Divya Tripathi
Project Title:
Fostering artificial intelligence assisted point-of-care portable analyzer for rapid diagnosis of antimicrobial resistant ESKAPE pathogens
I am a biotechnology researcher specializing in host-pathogen interactions, cellular metabolism, and antimicrobial resistance. I hold a B.Sc. in Microbiology from Calcutta University and completed my M.Sc. by Research in Biotechnology at the Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International University. During masters, I conducted one year of intensive research under the guidance of Dr. Sunil Saroj.
My Master’s dissertation explored how Neisseria meningitidis utilizes host-derived metabolites to survive the immune response and develop drug resistance. Specifically, my work demonstrated that host acetate enhances the meningococcal oxidative stress resistance and intracellular survival within macrophages—a finding we published in the Virulence (Taylor Franscis Journal) under the title “Metabolic adaptation to host acetate facilitates oxidative stress resistance and intracellular survival of Neisseria meningitidis in macrophages”. I completed my dissertation semester with a GPA of 9.4/10. My academic training spans microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and cell biology, establishing a strong foundation for deciphering complex microbial survival mechanisms. I have gained extensive, hands-on expertise in cellular and pathogen work, including the safe handling of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) pathogens, animal tissue culture, and various cell viability assays. Additionally, my technical toolkit includes essential molecular techniques such as nucleic acid isolation, PCR, and RT-PCR, complemented by advanced instrumentation experience operating flow cytometers and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) systems.
With a strong dedication to research and scientific communication, I look forward to applying my foundation in microbiology to tackle complex biological challenges and drive impactful progress in the scientific world.