About

Professor, Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Microbial Genomics and Metagenomics · Geomicrobiology · Deep Biosphere · Bioremediation · Astrobiology

Deep Life: microbial life within the deep, hot, terrestrial subsurface
Carbon and energy metabolism in extreme and oligotrophic deep subsurface; Acetogenesis
Isolation and characterization of extremophilic microorganisms from deep terrestrial subsurface
Microbial biodegradation of plastics and bioremediation of landfill waste
Microbial ecology of arsenic-contaminated soil and groundwater systems
Impact of amines used in carbon capture technology on terrestrial and aquatic microbial communities

2018–present — Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
2011–2018 — Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
2007–2008 — BOYSCAST Fellow, Rice University, Houston, USA
2004–2011 — Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
2002–2004 — Lecturer, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India
2000–2002 — Dr. K. S. Krishnan Research Associate, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India

Fellow of West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology (2020)
Open Competitive Seed Challenge Grant (SGBSI), IIT Kharagpur — for setting up NGS genome sequencing facility (2016)
Census of Deep Life (CoDL), Deep Carbon Observatory, USA — metagenome sequencing award (2016)
Rapid Grant for Young Investigator, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (2007)
BOYSCAST Fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (2006)
Young Scientist Award, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India (2003)
Fast Track Award, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (2003)
Dr. K. S. Krishnan Research Associateship, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India (2000)
Senior Research Fellowship (Extended), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Doctoral Research Fellowship, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (1994–1999)
National Merit Scholarship, B.Sc. (1993)

Total publications: 99 · Total citations: 3,745 · h-index: 34 (Google Scholar)

Carbon and energy metabolisms of deep life within the granitic basement of Koyna seismogenic zone — Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India (2022–2025). PI
CO₂ fixation by chemoautotrophic microbial communities from deep subsurface rocks for application in third-generation biorefineries — DST-SERB, Govt. of India (2022–2025). PI
Understanding landfill microbiome and application for bioremediation of environmental pollutants — Tata Consultancy Services (2018–2023). PI
Understanding structure, function and evolution of regulatory networks with emphasis on human diseases — Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (2022–2027). Co-PI
Sustainable operation of post-combustion capture plants — Department of Science and Technology (2021–2024). Co-PI

Microbiology of deep granitic subsurface of Koyna-Warna region — Ministry of Earth Sciences (2017–2020). ₹1,12,88,000. PI
Geomicrobiology of arsenic-contaminated aquifer of Bengal basin — IIT Kharagpur Institute Challenge Grant (2016–2019). ₹1,00,00,000. PI
Microbiology of arsenic-contaminated groundwater of Bengal delta plain — DST, Govt. of India (2016–2019). ₹41,25,521. PI
Geomicrobiology of deep subsurface, Koyna-Warna region — Ministry of Earth Sciences (2014–2017). ₹22,34,950. PI
Microbial diversity in acid mine drainage, Malanjkhand — Department of Biotechnology (2013–2016). ₹45,98,600. PI
Microbial diversity and bioremediation potential in petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated environments, Assam — Department of Biotechnology (2012–2015). ₹15,00,000. PI
Baseline survey of microbial community at uranium mine sites, UCIL Jaduguda — Department of Atomic Energy (2006–2011). ₹52,22,000. PI

Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) — Life Member
Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI) — Life Member
Research Monitoring Committee, Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), Govt. of J&K