Applied Microbiology

Professor, MD, PhD, Lia Monica Junie, from the Microbiology Department of “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She is head of the Department, coordinating also, the activities of both Laboratory Medicine specialty resident doctors and PhD doctor’s thesis in the medicine field. She unfolds a fruitful National and International scientific activity as an experienced microbiologist, having an impressive CV. She is Member in the Board of Scientific Societies, Reviewer in many peer-reviewed journals, Expert of the Ministry of Education and Research and Evaluator. She coordinated research projects, published books and more than 200 scientific articles in prestigious Journals. She organized and attended numerous national, international congresses, as president, member in the Organizing Committees, Invited speaker, Keynote speaker or Chairperson.

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

Terry Hazen is an environmental biologist specializing in bioremediation and bioenergy. Hazen’s research focuses on how naturally occurring bacteria can sometimes break down and detoxify hazardous materials. He is also working with a team of researchers who have developed a method of using bacteria to help test for the presence of a wide array of pollutants. Hazen holds a joint appointment with the College of Engineering’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the College of Arts and Sciences’ departments of Microbiology and Earth and Planetary Sciences. He is also director of the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE). Plus, he works closely with the UT-ORNL Joint Institute for Biological Sciences and the Center for Environmental Biotechnology.

Environmental Microbiology

Prof Sanguinetti is currently the director of Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy. He is an extraordinary professor working on a diversified group of fungi and fungal infections like keratitis, histoplasmosis etc. Apart from this, his research is also focussed on other major bacterial and viral diseases.

Mycology, Bacteriology, Virology

Prof. Paul M. Tulkens, MD, PhD serves as Academic Advisor at Achaogen, Inc. He served as Advisor and Consultant of SelectX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He started his scientific career as a cell biologist and biochemist working in the laboratory of Prof. C. de Duve, Nobel Laureate, where he made significant contributions to understanding of membrane movements during endocytosis, including receptor recycling, and in the development of models of acquired lysosomal storage disorders. He then moved to the study of the cellular and renal toxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics, the mechanism of which he greatly contributed to decipher and for which he pioneered in reducing the clinical impact by promoting the now widely used once-daily dosing approach. From then on, he expanded his studies on antibiotics (macrolides, fluroquinolones) and intracellular infections (mainly S. aureus but more recently also P. aeruginosa). He also developed the science of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics for optimising the use of antibiotics. He was amongst the founding members and was President of the International Society of Antiinfective Pharmacology. He is a Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universite Catholique de Louvain. Until 2010, he was full professor of Pharmacology and Drug Development at the French speaking Catholic University of Louvain (Brussels, Belgium) and professor of Human Biochemistry and Biochemical Pathology at the University of Mons (Mons, Belgium). He is an invited and emeritus professor of medicine and pharmacy departments at Universite catholique de Lovain, Belgium. He has published more than 230 scientific papers and continues, with his laboratory, to develop basic and applied approaches to the study of antibiotics and bacterial infections. He serves as a Member of Clinical Advisory Board of Kenta Biotech Ltd. Dr. Tulkens studied at Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.

Pathophysiology of lysosomes, Antibiotic toxicity, Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, Bacterial Persistence, Biofilms, Intracellular Infections

Provorov Nikolai completed his PhD at the age of 26 from All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology. He is the deputy director in research of All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology. Provorov Nikolai published over 20 papers in reputed international journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of international journal Annals of Applied Biology. The scope of his expertize includes: evolutionary genetics of symbiosis, mathematical simulation of population dynamics, genetic construction of symbiotically active microbes.

Agricultural Microbiology

Marco Manfredi MD, PhD, pediatrician and gastroenterologist, carried out his education at Parma University where completed his PhD in Pediatric Gastroenterology in 2004. Currently he is working as Manager of Pediatric Emergency and Assistant Manager in Pediatric Gastroenterology at “Pietro Barilla” Children's Hospital in Parma, Italy. His main fields of interests are Helicobacter pylori infection, coeliac disease, gastrointestinal infectious diseases, and probiotics. Dr Manfredi published more than 70 papers, included chapters of textbooks. He is editor of three textbooks on “Helicobacter pylori infection”, “Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Children” and “Probiotics in Children” all published by Nova Science Publishers, New York, USA. He is serving as an editorial board member of several reputed journal like “Clinical Microbiology: open access” and “Frontiers in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology” and expert reviewer for BMC Gastroenterology, Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, BMC Case Reports. He is a member of Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP).

Helicobacter pylori infection, coeliac disease, gastrointestinal infectious diseases, and probiotics

Lynne Garcia is currently serving as the director for LSG and Associates at Santa Monica, California which offers consulting, teaching and training services. She has delivered more than 350 oral presentations at various conferences and her work has been published in over 175 peer-reviewed journals. She is an editorial board member for 11 journals. She has received many awards and honors from well-known, reputed societies and organizations.

Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology.

I am researcher from Federal University of Sergipe/Brazil. I concluded my PhD in 2013 and my research line is about human papillomavirus infeccion in women and male partners. I published papers in reputed journals. My technical production is available in: http://lattes.cnpq.br/5891504776117256

HPV

Dr. Choudhary received his PhD from McMaster University and later joined Duke University for his post-doctoral research. He is currently associated with Sam Houston State University as an Associate Professor in the department of Biological Sciences. His research interests are in bacterial cell-cycle regulation, role of gene duplication in metabolic innovations, and evolution of genomic complexity in prokaryotes. Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a member of alpha-3 Proteobacteria, is used as a model organism for these investigations in his laboratory.

Microbial Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics

Hoongmin Qin, PhD, carried out her education at Shandong University, China and attained PhD from The Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China in 1999. Currently, she is working as associate professor in Texas A&M University, USA. Research in her lab is focussed on simple eukaryotic microorganism Chlamydomonas to understand the assembly of cilium, which has been implicated in a wide spectrum of human diseases. Her interests also include conceptual frameworks that govern organelle biogenesis and the corresponding regulations. Being selected as a TAMU nominee for Searle Scholar Program in 2004 and attaining polycystic kidney disease foundation post-doctoral fellowship in 2002 is a part of her significant professional activities. Dr. Qin has around 25 peer-reviewed publications in international journals

Chlamydomonas, Cilium biogenesis

Dr. Nielsen received her doctorate from North Carolina State University in 2001. Later, she joined University of Minnesota as Assistant Professor and is currently working there as an associate professor of microbiology. Her research interests include fungal infectious diseases. Her laboratory is focussed on studies of Cryptococcus neoformans. It is an opportunistic human pathogenic fungus that causes cryptococcosis, which commonly presents as a disseminated meningoencephalitis that is universally fatal if untreated. An integral and defining feature of cryptococcosis is the ability of C. neoformans to cross the blood-brain barrier. In recent years the process of C. neoformans entry into the central nervous system (CNS) has begun to be elucidated, but the methods by which C. neoformansinduces these processes remains unknown. If the mechanisms by which C. neoformans crosses the blood-brain barrier can be identified and characterized, treatment strategies can be designed to reduce C. neoformans entry into the CNS to alleviate disease symptoms and permit increased exposure to antifungal drugs. Her work has been published in many peer-reviewed international journals.

Cryptococcus neoformans and CNS disorders

Shambhu Kumar, a Fungal taxonomist, did his Ph.D. in Botany (Fungal taxonomy) from the DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur in 2010. He has awarded Junior Research Fellow in November 2010 by the Botanical Survey of India. He has joined the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in May 2011. He was awarded Young Scientist by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India in September 2013 and presently working as Young Scientist in the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, India. He has published thirty five research papers related to diversity and taxonomy of foliicolous fungi in peer reviewed and reputed International and National Journals. He has attended and presented papers in several National and International symposia/conferences and acquired six National training /workshops on Biodiversity and molecular taxonomy. He is a member of the International Society for Fungal Conservation (ISFC), UK and Life member of the Mycological Society of India, Chennai; Society for Basic and Applied Mycology, Jabalpur, India and Annual member of the Indian Phytopathological Society, IARI, New Delhi as well as an Indian Botanical Society. He is an Editorial member of the Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, American Journal of Agricultural Science and also a potential reviewer of Mycotaxon, Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, American Journal of Agricultural Science and Premier Publication.

Fungal Taxonomy

Professor Rajinder S. Ranu received his DVM from Panjab University, India and a M.S. & Ph.D in Microbiology from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia USA. After a Special Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Biochemistry Department at The University of Chicago School of Medicine, he moved to Cambridge as a member of the Harvard University-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Program in Health Sciences and Technology at MIT. After five years, he then moved to Colorado State University as a faculty member (Associate Professor, Professor and Professor Emeritus) of Cell & Molecular Biology/Genetics/Microbiology/Plant Pathology. He has extensively published on Molecular Biology of protein synthesis/translational regulation of gene expression/gene cloning/DNA sequencing/genomics in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. His publications record represent the best: from eleven papers in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and others in Nature, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Bacteriology, Journal of General of General Microbiology etc. Through citation analysis, The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Philadelphia has determined that ‘Dr. Ranu’s work is highly cited and important to the concept’; some of his work now forms a part of the text books of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Genetics/Cell Biology.

Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Pathology

Abd El Aziz Nour has completed his PhD in rumen microbiology 1976 from Alexandria University. He worked at Alexandria University as Demonstrator (1976-1981), Associate Professor (1981-1986), Professor (1986-2007), head of the Department of Animal and Fish Production (1999-2002) and Emeritus professor (2007 till now). As recognized leader in his field, he has an extended list of more than 230 publications in international and local Journals and conferences focus on :- 1- manipulation of rumen fermentation for microbial protein synthesis, 2-evaluation of aquatic microalgae as a natural food for filter feeding fish,3-biofloc technology in intensive tilapia farming, and 4-culture of marine microalgae for biofuel production.

Rumen Microbiology

Dilek Heperkan has completed her Ph.D. in 1986 from Egean University, Turkey. She worked as a researcher for 10 years in TUBITAK, National Scientific and Research Institute. She participated as a member of World Working Party of Mycotoxin (2002-2007). She worked as a visiting scientist in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Netherland and United Kingdom. She also worked for sabbatical in the USA in 2001. She also visited Universite de Vigo, Spain and gave lectures by Erasmus Programme in 2007. She organized a number of national and internatiol meetings. Recently, she organized 23rd International FoodMicro 2012 Congress together with ICFMH. She is currently working as a full time Professor in Istanbul Technical University, Food Engineering Department.

Food Engineering, Food Microbiology

Massimo Ciccozzi is currently associated with Istituto Superiore di Sanit, Italy. His/Her research interests include: Influenza, Virology, public health, Virus, infectious Diseases, and Infection. His/Her international experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries for diverse fields of study. His research interest reflects in his publications in various national and international journals.

Influenza, Virology, public health, Virus, infectious Diseases, and Infection

C. A. Guzman graduated in Medicine and become Board Certified in Medical Bacteriology in Argentina. Later, he graduated as Doctor of Medicine and Surgery and obtained his Doctorate in Microbiological Sciences (University Genoa, Italy). In 1994 he became Head of the Vaccine Group (German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Germany). In 2005 he was appointed Head of the Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology (HZI), becoming later also APL-Professor at the Medical School and Member of the Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (Hannover). His work was instrumental for developing new adjuvants and antigen delivery systems, leading to more than 200 publications.

Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology

Joachim Wink studied biology at Frankfurt University and obtained his PhD at the institute of molecular biology in 1985 on “Modifications of the protein pattern of Bacillus subtilis during sporulation”. In the same year he moved to the Höchst AG where he started his business career in the core research functions, department of biotechnology as head of a laboratory. From 1992 to 2012 he continued his worked in the pharmaceutical research of the Höchst AG and its following companies Aventis and Sanofi. During these more than 27 years in the industry he was responsible for the microbial strain collection in natural product research and was specialized in isolation, cultivation and characterization of Actinobacteria and Myxobacteria. In 2004 he completed his habilitation dissertation at the Technische Universität Braunschweig on “The taxonomy of secondary metabolite producing Actinomycetes” in cooperation with the DSMZ. Since 2012 Joachim Wink is doing his research at the HZI and in 2013 he became head of the new work group microbial strain collection, he also holds lectures at the TU Braunschweig in biology of metabolite producing microorganisms.

microbial strain collection

Dr. Kathrin I. Mohr studied biology at the TU Braunschweig. During her postdoctoral time she investigated the “Biodiversity of algae and cyanobacteria in calcifying biofilms” and “in soil crusts from Namibia and South Africa” at the University of Göttingen. Since 2009 she works as a scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, department Microbial Drugs, Braunschweig. Her main focus is set on the isolation of myxobacteria and their screen and enhancement of production of new and known secondary metabolites. She is author and co-author of about 30 papers in reputed journals.

My main focus is set on the detection and increase in production of new bacterial secondary metabolites. From our huge collection of gliding bacteria (particularly myxobacteria; see working group “Microbial Strain Collection”), strains showing bioactivity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, fungi or cell lines are selected for further investigation. But also new metabolites which do not show bioactivity in our internal test panel are of interest, because all new compounds are introduced in diverse test systems of numerous co-operation partners. Here formerly inactive substances can turn out to be a “hit”. By nature, production of secondary metabolites is often not sufficient. Higher yields of the desired compounds can be obtained by regulation of biotic and abiotic parameters like carbon or nitrogen sources, oxygen-concentration, temperature or pH etc. Furthermore, various parameters need to be optimized while upscale of the production cultures from shake flasks (100 ml) to fermenter (up to 1000 liter). Another objective of my work is the isolation of new myxobacterial strains. Soil samples from all over the world and from diverse habitats (sampled in consideration of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992) are suitable to isolate myxobacteria. With different isolation techniques, it is possible to isolate new myxobacteria representing novel taxa, which are in particular promising sources of new metabolites.

Patrick Fickers obtained a PhD from University of Liège (Belgium) in 2004. He worked as Post-doc at Polytech’Lille (France) and as a FNRS fellow at the Centre of Protein Engineering (Liege, Belgium). Between 2009 and 2014, he was an Associated Professor at Unversité libre de Bruxelles and the Head of the Biotechnology and Bioprocess Unit. In January 2015, he joined as a Professor the Microbial Processes and Interactions research unit (MiPI) at Gembloux AgroBiotech (Univerity of Liège). He has published 37 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and six book chapters. His researches focus on the development of yeast and bacterial strains by metabolic engineering and on process development in bioreactor for the production of valuable compounds.

Microbial Processes and Interactions

Svetlana Ermolaeva has completed her PhD from Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology where at present she leads a lab. She performed Postdoctoral studies at Complutense University of Madrid and University of Leon. She is a member of Director Board of International Society for Plasma Medicine. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and serving as an Editorial Board Member and a reviewer of about 10 repute journals.

Epidemology, Microbiology

Bruca Maria Isabel has completed her PhD from Buenos Aires a University and postdoctoral studies from Abierta Interamericana University School of Medicineand from Catholic University. She is the coordinator in investigation group of Abierta Interamericana University, and Professor in Buenos Aires University and Abierta Interamericana University .She has published more than 14 papers in reputed journals.

Infection, Diagnosis, Treatment

Professor Ludmila Viksna is one of the most experienced experts in Infectology and Hepatology in Latvia. She is Chief Specialist of Infectology in Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Chief Infectologist of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia, Head of the Department of Infectology and Dermatology in Riga Stradins University, Corresponding Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences and President of Association of Infectologists and Hepatologists of Latvia. Professor L.Viksna is the author of 5 books, more than 300 publications and she holds 15 patents.

Infectious Diseases

Barakat is an Assistant Professor at the school of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta, Canada. His research stands at the multidisciplinary interface of physics, biology and computer science. Barakat’s major focus is on developing and applying state-of-the-art computational drug discovery tools to discover new antiviral and immunotherapeutic drugs. Barakat has made great contributions in understanding the nature and biophysical processes underlying protein–drug, protein–protein and drug off-target interactions and predicting drug-mediated toxicity. He also received numerous awards including the CIHR and AIHS postdoctoral fellowships, the prestigious University of Alberta dissertation award and many distinction awards throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies. Dr. Barakat is also the editor of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems and serves as a guest reviewer for several journals.

Dr. Barakat’s major focus is on developing and applying state-of-the-art computational drug discovery tools to discover new antiviral and immunotherapeutic drugs.

Patricia Poeta, is Full Professor at UTAD, Portugal. PhD in Veterinary Medicine and specialist in Medical Microbiology. Coordinator of the Research Group of Antibiotic resistance and head of Medical Microbiology Laboratory. Director of several doctoral and masters’ theses. Also responsible for research projects funded by private companies and inter-university projects, teaches International courses and Master’s degree. Has published more than 100 articles in journals from the SCI, book chapters, communications at international scientific meetings. Received 16 awards.

Medical Microbiology

He is a graduate at Biology from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1983), master's at Microbiologia from Universidade de São Paulo (1988) and PhD at Molecula Biology from Rijksuniversiteit Gent (1994). He has experience in Genetics, acting on the following subjects: Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)

Molecular Biology, Fungal Genetics, Microbiology

W. VERSTRAETE is born on April 25, 1946 in Beernem (Belgium). He graduated in 1968 from the Gent University as bio-engineer. He followed a summer course on Soil Microbiology at the Pasteur Institute of Paris. In 1971, he obtained a Ph D degree in the field of microbiology at the Cornell University, Ithaca (USA). Since 1971, he works at the Gent University, first as assistant and since 1979 as professor and head of the Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET - Faculty of Bioscience Engineering). His R & D has a central theme: processes mediated by microbial mixed cultures. His team deals with microbial transformations in waters and soils and the gastro-intestinal tract. A variety of biotechnological processes, based on microbial consortia, are subject to R&D at LabMET.

Microbial Ecology and Technology

Alexander Rapoport graduated Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia. The degree of PhD in Biology got at the Latvian Academy of Sciences, degree of DSc in Biology at Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of USSR (Moscow), degree of Dr. hab. biol. at Latvian Council of Science. He is Corresponding Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences. Alexander Rapoport worked at Institute of Microbiology, Latvian Academy of Science and now works at the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia. He is the Head of the Laboratory of Cell Biology. Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology at University of Latvia. He has published about 210 papers. Main directions of his investigations are linked with physiology, cytology, biochemistry and biotechnology of microorganisms, dehydration and other stress treatments upon microorganisms and especially yeasts. He has revealed the main changes which take place in the cells at their transfer into the state of anhydrobiosis, the main factors which are important for the maintenance of viability of cells, a number of earlier unknown intracellular protective reactions.

Microbiology and Biotechnology

Sevgi Ciftci is the Associate Professor at the the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Turkey. Dr. Sevgi Ciftci obtained her BA in department of the medical biological sciences in Faculty of Medicine from the Dokuz Eylül University at Izmir- Turkey, and her PhD in Microbiology from the Medical Faculty of Istanbul University at Istanbul, in 2003.

Virology, Microbiology

Prof. Dr. Ajit Varma Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology (Amity University Uttar Pradesh) & Vice Chairman, Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation Chair, Faculty Research Committee (FRC), Biosciences & Biotechnology Amity Campus, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail: [email protected] Qualification: M.Sc. (1959), Ph. D. (1964), Allahabad University, Allahabad, India Professional Experience  Microbiologist (Assistant Professor) IARI, New Delhi 1963-1971  Senior Microbiologist (Associate Professor) IARI, New Delhi 1971-1974  Associate Professor, JNU, New Delhi 1975-1984  Professor, JNU, New Delhi 1985-2004  Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology (Amity University), Noida (adjacent to Delhi); since September 2004  Director, Rootonic Pvt Ltd Delhi (since 2012)  Board of Directors, Prathista Industries Limited, Secunderabad (since 2013) Visiting Professorship & Visiting Research Scientist  Technical University, Graz (Austria)  University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen (Germany)  Friedrich Schiller University, Jena (Germany)  Philipps University, Marburg (Germany)  Technical University, Muenchen (Germany)  Kingstan, Jamaica  Max Planck Visiting Professorship (Germany)  Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (China)  HelmholtzZentrum, Muenchen (Germany)  Gutenberg University, Mainz (Germany)  CSIC, Madrid (Spain)  University of Dundee (Scotland)  University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)  ICGEB (Italy)  Adjunct Professor, National Mandela University of Science & Tech (Tanzania) Awards & Recognition:  Commonwealth Fellowship (Australia)  National Research Council (Canada)  Alexander von-Humboldt Foundation (Germany)  National Science Foundation (USA)  Indo-Czechoslovakia Exchange Programme (Prague)  DAAD Fellowship (Germany)  Deutsches BMFT Programme, George-August University, Gottingen (Germany)  RAISA Fellowship for Innovative Research in Biotechnology (Italy)  Swiss Federal Research Fellowship (Switzerland)  BP Koirala award (Nepal)  DFG-INSA Fellowship (Indo-Germany)  FAMI Award 2011 (India)  Honorary Diploma, UMF, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2011)  Life time achievement award, Bombay University (2011)  Special felicitation for outstanding research in the field of microbiology, JNU (2012) Number of Ph.D. Degree awarded: 67 Number of D.Sc. Degree awarded: 1 Publications:  Published over 314 research articles, which appeared in National and International, journals of repute and also several major review articles and chapters in books.  Published 73 books in the area of Microbial Technology, published by Academic Press, London, CRC Press, Florida, USA, IDRC, Canada and Springer-Verlag, Germany.  Nominated as Editor-in-Chief by Springer-Verlag (Germany & New York), the leading science-publishing house, to prepare 50 volumes on Soil Biology  Nominated as Editor-in-Chief by IK Internationals to make series of books on Microbial and Biotechnological Research.  Academic Editor - ‘International Journal of Plant & Soil Science’ Memberships:  National Academy of Agriculture Sciences  International Society of Symbiosis, Boston, USA  Indian Science Congress Association  Executive Council, Amity University Uttar Pradesh  University Research Council, Amity University Uttar Pradesh  Academic Council, Amity University Rajasthan  ASSOCHAM Knowledge Millennium Council  ASSOCHAM Expert Committee on Agriculture and Food Processing  ASSOCHAM Expert Committee on S&T and Innovation Vast experience of organizing national and international training workshop/symposium and congress

Soil Biology

Prof. Carlos A. Guzmán (MD, PhD) is head of the department Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and also APL professor at the Hannover Medical School. He studied Medicine at the National University of Rosario and received his specialization in Medical Bacteriology in Argentina. With a scholarship from the Italian Foreign Ministry he then conducted research at the Institute of Microbiology at the University of Genoa, Italy. He acquired his doctorate in Medicine and Surgery, becoming also a doctor in Microbiological Sciences. In 1994 he moved to Germany and became head of the Vaccine Research group at the HZI, formerly GBF. He has been active in the field of Vaccinology since 1989. His work led to the discovery of new adjuvants and the establishment of Salmonella spp. as a delivery system for DNA vaccines and therapeutic molecules. He has published over 160 papers in international journals and is co-inventor of numerous international patents. Prof. Guzmán is part of the editorial board of Infection and Immunity, Microbial Biotechnology, Open Immunology Journal, Current Immunology Reviews, Open Vaccine Journal and Open Microbiology Journal. He is also review editor of Frontiers in Mucosal Immunology, as well as associated editor of Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. Further he is external Lecturer Doctorate in Biotechnology at the University Catania, Italy. In addition he is speaker of the topic “Immune Response” of the program “Infection and Immunity” of the Helmholtz Alliance.

Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology

Patrick Fickers has completed a PhD from Université de Liège (Belgium) and postdoctoral studies from Polytech’ Lille (France). He joined then the Centre of Protein Engineering (Liège, Belgium) as a FNRS fellow. Since 2009, he is an Associated Professor at Unversité libre de Bruxelles and the head of the Biotechnology and Bioprocess Unit. He has published 34 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and 6 book chapters. His researches focus on the development of yeast and bacterial strains by metabolic engineering and on process development in bioreactor for the production of valuable compounds.

Microbial Processes and interactions

Armen Trchounian has completed Ph.D at the age of 25 years from Yerevan State University (YSU), Armenia, and D.Sc. at the age of 33 years from Tbilisi State University, Georgia. He was Professor, Department of Biophysics (1993-2011); from 2011 he is Head, Department of Microbiology & Plants and Microbes Biotechnology, YSU. He was Fulbright Scholar at University of Chicago, USA; Fellows at Chiba University, Japan; University of Reading, UK; University of Virginia, USA; Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; others. He published more than 250 papers in international peer-reviewed journals, several text-books for schools and universities, review-book. He is serving as editor and editorial board member of numerous journals.

Microbiology & Plants and Microbes

Rup Lal is a Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi and currently, he is also the Dean, Examinations. He is the recipient of Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and the DBT Overseas Fellowship. He has over 30 years of research experience highlighting the aspects of the genetics of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) degradation, exploring microbial diversity, genetic manipulation of rifamycin producer Amycolatopsis mediterranei, microbial genome sequencing and metagenome analysis of stressed niches. He has a US patent to his credit for the development of cloning vectors of A. mediterranei strains. He has nearly 175 publications in peer reviewed journals with 3197 ISI citations & h-index 30. He along with his collaborators developed a mutant of Amycolatopsis mediterranei that produces an analogue of rifamycin B. The derivatives of this analogue also known as 24-desmethyl rifampicin and 24- desmethylrifamycin S were found to be effective against MDR strains of Mycobacteria. He is the ASM Ambassador to the Indian Ocean Region. He is also a member of several national and international committees: was a member of the review committee for the ASM-IUSSTF Indo – US Professorship in Microbiology. He is also a Member of International Education Committee (IEC), American society for Microbiology. He is the Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, New Delhi (FNA), Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc), Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS) and the Fellow of Association of Microbiologists of India (FAMI).

Zoology

Dunja Bruder studied biotechnology at the Technical University of Braunschweig and passed her diploma in 1996. She already showed a high interest in immunology during her studies and analyzed immune responses against bacterial toxins during her PhD thesis at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (1996-1999). In the following years, Dunja Bruder worked as a postdoc in the junior group “Mucosal Immunity” and established transgenic mouse models for the investigation of autoimmune diseases. During several scientific stays abroad, for example at the Harvard Medical School in Boston and the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, she deepened her immunological knowledge and tightened important cooperations. Her successful research activity was rewarded with the Young Investigator Award of the Society of Mucosal Immunology in 2005.

Since October 2006 Dunja Bruder leads the research group “Immune Regulation” at the HZI and was rewarded as the “Supervisor of the year 2008” for her exemplary education of PhD students. In December 2009 she completed her habilitation thesis for immunology at the Hanover Medical School. Since August 2011 Dunja Bruder has a professorship for infections immunology at the Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg.

immunology

Dr Rita Kumar has completed her PhD in 1984 from Delhi University, India. Currently, she is an Emeritus Scientist in CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology at Delhi, India (CSIR is a premier autonomous industrial R&D organization in India). She has also served as Chairman cum Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) at Delhi, India (NRDC is an enterprise under Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India). She has published more than 60 papers and has to her credit 123 patents (98 granted) in the field of environmental biotechnology. She has commercialized two technologies viz., BODSEED and BOD BIOSENSOR – for quick monitoring of wastewater, which are currently in the market.

Genomics and Integrative Biology

Dr. Brennan began his life-long involvement in tuberculosis and leprosy research in 1962 under Professor Frank Winder at Trinity College Dublin. His Ph.D. studies helped establish for the first time that the killing effect of isoniazid on the tuberculosis (TB) bacillus was through inhibition of the synthesis of mycolic acid. Under Professor Clinton Ballou at the University of California, Berkeley, he was responsible for the early definitive work on the biosynthesis of the phosphatidylisositolmannosides (PIMs) of mycobacteria.
On his return to Ireland, Dr. Brennan was Research Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, Trinity College Dublin, and subsequently Lecturer in Biochemistry at University College Dublin. Dr. Brennan returned to the U.S. in 1975, to positions at National Jewish Hospital and the University of Colorado Medical Center, and in 1980 to Colorado State University.
Over the past 35 years, he has led research teams in conducting some of the most fundamental research on the nature of the tuberculosis and leprosy organisms:
(i) definition of the structure, biosynthesis, and genetics of the core cell wall of the TB bacterium and the mode of action of several key TB drugs;
(ii) discovery and molecular definition of LAM, the key ligand in the interactions of the TB organism with host cells;
(iii) the discovery and molecular structure of PGL I (phenolic glycolipid I), the specific antigen/marker of the leprosy organism and its application to the selective diagnosis of leprosy;
(iv) the introduction of the first skin test antigen for leprosy diagnosis for a leprosy endemic area;
(v) definition of the chemical basis of the serotype difference of most of the non-tuberculosis mycobacteria.
Brennan has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications in these and related areas. He has attracted over $20 million in research funds to the University. In 1998, he was named one of 12 University Distinguished Professors at Colorado State University and in 2004 he was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology. He is Editor-in-Chief of Tuberculosis and an editor of Pathogens and Disease and a former editor of Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Tuberculosis and Leprosy research

Professor Ibrahim M. Banat, Professor of Microbial Biotechnology at the University of Ulster, UK. Has more than 30 years’ experience in academic and research institutions in Europe and internationally and has several active collaborative project within the EU and other international academic and industrial establishments.

Research interests include biosurfactants and bio-actives production and potential utilization in environmental oil pollution control and hydrocarbon polluted land bioremediation and microbial enhanced oil recovery. He also recently concentrating on investigating biomedical, pharmaceutical, health and cosmetics related applications of biosurfactants. Prof. Banat also has interest and worked on molecular and cell biology of thermophilic Geobacilli bacteria and bioethanol fermentation and the molecular biology of biosurfactant producers.

Head of Microbiology Laboratory& Medicine Residency Coordinator, supervisor PhD in Medicine and also a member of the leadership of in ESC, ESGP & ESCMID. Prof Monica is also a member of the editorial staff / reviewer of national and international journals. She has been awarded with a honorary diploma by the National Society of Parasitology. She is a visiting professor of the Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Parasitology, Infection Control, Microbiology

Assoc. Prof. Helena Bujdáková, is the head of the Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. She is a specialist in medical microbiology. She has had experiences with a management of national projects, but also with those bilateral ones with Austria, Armenia and Ukraine. She was a partner of the consortium in the project CanTrain Marie Curie Research Training Network (FP6) funded by EU. She got Fulbright and JSPS scholarships for research / teaching stays in USA and Japan.
She is also Vice President of the Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology, the bilateral organization joining Slovak and Czech microbiologists. She has been a member of the Group for teaching Microbiology in Europe, established at FEMS (Federation of European Microbiological Societies). Regularly she gave invited lectures at national and international conferences and congresses. In this very challenging and competitive science discipline, she published more than 60 reviewed articles indexed in Web of Sciences that have been cited more than 450 times.

she has worked in various topics dealing with microbial biofilms, especially, aimed at yeasts from the genus Candida.She has also been actively involved in the consortium COST Action iPROMEDAI TD1305 (Improved Protection of Medical Devices, 2014-2018).

Natalia Tschowri studied Biology at the Freie Universität Berlin, where she also obtained her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge with a thesis on blue light signalling in the control of biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. In September 2012 she joined Prof. Mark Buttner’s lab at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK as a PostDoc. Funded by the EMBO longterm fellowship, she began to work on c-di-GMP signalling in Streptomyces. Back in Berlin in October 2013 she continued with her studies on the role of cyclic di-nucleotides in Streptomyces developmental biology and is now an independent group leader at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Role of cyclic di-nucleotides in Streptomyces developmental biology

Dr. Amparo Gamero Lluna works as Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Bromatology area at the University of Valencia, Spain. She holds an European Ph.D in Food Science, Technology & Management as well as Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Food Science & Technology degrees. Her main research topic is the study of aroma production by yeasts in food products, especially alcoholic beverages. The yeasts studied are Saccharomyces species, their natural interspecific hybrids and non-conventional yeasts. Her research interests reflect in her wide range of publications in international journals and her participation in congresses at international level. She has worked and carrying out short stays at different universities, research centers and companies of different European countries: Spain (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC; University of Valencia; University of Zaragoza; AINIA technology centre), The Netherlands (NIZO food research; Fungal Biodiversity Center, CBS-KNAW), Denmark (University of Copenhagen; Carlsberg Research Center; Christian Hansen) and Belgium (University of Leuven).

study of aroma production by yeasts in food products

Dr. Bożena Futoma-Kołoch graduated from University of Wrocław in 2004. She received her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Wrocław in 2008. After that, she has held an academic position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology in the Institute of Genetics and Microbiology at University of Wrocław. She is a member of Polish Society of Microbiologists, and International Complement Society. She has published more than 50 papers in national and international journals, 30 presentations at congresses, with several awards. Dr. Futoma-Kołoch's research program focuses on bacterial surface antigens as molecular targets of the protective immune response and their role in bacterial resistance to disinfectants.

bacterial surface antigens as molecular targets of the protective immune response and their role in bacterial resistance to disinfectants.

Giulio Tarro graduated from Medicine School, Naples University (1962). Research Associate, Division of Virology and Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital (1965-1968), Assistant Professor of Research Pediatrics, College Medicine (1968-1969), Cincinnati University, Ohio. Oncological Virology Professor, Naples University (1972-1985). Chief Division Virology (1973-2003), Head Department Diagnostic Laboratories, (2003-2006). D. Cotugno Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Naples; Emeritus, 2006 -. Since 2007 Chairman Committee of Biotechnologies and Virus Sphere, World Academy Biomedical Technologies, UNESCO, Adjunct Professor Department Biology, Temple University, College of Science and Technology, Philadelphia, recipient of the Sbarro Health Research Organization lifetime achievement award (2010). President Foundation de Beaumont Bonelli for Cancer Research.
His basic researches have been concerned with antigens induced early during the replication cycle of human herpesviruses. Another study has involved the identification, isolation and characterization of specific virus-induced tumour antigens, which were the "finger-prints" left behind in human cancer. Achievements include patents in field; discovery of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in infant deaths in Naples and of tumor liberated protein as a tumor associated antigen, 55 kilodalton protein overexpressed in lung tumors and other epithelial adenocarcinomas.

Viral Oncology, Tumor Liberated Protein (TLP), Emerging Viral Agents at Risk in Global Health Approaches to Early Diagnosis and Prompt Therapy

Dr. Judith Ascher-Jenull received her Master degree in Natural Sciences, Biology, Microbiology, from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, in 1998, and her PhD in Agricultural Chemistry from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Piacenza, Milan, Italy, in 2004. After graduation (till today) she worked at the Department of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science - now the Department of Agrifood and Environmental Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, as a research soil microbiologist. Since 2012 she is collaborating with the Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria as senior researcher.
She has published over 50 articles and 6 book chapters in the field of environmental molecular microbial ecology (e.g. linking microbial diversity and soil function; Responses of microbial communities to natural vs. anthropogenic environmental changes; Soil metamobilome: fate and ecological relevance of extracellular DNA), 34 in ISI journals with > 50 co-authors, with > 1500 citations in > 1000 documents (Scopus and Research Gate), resulting in a current scientific Hirsch-factor (H-index) of 14. Dr. Ascher-Jenull is currently active in collaborating with the University of Innsbruck (Austria), University of Zuerich (Switzerland) and the University of Osnabrueck (Germany) within the D.A.CH.-DecAlp Project on the “Effect of climate on coarse woody debris decay dynamics and incorporation into the soils of forested Alpine areas”, aiming at a multidisciplinary use of humus forms as missing link between the micro- and macro scale. She was/is active as reviewer for > 15 ISI Journals and since February 2014 she is Editor-in-Chief of Applied Soil Ecology (Elsevier).

Her scientific interest is also focused on the evaluation and optimisation of DNA-based molecular methods (sequential extraction of the soil metagenome: extra- vs. intracellular DNA; genetic fingerprinting) in relation to physico-chemical soil characteristics.

PhD in Microbiology and Virology, with an high specialization in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Arnolfo Petruzziello was born in Naples, Italy, where actually works as Head of the Laboratory of Virology and Molecular Biology “V. Tridente” at National Cancer Research IRCCS Italia- Fondazione “G. Pascale” in Naples.
Professor of Microbiology, General Pathology and Clinical Microbiology for the University of Naples “Federico II”, he is also Quality Assurance Manager in the JACIE program for the autologous transplantation program of the Department of Haemathology and OECI (Organization of European Cancer Institutes) auditors.
He is author of numerous scientific publications and member of the Editorial Board of several prestigious scientific Journals in Virology and Microbiology.

Virology and Molecular Biology, with particular reference to PCR for the diagnosis of HBV, HCV, HIV infections and EBV, HSV and CMV co-infections in the context of the transplantation program.

Patrick Fickers has completed a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Liège (Belgium). After a postdoc at Polytech’Lille (France), he joined in 2005 the Centre of Protein Engineering (Liège, Belgium) as a FNRS fellow. Form 2009 until 2014, he was an Associated Professor at Université libre de Bruxelles and the head of the Biotechnology and Bioprocess Unit. Since 2015, he is a Professor at Gembloux Agro BioTech, University of Liege, in the Microbial Processes and Interactions and Adjunct Professor at Ton Duc Thang University (Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam). He has published more than 40 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and 6 book chapters.

His researches focus on the development of yeast and bacterial strains by metabolic engineering and on process development in bioreactor for the production of compounds of biotechnological interest.

Svetlana Codreanu has completed her BSc and PhD in Microbiology from Moldova State University and joined the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova in 1993, where she has held various executive and scientific positions. She has authored over 80 scientific publications and 15 patents. She has received numerous awards including the WIPO prise and Gold Medal. She is also a Fellow of Moldovan Society for Microbiology and FEMS Delegate.

Algae and Biomass

Nikos Mavroudis is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Food Science and leads the laboratory of Food Engineering & Separation of Actives (FoESA) in the Dept. of Applied Sciences in Northumbria University at Newcastle. Previously Nikos was a Research Scientist and Project Leader for Unilever R&D for 9 years and has been responsible for developing the separation expertise within Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, the Netherlands.
His research interests are focused on Food Security & Food Safety, particularly relevant is his interest on bacterial flow cytometry and surface decontamination. Nikos has published 10 research articles in peer review journals and 12 patents/patent filings and his work has attracted ca 325 citations excluding self-citations.

Food Security & Food Safety, bacterial flow cytometry and surface decontamination.

Dr. Bechan Sharma is presently working as a Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry Allahabad University, Allahabad. Prof. Sharma’s earlier services include as an Assistant Professor at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural sciences and Technology-J&K, Kashmir and as Associate Professor at Dr. RML Avadh University Faizabad. He has twenty six years of teaching / research experience.
He has carried out several research projects and published over 130 research papers including book chapters, molecular methods in peer reviewed International and National Journals/ Books/Methods of repute with high impact factors. He has authored 4 books published by NOVA Sci. Inc. USA and LampBert Publishers-Germany. He has one US patent on HIV-1 genome structure based antiHIV-1 drugs design to his credit.He is member/life member of several national/international scientific societies and attended number of symposia/conferences in India and abroad and presented his research papers there in.
He is Chief-Editor/Associate Editor/Executive Editor and Member Editorial Board of 85 peer reviewed International and National Journals. He has been acting as honorary reviewer for about 135 International/National scientific journals. Prof. Sharma has recently been awarded with ICMR’s Senior Scientist Fellowship 2014-15 in Biomedical Sciences under Indo-USA joint research programme.

The areas of his research interest include Molecular Biology of HIV/AIDS, Tropical Diseases (Filariasis/Malaria) and Biochemical Toxicology.