Dr. Ajit kaur | Microbiology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Ajit kaur is an accomplished microbiologist with a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, specializing in industrial enzyme production from digested biogas slurry. With over seven years of research and teaching experience, Ajit kaur has held various positions, including Teaching Assistant at Punjab Agricultural University and Senior Research Fellow at CSIR-CMERI. Recognized for academic excellence, Ajit kaur has received multiple awards and fellowships, including a Gold Medal from SAASCA and University Merit Fellowship. Proficient in French and web design, Ajit kaur is also an all-rounder with achievements in literary, athletic, and co-curricular activities.

profile:

Scopus

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Microbiology (Minor: Biochemistry), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (2006-2010) Thesis: Design and construction of optical sensors for the determination of Gadolinium, Cerium, Dysprosium ions using Schiff’s base ligands. Supervisors: Prof. Mohammad Reza Ganjali and Prof. Parviz Norouzi. M.Sc. in Microbiology (Minor: Biochemistry), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (2004-2006). Thesis: Indirect determination of cyanide by solid phase reactors using flow injection analysis – flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FIA-FAAS) system. Supervisor: Prof. Missam Noroozifar. B.Sc. in Pure Chemistry, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran (1998-2003)

📚 Research Interests:

Analytical Chemistry, Experimental Design, Various Sensor Technologies (Biosensor, PEC, Optical, Colorimetric, Electrochemical, Fluorometric, Potentiometric, Chemical), Gas-sensors, Colorimetric Sensors, Wearable Sensors, Sensor Arrays, Breath Analysis, Photoactive Biopolymers, Microfluidic Systems, Nano-fabrication and Nano-characterization, Photocatalysts, Energy Materials, Membranes, Quantum Dots, PEC Environmental Remediation, Upconversion Materials, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Magnetic Materials, MOFs, COFs, Surface Plasmonic Resonance Materials, MXenes, Environmental Chemistry, Heavy Metal Ion Removal, Dye Removal, Smart Drug Delivery

🏅 Awards & Honors:

University Merit Fellowship, M.Sc, University Insignia, Panjab University, Chandigarh (2008), Gold Medal, SAASCA, PAU, Ludhiana (2012), University Merit Certificates for Proficiency in Literary Activities, PAU, Ludhiana (2011-12), Special Award in Recognition in Academics, D.A.V. College, Hoshiarpur, Participation in Inter-Agri University Youth Festival, Anand Agricultural University

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience:

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (2011-Present), Courses: General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Electroanalytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Molecular Spectrometry, Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, Identification of Nano Compounds, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Trace Analysis, Special Topics in Chemistry, Chemometrics, Application of Nanomaterial in Chemical Sensor and Biosensor, Advanced Analytical Spectrometry

🔬 Work Experience:

Visiting Professor, University of Toronto, Scarborough (2024-Present), Associate Professor, Iran University of Science and Technology (2019-2024), Assistant Professor, Iran University of Science and Technology (2011-2019), Teaching Assistant, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (2019-Present), Project Assistant, Level-III, Centre of Excellence in Farm Machinery, CSIR – CMERI, Ludhiana (2018-2019), Senior Research Fellow, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana (2018), Research Assistant (Volunteer), Centre of Excellence in Farm Machinery, CSIR – CMERI, Ludhiana (2018), Senior Research Fellow, Centre of Excellence in Farm Machinery, CSIR – CMERI, Ludhiana (2016-2018), Project Fellow, School of Renewable Energy Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana (2015)

🛠 Skills:

Software: CorelDraw, Inkscape, VOSviewer, Muad, Fullprof, KSAS, Microsoft Office, OriginPro, X’pert Highscore, Mercury, Crystallographic Data, Z-View, ChemBioDraw, Statistica. Instruments: AAS, ICP, DLS, SEM, BET, XRD, VSM, Raman, TEM, STEM, TGA, UV-Vis DRS, PL, FTIR, GC, GC-mass, HPLC

📖 Teaching Experience

Iran University of Science and Technology (2011-Present): Undergraduate: General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Electroanalytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry. Graduate (MS & Ph.D.): Analytical Molecular Spectrometry, Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, Identification of Nano Compounds, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Trace Analysis, Special Topics in Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Chemometrics, Application of Nanomaterial in Chemical Sensor and Biosensor, Advanced Analytical Spectrometry

Publication:📝

Rice straw: status, management and strategies for sustainable development with special emphasis on the Northern India and government-supported initiatives
Authors: Kaur, A., Singh, R.
Journal: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Date: 2024
Type: Review, Article in Press
Citations: 1

ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF LIGNOCELLULOLYTIC ENZYMES BY BACTERIAL CULTURE OF DELFTIA SP. THROUGH SUBMERGED STATE FERMENTATION OF BIODIGESTED SLURRY AND UTILIZATION FOR BIOGAS AUGMENTATION USING PADDY STRAW
Authors: Kaur, N., Kaur, A., Phutela, U.G.
Journal: Cellulose Chemistry and Technology
Date: 2023
Volume: 57(3-4)
Pages: 305–323
Type: Article, Open access
Citations: 0

Sweet sorghum-a promising alternative feedstock for biofuel production
Authors: Ahmad Dar, R., Ahmad Dar, E., Kaur, A., Gupta Phutela, U.
Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Date: 2018
Volume: 82
Pages: 4070–4090
Type: Review
Citations: 107

Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Bioenergy: A Review
Authors: Kundu, K., Chatterjee, A., Bhattacharyya, T., Roy, M., Kaur, A.
Book: Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
Date: 2018
Pages: 235–268
Type: Book Chapter
Citations: 44

Partial purification and characterization of cellulolytic enzymes extracted from trichoderma reesei inoculated digested biogas slurry
Authors: Kaur, A., Bhatia, S., Phutela, U.G.
Journal: Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology
Date: 2017
Volume: 11(4)
Pages: 1953–1963
Type: Article, Open access
Citations: 1

Dr. Sepideh Pakpour | Microbiology Award | Women Researcher Award

Profile Summary

With a rich academic background spanning from a BSc in Food Science & Technology to a PhD in Biology from reputable institutions like McGill University and the University of British Columbia, I have cultivated expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, and omics technologies. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, I focused on infectious diseases and global health. My commitment to teaching is underscored by my interdisciplinary approach, employing innovative methodologies like the ‘flipped classroom’ to engage students. I’ve received awards for both teaching and scholarship, and my research, centered on the ‘One Health’ philosophy, has garnered recognition in high-impact journals and prestigious conferences. Through my scholarly and professional activities, I aim to advance knowledge and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in fields like microbiome research and indoor environment optimization.

Professional Profiles

Scopus Profile

🎓 Post-Secondary Education

Broad Institute of MIT Postdoctoral Fellow in Infectious Disease & Microbiome Duration: Sept. 2015 – Jan. 2018 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Postdoctoral Fellow at Centre for Health and the Global Environment Duration: Sept. 2015 – Jan. 2018 University of British Columbia PhD in Biology Duration: Sept. 2011 – Dec. 2015 McGill University MSc in Food Science & Agricultural Chemistry Duration: Jan. 2008 – Feb. 2011 Shahid Beheshti University, BSc in Food Science & Technology Duration: Feb. 2001 – Jun. 2006

📜 Certifications & Training Courses

“Anti-Racist Teaching & Leadership (ARTL) – STEM Faculty Cohort”, UBC Applied Science, Vancouver, BC, Summer 2023, “Microplastic Detection and Analysis: Problem-Solving Workshop”, UBC Microplastics cluster, Vancouver, BC, 2022, “Non-Invasive Sample Collection Types for Infectious Disease Testing”, AACC 2022, Chicago, USA, 2022, “Toolbox Dialogue Workshop”, UBC Microplastics cluster, Vancouver, BC, 2022, “Virtual Design for Research Communications”, UBC Microplastics cluster, Vancouver, BC, 2022, “CV Workshop for APSC Faculty in the Professoriate Stream”, UBC, Kelowna, BC, 2022, “Classroom technology”, UBC, Kelowna, BC, 2021, “EDI in Engineering”, School of Engineering, UBC, Kelowna, BC, 2021, “Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme”, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford UK, Summer 2021 and more…

👨‍🏫 Teaching

In my teaching philosophy, I emphasize interdisciplinary and interactive approaches, aiming to prepare students for global thinking, creativity, and collaboration. I integrate cutting-edge research findings with course material to inspire keen, enthusiastic, and successful students. I employ the M.U.S.I.C. model to keep students engaged and motivated, and I implement a ‘flipped classroom’ strategy across various course levels, tailoring the approach to suit different student cohorts. My commitment to enhancing the learning experience is reflected in ongoing adjustments and innovations to optimize student comprehension and engagement.

🏆 Awards and Distinctions

(a) Awards for Teaching Faculty Emerging Academic School of Engineering, UBC Dates: April 2021 and 2022 (b) Awards for Scholarship NSERC Young Investigator Award NSERC (National) Date: 2020 Fungal Ecology 2014 Annual Review & Research in Biology 2013 Applied Science Nominee for Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Scholars Award Date: September 2019 Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science and Technology, Travel Grant to Attend Step-Up workshop Simon Fraser University (National) Date: May 2018 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Travel Grant Award to Attend Microbiomes of the Built Environment Meeting International Date: Oct. 2016 Sloan Travel Award for MoBE Early Career Workshop International Date: April 2016 Nominated for Canada 150 Research Chairs competition UBC, Okanagan Date: 2018 (c) Awards for Service, (d) Other Awards

🤝 Service to the Community

(a) Memberships on Scholarly Societies Affiliated Research Member, Interior Health, Kelowna, BC, Canada Duration: 2018 – Present Affiliated Research Member, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA Duration: 2018 – 2020 (b) Memberships on Other Societies Member of International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate Duration: 2018 – Present (f) Reviewer Journals: Microbial Biotechnology, Associate Editorial Board Duration: Jan 2022 – Present Microbial Biotechnology, Editorial Board Duration: Sep. 2020 – Dec. 2021 PNAS Frontiers in Fungal Biotechnology The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific mSystems Gut Microbes Frontiers in Microbiology Scientific Reports Bioinformatics Environmental Biotechnology Covid (New Journal) Microorganisms Textile Research Journal The FASEB Journal British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research American Journal of Plant Sciences British Biotechnology Journal Agency: CIHR reviewer for COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity Date: 2020 (g) External Examiner PhD Comprehensive Exam External Examiner, Harvard University Date: Jan. 2022 Student: Ms. Marina Chen Supervisor: Dr. Jack Spengler (i) Other Service to the Community Canada Biomedical Research Fund and BiosciencesDate: 2023 NFRF – T Expert Panel Member Duration: 2022 – 2023 NFRF – E Reviewer Duration: 2022 – 2023 Kelowna Secondary School (KSS) Engineering Academy: Environmental Engineering Course Role: Co-Instructor Duration: 2020 – 2021 Knowledge and Technology Translation Role: Academic Lead Outcome: Collaborative initiative with various UBC faculties to implement protective intraoral stents for healthcare personnel, aimed at minimizing post-radiation oral complications.

Sample Success Stories:

Negin’s Academic Achievements: Negin demonstrated exceptional progress in her PhD studies, receiving prestigious scholarships such as NSERC-CGS-D, UBC MURPH Graduate Scholar Award, and more. She showcased her research at renowned events like the Harvard Probiotics Symposium and UBC Microbiome Research Network’s Symposium. With 6 publications in esteemed journals like Science and Microbiome, Negin’s scholarly contributions have been significant and impactful. Joud’s Journey in Biomedical Engineering: Joud’s journey began as a first-year engineering student, where she discovered her passion for biomedical engineering during an APSC 183 course. Throughout her undergraduate studies at UBC, Joud received several awards and scholarships, including the Outstanding International Student Award. Under the mentorship of her supervisor, she conducted a successful Capstone project and later pursued a MASc, where she actively contributes to research and organizational roles, promoting knowledge exchange in her field. Rita’s Remarkable Research Contributions: Rita joined the team as a Master’s student and has already made significant strides, publishing journal articles and conference papers while having more under review. Through her MASc studies, Rita secured a prestigious internship with an international industrial partner, enhancing her research experience. Recognized for her research and soft skills, Rita’s achievements include ranking first in the Three Minute Thesis competition and being selected as Lead Student Representative by the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). Faizan’s Career Progression: Faizan began as an Undergraduate Research Assistant and continued to excel, publishing manuscripts and receiving accolades like the Best Poster Award. Upon completing his MASc, Faizan secured a position as a bioinformatics scientist at Jumpcode Genomics, attributing his success to the guidance and mentorship received during his time with the team.

🔬 Scholarly and Professional Activities

(a) Areas of Special Interest and Accomplishments: Conducting transformative research focusing on connections influencing individual comfort and ecosystems. Expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, omics technologies, aerobiology, and nanotechnology. Rooted in the ‘One Health’ philosophy, emphasizing the interconnection of individual health, built environments, and ecosystems. Projects include optimizing indoor spaces for well-being, population-based diagnostics, and exploring the human microbiome’s role in health and disease. Notable publications in high-impact journals like Science, Microbiome, Cell Host & Microbe, and ACS Nano. (b) Research Grants (Competitive and Non-Competitive): Secured numerous competitive grants totaling millions of dollars from agencies like NSERC, MITACS, and Bioeconomy International. Projects cover a wide range of topics including antimicrobial materials, indoor environment optimization, and human microbiome research. (d) Invited Presentations: Delivered invited talks at prestigious institutions and conferences nationally and internationally, showcasing expertise in human microbiome research, indoor environments, and personalized medicine. (e) Other Presentations: Supervised and presented alongside Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) at conferences, contributing to various research projects. (f) Training and Certifications: Undertook specialized training in thesis and dissertation writing, health, safety, and environment, leadership skills, and ISO standards. (g) Conference Participation: Organized and participated in key conferences and workshops, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange in fields like cloud computing, microbiome bioinformatics, and image-guided therapeutics.

📚Top Noted Publication

Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease: opportunities and challenges
- Authors: N Kazemian, M Mahmoudi, F Halperin, JC Wu, S Pakpour
- Journal: Microbiome
- Volume: 8
- Pages: 1-17
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 252

Proximal colon–derived O-glycosylated mucus encapsulates and modulates the microbiota
- Authors: K Bergstrom, X Shan, D Casero, A Batushansky, V Lagishetty, JP Jacobs, …
- Journal: Science
- Volume: 370
- Issue: 6515
- Pages: 467-472
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 148

Determination of nanoparticles using UV-Vis spectra
- Authors: S Behzadi, F Ghasemi, M Ghalkhani, AA Ashkarran, SM Akbari, …
- Journal: Nanoscale
- Volume: 7
- Issue: 12
- Pages: 5134-5139
- Year: 2015
- Citations: 54

Relationships of fungal spore concentrations in the air and meteorological factors
- Authors: S Pakpour, DW Li, J Klironomos
- Journal: Fungal Ecology
- Volume: 13
- Pages: 130-134
- Year: 2015
- Citations: 52

Dose Effects of Orally Administered Spirulina Suspension on Colonic Microbiota in Healthy Mice
- Authors: J Hu, Y Li, S Pakpour, S Wang, Z Pan, J Liu, Q Wei, J She, H Cang, …
- Journal: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
- Volume: 9
- Pages: 243
- Year: 2019
- Citations: 45

Identifying predictive features of Clostridium difficile infection recurrence before, during, and after primary antibiotic treatment
- Authors: S Pakpour, A Bhanvadia, R Zhu, A Amarnani, SM Gibbons, T Gurry, …
- Journal: Microbiome
- Volume: 5
- Pages: 1-10
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 38

Effect of fungal deterioration on physical and mechanical properties of hemp and flax natural fiber composites
- Authors: B Crawford, S Pakpour, N Kazemian, J Klironomos, K Stoeffler, D Rho, …
- Journal: Materials
- Volume: 10
- Issue: 11
- Pages: 1252
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 38

Fecal microbiota transplantation during and post-COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors: N Kazemian, D Kao, S Pakpour
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Volume: 22
- Issue: 6
- Pages: 3004
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 37

Environmental factors influencing fungal growth on gypsum boards and their structural biodeterioration: A university campus case study
- Authors: N Kazemian, S Pakpour, AS Milani, J Klironomos
- Journal: PLoS One
- Volume: 14
- Issue: 8
- Pages: e0220556
- Year: 2019
- Citations: 35

Frequency of antibiotic resistance in a swine facility 2.5 years after a ban on antibiotics
- Authors: S Pakpour, S Jabaji, MR Chénier
- Journal: Microbial ecology
- Volume: 63
- Pages: 41-50
- Year: 2012
- Citations: 33

Ajit kaur | Microbiology | Women Researcher Award