I grew up in Ballia, a small town in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, where I first became fascinated by the hidden world of microbes. In high school, what started as simple curiosity quickly turned into a deep interest, leading me to pursue a degree in microbiology at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences (SHUATS).

During my undergraduate studies, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a Research Trainee at the National Center for Microbial Resources in Pune. There, I isolated and studied microorganisms from Antarctica’s Queen Maud Land - a project that sparked my passion for exploring how microbes survive in extreme environments.

That curiosity took me even further, all the way to the University of Haifa, Israel, where I earned my master’s in marine biology. Under the guidance of Prof. Laura Steindler, I studied a marine bacterium with a fascinating ability to switch between two energy acquisition mechanisms—proteorhodopsin and RuBisCO. This research opened my eyes to the remarkable adaptability of microbes in ocean ecosystems.

Before starting my PhD, I worked in Dr. Naama’s lab as a Visiting Research Student, studying seasonal changes in airborne antibiotic resistance genes and their connection to particulate matter in urban environments. This experience deepened my interest in aeromicrobiology and set me on the path to my current research.

Now, as a PhD student in Dr. Naama’s lab, I continue to explore the intricate connections between microbes and the environment, driven by my passion for understanding the invisible forces that shape our world.

Outside the lab, I love cooking Indian food, getting lost in a good book, going on quiet walks, and spending time with the people who matter most.