Team
Meet the NANOPLANT Team
DR. DIBYENDU MONDAL
ERA CHAIR HOLDER
Dibyendu Mondal has been selected as ERA chair holder of NANOPLANT and joined IPG PAS on September 2021. Dibyendu received his PhD in Chemical Sciences from CSIR-CSMCRI, India in 2015. He was a postdoctoral fellow at CICECO, University of Aveiro, Portugal from 2015-2017 and has been an Assistant Professor at CNMS, Jain University, India since 2017. His research interest include value addition of bio-resources under the biorefinery concept and packaging of biomolecules using green solvents. He is also fascinated with the development of green nanocomposites for task-specific applications such as biocatalysis, water purification and in plant science. Dibyendu has 66 publications in high impact journals, 5 granted patents, ~2100 citations, 24 h-index. He was recently elected as a member of of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC), London. Dibyendu has worked on various challenging problems and new concepts which have helped him to gain experience in a wide range of research areas, experimental techniques and critical analysis.
DR. LEONARD KIIRIKA
SENIOR RESEARCHER
Leonard Kiirika joined the NANOPLANT team as a senior researcher in the IPG PAS from May 2022. Kiirika received his PhD in Molecular Plant Pathology and Plant Proteomics from Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany in 2013; completed Postdoctoral research in the University of Wisconsin-Madison USA and short-term trainings in Washington State University USA and Okayama University in Japan. He has been a Lecturer in the department of Horticulture and Food Security, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenya since 2016. He is also a recipient of a number of fellowships including the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) in Japan as well as the National Science Foundation in USA. His research interests include studying the molecular aspects of the host plant-nanomaterials-microbe (pathogen/symbionts) interactions. Kiirika has 21 publications in peer-reviewed journals and with experience in the application of nanotechnology for detection of plant microbes by developing a nano-based probe for qualitative detection of bacteria pathogens. His key focus in the NANOPLANT project is to utilize nanotechnology in detection of microbial infections in crop plants. His work in diverse research environments opens up his ability to think analytically, creatively and conceptually in different aspects of research.
DR. MÓNIA MARTINS
POSTDOC
Mónia A. R. Martins received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, in 2017. From 2017 to 2021, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM (University of Porto) and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (University of Aveiro). In 2021 she worked as Analytical Development Scientist in a pharmaceutical company. Mónia is author of 42 publications in reputed international journals with ~1000 citations and 16 h index. Her PhD thesis was awarded by European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) as the best European dissertation in Thermodynamics and Transport Properties 2019. She worked for the NANOPLANT project until the end of December 2022. Her main interest was the characterization and application of neoteric green solvents such as ionic liquids and eutectic systems. In the NANOPLANT project, Mónia focused on the development of green and low-cost nanoformulations using ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for sustainable agriculture.
DR. LOKESH VEERESH
POSTDOC
Lokesh Veeresh joined the NANOPLANT team in January 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow. Lokesh holds a PhD in Biotechnology from CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, India. He has worked in various research positions at University of Horticultural Sciences, Denovo Biolabs Pvt. Ltd and IPG PAS. Lokesh is author/co-author of 20 publications in reputed international journals. Under the NANOPLANT project, he is focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in plant response to nanomaterials and nanoformulations.
DR. PRADEEP MATAM
POSTDOC
Pradeep Matam joined the NANOPLANT team in January 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow. Pradeep holds a PhD in Agriculture and Horticulture from IPG PAS, Poland. Previously, he was a research associate at CSIR-CFTRI, India. He is author/co-author of 12 publications in reputed journals. In the NANOPLANT project, Pradeep will focus on green synthesis of nanoparticles for nanofertilizer applications and metabolomic response of plants to these nanoformulations.
DR. MEENA BISHT
POSTDOC
Meena Bisht joined the NANOPLANT team in August 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow in the SONATA project and worked with the team until the end of February 2023. She received her PhD in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, India. She was a postdoctoral fellow at CICECO, University of Aveiro, Portugal. She was working on developing new strategies for biomass processing using alternative solvents (e.g., ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents). Meena has developed an environmentally friendly, innovative and cost-effective technology for improved dissolution and extraction of bioactive compounds from sustainable biomass. She has published more than 30 articles in reputed journals.
DR. MEGHA SAXENA
POSTDOC
Megha Saxena joined the NANOPLANT team in August 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow. Megha holds a PhD in chemistry from University of Delhi, India. Prior to joining us, she worked as an assistant professor at I.T.S. Engineering College, India. She has authored/co-authored 12 publications in reputed journals. Under the NANOPLANT project, Megha focused on developing a low-cost and eco-friendly nanosensor for monitoring plant health that will be useful for sustainable agriculture.
DR. LAKSHMIPATHY MUTHUKRISHNAN
POSTDOC
Lakshmipathy Muthukrishnan has been associated with the NANOPLANT project since August 2023 as a postdoctoral researcher. He earned his PhD in Life Sciences from Sathyabama University, India. He has worked in various research capacities in some of the leading institutions like King Institute of Preventive Medicine & Research (KIPM&R), CSIR – Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Sathyabama University and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS). He has authored 34 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals and 5 book chapters. He is a life member of Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists (IAAM), Indian Association of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IANN) and International Society for Fluoride Research Inc. His research focuses on the impact of nanotechnology on plant systems.
DR. SAGAR BISWAS
POSTDOC
Sagar Biswas has joined NANOPLANT team in August 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow in SONATA 17 project. He achieved his Ph.D. degree from Indian institute of Technology Indore, India. Previously he was associated with Indo-German (2+2) LABELONIK Roll-to-roll printed project at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata as a Post-doctoral fellow. He has also published 12 research articles in reputed journals and a book with international publishers. He is focused on developing Biopolymer based protein friendly ILs assisted enzyme nano-construct for tandem biocatalysis with improved efficacy.
WIKTORIA FRĄTCZAK
TRAINEE
Wiktoria Frątczak is a first-year student of Biotechnology at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan. She wants to become an entrepreneur and has completed training as a phytotherapist at the Polish Institute of Herbalism and Natural Therapies. She joined NANOPLANT as a volunteer in October 2022. She is learning plant tissues culture, plant-nanoparticle interaction of and the application of analytical methods. Wiktoria has presented part of her work at a student conference.
ALICJA SZYCHULSKA
TRAINEE
Alicja Szychulska is a first-year student of biotechnology at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan. She has been a volunteer in the NANOPLANT project since March 2023. Alicja is learning green synthesis of nanoparticles and chromatographic analysis of plant extracts.
M.S. GABRIELA MAJCHRZAK
LAB MANAGER
Gabriela Majchrzak has been a Lab Manager in NANOPLANT project since April 2023. She received the title of biotechnology engineer in 2022 at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan (Poland) and then defended her thesis in this branch of science in 2023. Gabriela participated in project meetings aimed at improving the work of lab technicians. She also completed numerous internships as a laboratory technician and took part in certified trainings in the field of quality control and good laboratory practice. In the NANOPLANT project she will be responsible for preparing ordering lists and purchasing lab supplies.
M.A. JOANNA DUTKIEWICZ
INNOVATION SPECIALIST
Joanna Dutkiewicz has been the Innovation Broker for the NANOPLANT project since June 2023. She received her Master’s degree in Administration from Adam Mickiewicz University in 2010. Joanna has gained many years of professional experience in cooperation between public institutions and companies. She participated in entrepreneurship fairs, organized and led project meetings, cooperated with local companies in organizing events and coordinated activities encouraging companies to invest in cities and villages. As part of the Nanoplant project, Joanna will help organize meetings between businesses and academics to expand collaboration between NANOPLANT and industry. She will also organize events related to networking activities such as fairs or information days.
M.A. MARTA GLOGER
PR SPECIALIST
Marta Gloger has been the Public Relations specialist for the NANOPLANT project since November 2021. She received her Master’s degree in European Studies from Adam Mickiewicz University in 2001. In 2005-2020 she worked as a personal assistant to the CEO of ASKET company. Marta was responsible for representing her supervisor at official meetings and business trips. She also dealt with environmental issues, including the EU pilot programme for the review of environmental technologies. She participated in numerous international fairs and trade missions organised by the Polish Ministry of Environment. Marta’s main role is to promote the project on social media, build relationships with potential stakeholders and organise public relations to maximise the impact of NANOPLANT.