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 is currently selected as a team member in the NANOPLANT project and her main interest is the characterization and application of neoteric green solvents such as ionic liquids and eutectic systems. In the NANOPLANT project, Mónia will focus 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. MEENA BISHT
POSTDOC
Meena Bisht joined the NANOPLANT team in August 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow in the SONATA project. 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 is currently 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. 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.
ENG. GABRIELA MAJCHRZAK
LAB MANAGER
Gabriela Majchrzak has been a Lab Manager in the NANOPLANT project since April 2023. She received the title of biotechnology engineer in 2022 at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan (Poland). 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. 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.