Principal Investigator

Prof. Amirul I. Mallick, DVM, PhD

Dr. Mallick is a Professor at the Dept of Biological Sciences, IISER Kolkata. He received his Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology from Aligarh Muslim University, India in 2008.
His research interest is primarily focused on understanding the mechanism of molecular components involved in host-pathogen interaction as an important step toward developing effective control measures against emerging pathogens.
Mucosal surfaces are the primary entry portals for many pathogens and possess a unique immune system that tightly controls the balance between responsiveness (immunity) and non-responsiveness (tolerance). To this end, his research group focuses on studying the role of virulence repertories of emerging mucosal pathogens such as the Influenza virus and Campylobacter jejuni in modulating host responses and exploring their potential as future vaccine candidates.

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PhD Scholars

Dr. Chandan Gorain (PhD-2024)

PhD research topic: Studying the functionality of Bacterial Surface Exposed Colonization Protiens (SECPs) to extrapolate their potential as mucosal vaccine against Campylobacter jejuni.

Publication: Vaccine, 2020; Gut Pathogens, 2021; Int. Jn. of Biol. Macro, 2024

Dr. Subhadeep Gupta (PhD-2024)

PhD research topic: Understanding the role of bacterial Type Six Secretion System (T6SS) associated functional proteins in host pathogenicity and self survival.

Publication: Applied Nanoscience, 2021; iScience, 2021; STAR Protocols, 2022; Jn of Med. Chemistry; Gut Pathogens, 2024.

Sucharita Bhowmick (PhD, 2025)

PhD research topic: Studying the Immunotherapeutic Potential of Chicken Interleukin-17A (ChIL-17A) against Influenza Type A Virus (IAV) Infections

Publication: Molecular Immunology, 2021; Small, 2024; ACS Inf Dis, 2024

Afruja Khan (PhD, 2025)

PhD research topic: Naturally Secreted Outer Membrane Vesicles of Campylobacter jejuni: Role in Host-Microbe Interaction and Vaccine Perspectives.

Publication: ACS Infectious Diseases, 2021 and 2023.

Aparna Varma (CSIR-SRF; 2020-)

PhD research topic: Interferon (Type III)-armed Immune-based Prophylactic Approaches against Emerging Respiratory Viruses.

Publication: The Microbe, 2023; Gut Pathogens, 2023.

Prakash Biswas (CSIR-SRF; 2021-)

PhD research topic: Understanding the role of bacterial adhesion in differential host responses and beyond

Publication: ACS Biomaterails Sci and Engineering, 2024

Sushmita Das (CSIR-SRF;2021-)

PhD research topic: Bioengineering Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles (BEVs) as a multifunctional oral delivery platform for biomedical applications.

Publication:

Sandeep Yadav(PhD SRF;2022-)

PhD research topic: Functional interplay between Type III INFs and Type A influenza A Virus-infection

Publication: Gut Pathogens, 2023; Small, 2025

Sakil Ahmed (UGC-JRF;2024-)

PhD research topic:

Publication:

Subham Yadav (iPhD-IISERK)(2024-)

Research topic: Understanding the molecular association of host factors in regulating Influenza Type A virus (IAV) replication

Publication:

Subham Saha (PhD student, CSIR JRF)(2024 Aug-)

Research topic: Understanding the role of secretomics in pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Publication:

Former members

Aparna OM (BS-MS, 2022)

Current Position: Graduate student at MCDB program at the Ohio State University, USA (2023-)

Dr. Ankita Singh (Ph.D. 2015-2020)

Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States.

Dr. Aritraa Lahiri (Ph.D. 2015-2020)

Current Position: Grant Advisor, DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance

Dr. Sudipta Bhattacharyya, PhD (CSIR-RA-2018)

Current Position: Research Scientist, PI Industries Ltd., Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Mr. Avinash Sharma, MS student (2015-2017)

Current Position: Ph.D. Scholar at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Israel.

Kairun Nisaa, MS student (2015-2017)

Current Position: Ph.D. Scholar at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Israel.

Saranya E, BS-MS student (2016)

Current Position: Ph.D. from Department of Clinical Medicine, iNANO associated Bartholins, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Smarpita Gayen, BS-MS student (2015)