Student write-ups

Two of the most important things that are going to drive the future of technology and the world are energy and data. My Ph.D. research is all about making the most efficient use of data to develop analytical methods and facilitate infrastructural development necessary for the incorporation of renewable energy-based resources and electric vehicles in the existing electrical power systems. Leveraging cutting-edge deep learning technology, a key component of my research work involves critical analysis of the existing power grid in terms of network identification and awareness, and developing tools and control mechanisms to ensure its safety, stability, and reliability under uncertain renewable energy generation and flexible load penetration. It also includes the development and ideation of futuristic frameworks corresponding to the infrastructure and market-based components of these smart electrical distribution networks to further facilitate the incorporation of distributed generation, self-sufficient renewable-based stand-alone mini and micro grid models in the energy ecosystem of the country and the world. My research is largely inspired by the Gov. of India’s ambitious plans of achieving 100% e-mobility in the transportation sector by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, and a vital deciding factor towards achieving both these goals is the availability of a robust and reliable electrical energy network for transmission and distribution of green energy.

Other than this, I also work on developing machine learning-based methods for graph-supported signal analysis and domain generalization techniques for deep learning algorithms. The results and algorithms developed in the process are directly applied to make the grid smarter and stronger.

Other than promoting green energy and plummeting carbon footprints, a significant contribution of my research work revolves around providing opportunities for attaining self-sufficiency in terms of energy in remote locations of the country and the world, with the help of efficient mini and micro grid models.

Arnab Bhattacharjee (July, 2022)

Jayendran received Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF), one of the most prestigious fellowships for PhD students in India, through lateral entry (May 2021). He is jointly working with Prof. M. Ali Haider, IIT Delhi and Prof. Debra Bernhardt, UQ. His thesis work is focused on “Theoretical Simulations of Metal, Oxide, Zeolite and Solvation Environment for Biorenewable Catalytic Transformations”, and herein, he is involved in understanding different classes of catalysts to gain the mechanistic insights into bio-based reactions using density functional theory, molecular dynamic simulations, and machine learning. The fellowship would help Jayendran to attend important conferences and workshops in catalysis and have interactions with the best minds in the field.

Jaydendran Iyer (July, 2022)

The mere usage of the word ‘DNA’ can ignite curiosity among people. Nature’s ability to define life, its complex traits and functions from a molecular level of just five nucleotides A, T, G, C and U fascinated me. This was my first ever exposure to genetics in high school and ultimately led me to pursue and specialize in Biotechnology as an undergraduate. Upon undertaking courses on several topics, internships and trainings, I realized my inner calling towards genomics and public health. My passion for Genomics drove me to work as a Project Assistant at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi for two years as a Project Fellow. There, I lead several projects and focussed on genomics of the non-coding Alu repeats, population genetics of chemosensory gene polymorphisms, genetic risk prediction of COVID-19 and genetic ancestry prediction that lead to a handful of publications, demonstrating my research skills.

To build the foundation to my career, I then joined the UQ–IITD joint PhD program (August 2021) to work on the project titled “Discovering novel cell-type specific non-coding RNA and dissecting their role in cancer” under the supervision of Dr. Ishaan Gupta (IIT Delhi) and Dr. Quan Nguyen (UQ). Further, I was nominated by UQ–IITD and subsequently selected for the prestigious Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) during the December 2021 cycle through the lateral entry channel. I am honoured to be part of this as it would give me opportunities to interact with students and scientists from the fellow PMRF granting institutes and to develop my teaching skills which is an important aspect as I wish to gain and transfer knowledge as an independent researcher in the future.

My primary research interest lies in identifying and investigating the functions of the non-coding RNAs across cancer types and to apply the findings for the betterment of public health. I aim to employ my computational skills to explore and analyse the molecular complexity of ncRNAs mediating cancers through analysis of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets, eventually leading to the development of a pan-cancer atlas of ncRNAs with resolution at a single-cell level and spatial context retained.

Prakrithi P (July, 2022)

Baibhav received Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF), one of the most prestigious fellowships for PhD students in India, through direct entry (Jan 2022). He is jointly working with Prof. Ayan Bhowmik, IIT Delhi and Prof. Mingxing Zhang, University of Queensland. His thesis work is focused on “Additive Manufacturing of stainless-steel nanocomposites”, and herein, he is involved in manufacturing stainless steel using Selective laser melting technology, preparing nanocomposites by deciding the fibre material and performing various characterisation and mechanical testings.

Baibhav Karan (July, 2022)

I was introduced to basic research in science when I joined the five-year BSMS dual degree program at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal in 2016. The interdisciplinary approach of coursework and experience from internships helped me develop an interest in genomics, systems biology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics – which is reflected in the topic of my PhD. I joined the University of Queensland – IIT Delhi Academy of Research (UQ–IITD) in July 2021. Working under the supervision of Dr Ishaan Gupta and Prof. Ernst Wolvetang, I would learn about two approaches to research that would contribute positively to help me become a committed member of the research society. I was nominated by UQ–IITD and subsequently selected for the prestigious Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF – May 2021) through the direct entry channel. This program offers PhD students a chance to collaborate and exchange ideas with scientists from all over the country. This experience will prove to be indispensable to my career as I wish to become an independent researcher.

My project at UQ–IITD aims to find the yet-unknown molecular players of neurodevelopmental disorders. One such diverse group of conditions is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is increasing – in India and worldwide. With a model for ASD, we can better understand its genetic and environmental basis and determine possible medical interventions to improve its prognosis and treatment. However, since such diseases manifest in the brain during embryonic development, we cannot use the affected organ/tissues. But it is now possible to grow mini-brains or brain organoids in petri dishes in labs and study them as they mature. In the project, we would investigate celltype-specific changes, including microexon splicing, resulting in abnormal neuronal connectivity and activity at various stages of development of the human brain organoid. Insights gained during this project may enable us to develop techniques to learn about other disorders as well.

Pallavi Gupta (July, 2022)

Shubham Goel, has been selected for Prime minister’s research fellowship via lateral entry scheme. He is a keen enthusiast in clean and alternate energy field. He has been associated with this since his masters and currently working in the same field to contribute something meaningful in this research area.

The broad area of his research is coal/biomass gasification. Our country has a huge reserve of coal, as per survey done by various agencies coal is and will be primary contributor to the energy production, be it electricity, heat, or other various derived forms. So, we as a country are dependent on coal in near foreseeable future for energy purposes. Using untreated coal directly as fuel poses a lot of environmental and technical challenges.

Thus comes the gasification process which convers the dirty solid fuel into a clean gaseous fuel. He is working on methods and techniques to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the process. This research will enable us to use coal sustainably without the environmental detrimental effects.

PMRF is India’s one of the prestigious fellowships which can be awarded to a research scholar. It will give him a global platform to represent his research and a wide peer network will be created with the same. I am forever grateful to my supervisors Prof Shantanu Roy, Prof Suresh Batia, and Prof. Victor Rudolph for their constant guidance and support.

Shubham Goel (July, 2022)