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Centre for Advanced Learning

Dr. Athmika Nagaraj

athmika@tlc.edu.in

ABOUT

Dr. Athmika Nagaraj has been trained extensively in Microbial Biotechnology and Biopolymer Science, with a strong focus on the development of sustainable biomaterials for biomedical and environmental applications. Her research has been supported by prestigious national fellowships, reflecting the scientific merit and translational potential of her work. Dr. Nagaraj has published her findings in high-impact international journals. Her research contributions span microbial genomics, biopolymer characterization, bioink development, underscoring her interdisciplinary approach that integrates Microbiology, Materials Science and biomedical evaluation. Through her research and mentorship, she continues to contribute to the development of eco-conscious, biologically derived materials with potential applications in healthcare and beyond.  Alongside active research she has a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring students. 

Fellowship

  1. Indian Council of Medical Research – Senior Research Fellowship, Govt. of India: July 2022 – March 2024
  2. Senior Research Fellowship – Yenepoya University, Mangaluru: September 2021 – June 2022
  3. Department of Biotechnology – Senior Research Fellowship, Govt. of India: September 2020 – August 2021
  4. Department of Biotechnology – Junior Research Fellowship, Govt. of India: August 2018 – August 2020

Awards and Honours

  • Best Oral Presentation Award (First Prize), MiCON-2023 – Microbes, Innovation & Technology
  • Best Oral Presentation Award (First Prize), MiCON-2022 – Advances in Microbiology
  • GATE – 2020
  1. Nagaraj A, Subramaniyan Y, Surya S, Rekha PD. Burn wound healing abilities of a uronic acid containing exopolysaccharide produced by the marine bacterium Halomonas malpeensis YU-PRIM-29T. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 2024 Nov;196(11):8190-213.
  2. Nagaraj A, Rekha PD. Development of a bioink using exopolysaccharide from Rhizobium sp. PRIM17. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2023 Apr 15;234:123608.
  3. Rekha PD, Shastry RP, Hameed A, Ghate SD, Arun AB, Athmika N. Genomic potential for exopolysaccharide production and differential polysaccharide degradation in closely related Alteromonas sp. PRIM-21 and Alteromonas fortis 1T. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 2023 Jan;116(1):39-51.
  4. Dhanya BE, Athmika, Rekha PD. Characterization of an exopolysaccharide produced by Enterobacter sp. YU16-RN5 and its potential to alleviate cadmium induced cytotoxicity in vitro. 3 Biotech. 2021 Dec;11:1-1.
  5. Athmika, Ghate SD, Arun AB, Rao SS, Kumar SA, Kendyl MK, Saptami K, Rekha PD. Genome analysis of a halophilic bacterium Halomonas malpeensis YU-PRIM-29T reveals its exopolysaccharide and pigment producing capabilities. Scientific Reports. 2021 Jan 18;11(1):1749.
  6. Vipin C, Saptami K, Fida F, Mujeeburahiman M, Rao SS, Athmika, Arun AB, Rekha PD. Potential synergistic activity of quercetin with antibiotics against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PLoS One. 2020 Nov 6;15(11):e0241304.
  7. Rekha PD, Hameed A, Manzoor MA, Suryavanshi MV, Ghate SD, Arun AB, Rao SS, Athmika, Bajire SK, Mujeeburahiman M, Young CC. First report of pathogenic bacterium Kalamiella piersonii isolated from urine of a kidney stone patient: draft genome and evidence for role in struvite crystallization. Pathogens. 2020 Aug 29;9(9):711.
  1. Rao SS, Athmika, Rekha PD. Biopolymers in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biomedical Applications. In Biopolymers: Recent Updates, Challenges and Opportunities 2022 May 24 (pp. 223-244). Cham: Springer International Publishing.