Contact me to find out more about PhD and postdoctoral positions. If you are motivated, independent, have research experience and are interested in pursuing a graduate degree with a focus on invasive weed ecology, plant - nematode interaction or biorational management of pest and diseases, send an email with your CV and a description of your interests. NET or GATE qualified students will be preferred. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
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CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
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Sandip Mondal
Email: sandipmondal760@gmail.com
I have done both my graduation (Agricultural Science) and masters (Agricultural Entomology) from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia. I joined Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih in Aug 2015 as Junior Research Fellow. Currently, I am in the final year of my PhD as Senior Research Fellow. The title of my PhD dissertation is “Meloidogyne graminicola infestation in rice in Jharkhand: spatial distribution, host plant resistance and pathogenic variability”. My primary research focus is on the understanding of spatial distribution pattern of nematodes in rice agro-ecosystem, Interaction between rice and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) and eco-friendly nematode management options using vermicompost and biochar. The overarching goal of my research programme is to generate sustainable cost effective management options for this important nematode. I also love coding in R for statistical analysis and collaborate with my peers. Apart from my research work, I love to play badminton and table tennis.
Tapodhara Dutta Majumdar
I have completed my Graduate and Post-graduate from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata in Biotechnology. I am a Research Scholar working at Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih and also in Jadavpur University. I have submitted my thesis and am awaiting defense. My work is entitled, ‘In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of copper nanoparticles against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and effects on rice metabolism’. The research mainly focuses on the application of nanoparticles as antibacterial/ antifungal agent against agricultural pests, primarily against rice pests and benchmarking it for future commercialization. For achieving the purpose, I carried out both in vitro and in vivo applications of nanoparticles against rice pests, mainly Xanthomonas oryzae causing Bacterial Leaf Blight in rice. Besides demonstrating the pesticidal activity, I also studied the effect of the nanoparticles on plant metabolism. I love collaborating and exchanging scientific thoughts with other delegates of my field. Apart from research I love reading, travelling, music and writing blogs.
Pranamita Kunda
Email: pranamita.kunda@gmail.com
I have pursued both my graduation and post-graduation from the University of Calcutta in Botany. Currently, I am working as a UGC-SRF in Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih and also in Jadavpur University. The title of my ongoing thesis is “Rice bacterial endophytes : diversity and their role in managing abiotic and biotic stress”. My work is mainly focused on studying the diversity of bacterial endophytes of rice cultivated throughout the state of West Bengal as well as characterizing and implementing them in ameliorating abiotic stress (mainly salinity) and biotic stress (against two pathogens, Xanthomonas oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani) in rice plants. The broader aim of my work is to decode the mechanism of plant-microbe interaction, to understand the mode of action of microbes in amending stress. Apart from doing research, I love baking, reading, music and travelling.
Saibal Ghosh
Email: ghosh.saibal.1989@gmail.com
I have obtained both of my Bachelors (Biotechnology), 2011 and Masters (Genetic engineering), 2013 degrees from the Institute of Genetic Engineering. I joined the lab in 2015 as a research fellow. Currently, I am in the final year of the PhD programme. The title of my Ph.D. dissertation is “Isolation and characterization of potassium solubilising bacteria from mica contaminated soil in Giridih district, Jharkhand; development of biofertilizer and its efficacy in crop production”. The broad aim of my dissertation research work is to reduce the use of environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers and to introduce alternative management options by applying microbial biofertilizers to a great extent. In addition to my research work, I love physical activities like weight lifting and bodybuilding.
Suvasri Dutta
Email: suvasri1995@gmail.com
I have done my graduation in Biochemistry and post-graduation in Agricultural Biotechnology. I joined the Indian Statistical Institute as a Junior Research Fellow in July 2019. Currently, I am in the second year of my PhD work. I am broadly interested in agricultural microbiology and biotechnology. My PhD work is based on the endophytic fungal community and their interaction with root knot nematode. The overarching goal of my research to develop an eco-friendly technology for the management of this important pest of rice.
Mala Thapa
Email: malathapa1@gmail.com
I have pursued both my Bachelors and Masters in Botany from University of Calcutta. I joined the lab in 2015 as a research scholar and I am interested in plant-nanoparticles interactions. My research involves synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and investing the mechanism of uptake, translocation and desorption behavior of nanoparticles inside the plant cells. I am also interested to see the effects of nanoparticles on soil microbiota. Apart from research I love reading, cooking, music and travelling.
Panchanan Sahoo
Email: panchanan.phys@gmail.com
I have completed my Bachelor and Master degree in Physics from Midnapore College (Autonomous) affiliated to the Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal. Currently I am working as DST-INSPIRE-SRF in Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih (AERU) and also in Jadavpur University (School of Materials Science and Nanotechnology) on a topic entitled as “Development of novel multilevel theranostic nanocomposite and its atomistic modelling of mechanism”. The primary focus of my research is on the development of a magnetic nanocomposite having potential on therapeutics (photothermal and photodynamic therapy), Imaging (MRI, CT, UCL etc.) used for cancer treatment. The broad area of my research is based on structural and optical characterization of nanoparticle, variation of ROS generation and scavenging activity, variation of spin lattice relaxivity (r1) and spin spin relaxivity (r2) used for MRI, anticancerous activity against breast cancer cell. Behind all of this, we are also looking to investigate antimicrobial activity of our synthesized nanoparticle against different pathogen. Apart from research work I love to watch cricket, movies and reading books.
Jyoti J. Prajapati
Email: prajapatijyoti23@gmail.com
I have joined Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih (AERU) in Sep 2021 as a Project Linked Person. I received my Masters in Engineering Mathematics from ICT, Mumbai and Bachelors in Statistics from Mithibai College, Mumbai. My Masters Project entitled “Species Distribution Modelling Using Python: A Case Study Using Mikania Micrantha Kunth” was very well received in our department and I was awarded the UDCT Alumni Association fellowship. I have two years of research experience in the field of Species Distribution Modelling to be applied on Invasive Alien Plants. I have co-authored a journal article with Dr. Abhishek Mukherjee, Dr. Amiya R. Bhowmick and Dr. Achyut Kumar Banerjee and currently working with them to identify the potential plant invasion hotspot in India. I won the first prize in oral presentation in the India Biodiversity Meet 2019 Conference, ISI Kolkata. I have a keen interest in nature. I love gardening and enjoy playing table tennis, badminton, cricket, basketball and football. I am a sports girl!!!
Sristi Das
Email: sristidas.4102@gmail.com
I have obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Botany from Lady Brabourne College under University of Calcutta in 2018 and Master’s degree (Botany) in 2020 from University of Calcutta. For my M.Sc. dissertation, I have performed a study on phytochemical and cytotoxic aspects of a macrofungus, ‘Ganoderma’, entitled ‘Health benefits of Ganoderma tea: A comparative approach between six Ganoderma species’.
I have joined the Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit of ISI Giridih as Junior Research Fellow in August 2022. My work is focused on study of chitin degrading bacteria and fungi from soil and water sources and their potential application in biocontrol. My hobbies include reading, music and watching soccer.
Shreeya Purkait
Email: shreeyapurkait98@gmail.com
I am a research scholar at the Indian Statistical Institute, working in collaboration with Jadavpur University. My research focuses on developing innovative nanoparticle-mediated strategies to improve plant stress tolerance and productivity. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Botany from Dinabandhu Andrews College and my Master’s degree in Botany from Diamond Harbour Women’s University. I am originally from Diamond Harbour, West Bengal.
My current research explores the application of nanotechnology to mitigate drought stress in rice plants. After taking care of my stressed plants in the laboratory, I love to travel and explore new places.
Sayantika Chakraborty
Email: sayantika.ch1@gmail.com
I completed my graduation in Zoology from Netaji Nagar College for Women in 2021 and my Master’s degree in Zoology from Dinabandhu Andrews College in 2023. Both colleges are affiliated with the University of Calcutta. I joined the ISI Giridih laboratory in 2024 as an ISI-JRF. Currently, I am in the second year of my Ph.D., working on the chemical ecology of plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) embryogenesis.
Broadly, my research focuses on how plant-derived chemicals modulate hatching rate and embryonic development in PPNs, and how this knowledge can be applied for early-stage nematode management. Apart from research, I enjoy watching sports, playing badminton, spending time on art and craft, and travelling.
Joydeep Das
Email: joydeep22302@gmail.com
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Asutosh College (2019–22) and subsequently my Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Ballygunge Science College, University of Calcutta (2022–24) securing the position of First Class First in my Master’s program. I have also qualified both the UGC NET (LS) and WBSET in Environmental Science.
I joined the Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit of Indian Statistical Institute as a Junior Research Fellow in August 2025. My work focuses on the diversity and functional roles of microbiomes associated with root-knot nematodes and their role in pathogenesis and biological control