities: Assessing the Effects of Ofloxacin and Norfloxacin in Anaerobic Digestion" (Currently working with PharmaACE Analytics Pvt. Ltd., Pune for the data analytics profile)
• Mr. Shailendra Prajapati (18014015) (IDD M.Tech. 2022-23) Thesis Title: "Chlorophyll Estimation Using Image Analysis and Effect of Cow Urine on Plant Growth" (Upcoming SDE @ Rakuten)
• Mr. Sagar Anand (18014012) (IDD M.Tech. 2022-23) Thesis Title: "Anaerobic Digestion of Fruit and Vegetables Waste and it’s Implications for Some Biogas Plants in India” 
• Mr. Saswata Acharya (20012002) (2-Year M.Tech. 2020-22) Thesis Title: "Analyzing Milk Foam Using Machine Learning for Diverse Applications". (Currently Graduate Engineering Trainee at LTI - Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Mumbai). Publication: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02379-z
• Mr. Pradeep Fageria (17014010) (IDD M.Tech. 2021-22) Thesis Title: "Analysis of Microbial Flow Cytometery Data from Anaerobic Systems using k-Means Clustering" (currently Backend Software Developer at Calance Software Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram) Publication: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02379-z
• Mr. Babuji Dandigunta (2018H1010027P) (M.E. 2018-20) BITS Pilani Dissertation Title: “Judicious Engineering of Microbiomes for Effective Bioprocess Development and Enhanced Valorization of Agro-Industrial Resources” (Currently pursuing PhD at IIT-Madras) (Publications: 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2021.110509  2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02379-z

Other

• Mr. Vashishtha Patel (2019H1010005P) (M.E. 2019-21) BITS Pilani, Topic: "Applications of Enzyme Immobilization on Hollow Fiber Membrane for Food Processing" (Guided as a supervisor from August 2020 - Dec 2020) (handed over to co-supervisor on account of resignation at BITS Pilani) Publication:  https://doi.org/10.1111/1750‐3841.16233
• Mr. Aditya Narayanan (2019H1010504P) (M.E. 2019-21) BITS Pilani Topic: “Novel Approaches for Revamping Anaerobic Digestion Technology in Resource Constrained Systems" (Guided as a supervisor from August 2020 - Dec 2020) (handed over to other faculty on account of resignation at BITS Pilani)

Undergraduate Thesis

Completed

• Mr. Debshankar Ghosh (2016A1TS0559P) (BITS Pilani off-campus) (Supervisor: Dr. Joshua R. Brinkerhoff, University of British Columbia, Canada) (2019-20, Sem-II) Thesis Title: "Numerical Investigation of Steady and Pulsatile Flow in Model Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm" (Currently: Pursuing MS at UBC, Canada)
• Mr. Sanchit Bajaj (2015B1A10540P)  (BITS Pilani 2019-20, Sem-I) Thesis Title: “Applications of Machine Learning in Chemical and Biosystems Engineering” (Currently: Civil Services Aspirant)
• Mr. Ashwin S. Sudarshan (2016A1TS0383P) (BITS Pilani off-campus) (Supervisor: Dr. Sanjay Swarup, NUS Singapore) (2019-20, Sem-I) Thesis Title: "Data Mining and Data Analytics for Microbiomes" (Currently: Research Assistant at NUS, Singapore)

Undergraduate Projects

• Several ug projects both at IIT (BHU) Varanasi and BITS Pilani

Training/Internships

• Several training/internship students from various institutes in India

Project Staff

• Mr. Yashpal Singh (Staff ID: 121) (NET/GATE Qualified) (JRF on DST SUTRA-PIC Project) (contributed to ongoing project on the uniqueness of indigenous cows)