Good day, Dr. A. Nithya. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Yes, Sir.

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Yes Sir, I'm Doctor Nithya, uh, currently working as assistant professor from the Department of Microbiology in Axelium College. I had completed my post uh, PhD with his doctorate degree in Vit University.

I completed my MSC Yeah graduation in Doctor GR Damodaran College of Science.

Under behind the Department of Microbiology and I had completed my.

UG in Maharaja College for women.

I have, uh, ten months of research experience as a research technician in.

Uh, which is upgraded to Barbia University.

Coimbatore.

And I had been working for the past five years. I had been working in Axelium College as an assistant professor. And there I had several job responsibilities like.

Handling extension activity. Being a member of NAC committee.

Accreditation for the college and I have also served as.

Online exam coordinator, IIT Bombay online exam coordinator and further I had been tutoring from 2021 so I still know till now I am continuing that.

Thanks for sharing that, Dr. Nithya.

Professor Nithya, let's examine your qualifications and skills in detail. We'll review them systematically. I may ask follow-up questions to ensure depth. Let's begin. You have listed "Expertise in Bioinformatics with a specialization in Medical Microbiology." Could you briefly discuss your specialization and one key finding or innovation from your research in this field?

Wet lab as well as the bioinformatics application I have done. So that's how I came. I became more interested in combining the wet lab microbiological work with the bioinformatics. So in basic in my PhD I have done.

Yes, Sir, Actually in my PhD I have done.

My topic is on battery home of salad vegetables. Umm. And population dynamics, their molecular interaction and how far they are interacting and what will be the approach for the deduction of human pathogenic bacteria in salad vegetables. So that's what my PSD area. So I'm very much interested in that and I'm very much interested in continuing. So I want to work on with the bioinformatics. So combining both the biological.

Microbiological as well as.

The bioinformatics as well as.

The main key point in my discovery is that. At at present we don't have any.

Kit for the detection of human pathogenic bacteria.

Excitable vegetables. So my aim is to.

Combine our day-to-day combine or detect the human pathogenic bacteria in salad vegetables at the market level with the cheapest kit. So my aim is to produce a kit that will be helpful and this can be done by the combination of microbiology as well as bioinformatics.

And no.

As far As for bioinformatics, if I see the bioinformatics work, I have screened the sequence from the NCBI, the human pathogenic sequence I have collected from NCBA and then went for checking for.

And the sequence similarity sequence similarity check by using a cluster W tool where and then with the help of that I have designed a primer and with the help of the primer I have. Gone for. PCR analysis, PCR analysis as well as the PCR amplified product for further restricted with the restriction enzyme. So when we are restricting the PCR amplified product with the restricting enzyme then.

And that is the RFLP restriction fragment length polymers. So that helps in the reduction of the rapid deduction of the pathogen rather than going for a normal traditional method for microbiological analysis when we are producing a kit which can produce.

In an easier way which can detect the pathos in an easier way that will be helpful in reduction of pathogen.

So that's what my research area and that's what my interested and so I came for the bioinformatics.

Thank you, Professor Nithya, for that detailed explanation. It's clear that you are deeply invested in integrating microbiological techniques with bioinformatics to address real-world challenges. Your focus on developing a cost-effective kit for rapid detection of human pathogenic bacteria in salad vegetables is admirable and has practical applications in ensuring food safety. What challenges did you face while combining wet lab and bioinformatics approaches in your research, and how did you address them?

So the challenges, if you see actually there are challenges based on the climate. So when, when there is a different climatic condition, different seasons, we have a different amount of pathogens were there. So when we see in the colder season, uh, we'll have very less number of pathogens which will be present, whereas in summer season we could see more number of pathogens will be surviving in that.

Salad vegetables. So that was a complication. We were not able to.

Produce an even thing, but when it comes to the study.

Uh, when as far as a pathogen is concerned, either it is a winter season or a summer season, the pathogen might be, the amount might vary, but the pathogen remains, uh, will have the same set of gene sequences. So when we are putting, when we are using this isolation kit that helps in faster deduction of.

And uh, as far as uh, uh, in my next objective, the colonizing ability, I was studying. So in the colonizing ability, I was not able to find out the, the correct procedure I need to eradicate the pathogens, which is already present. So when we want to study about how far the pathogen is involved in uh, or how far the pathogen is growing in the normal salary vegetables.

Pathogen. So that was.

I if I want to deduct I need to eradicate what are the the microorganisms initially present in that?

Vegetable pulp or a fruit pulp. So in that part for sterilizing, complete removal of the microorganisms from that.

I was finding difficult, but after, uh, for that to overcome that, I have went for, uh, various, uh, temperature analysis for the complete sterilization of the salad with stifle pulp. So in that I found that the 100°C for one minute is more effective in detecting the OR eradicating the pathogens in the salad distributable. After that I have. After that I have inoculated my pathogenic Organism and then went for analysis and that was very clearly it gave us a good proteomic profiling. So that profiling helped me in identifying that what is the basic components that is responsible for. When a pathogen is growing, there is a protein differentiation. When a pathogen is growing in a pulp, it has a different set of protein profiling, whereas when pathogen is not.

There in that pulp it has a different set of profile. So with that comparison I can go for to develop a molecular marker also with the hair with that with my study.

Remarkable, Professor Nithya. It's evident that you tackled significant obstacles, such as seasonal variability in pathogen load and challenges in sterilization protocols, with methodical and innovative approaches. Your insights into proteomic profiling to track protein differentiation and potentially develop molecular markers highlight your ability to address scientific complexities effectively. Let’s move forward to your ability to teach theory and laboratory courses. If you were to design a course combining bioinformatics and microbiology for undergraduate students, what would be your key objectives, and how would you structure such a course to balance theory with hands-on practice?

So combining microbiology with bioinformatics, first the student need to understand what is microbiology and the key concepts of microbiology. What is immunology and what is molecular mechanism behind it. So when so we need to teach on the basic molecular mechanism of a particular bacteria or what is the molecular mechanism how the DNA is working, how the RNA is working, how the protein is working. So when a student understand this.

Then we can go for into deep into bioinformatics tools. There are various bioinformatics tools are available to analyze the DNA sequence, RNA sequence as well as the protein sequence. So when in that case, when a student knows about the molecular biology in deeper, they can find out they can use various tools present in the bioinformatics such as. The what is pasta format? The blast, the simple.

Term the basic bioinformatics tool like faster file, What is faster file and the BLAST What is BLAST? BLAST is nothing but when we know the micro sequence of a microorganism, those sequence unknown sequence. If you know then those sequence can be submitted to the NCBI and we can go for BLAST search tool. The BLAST search tool is mainly used to detect the. Unknown sequence by sequence similarity search also we can say. So there will be much N number of sequences that are present in NCBI. So we can compare this sequence into NCBI. The unknown sequence of ours can be compared with the sequence in the NCBA and it can help in deduction of the bacteria at the molecular level and we can confirm the molecular level identification is the can be done only.

My sequence similarity search after blasting and we can also go for developing A molecular markers. So how the molecular markers How the primers can be designed? Primers also can be designed with the help of the bioinformatic tool. How the primers can be designed can be taught as well as. On the cluster W, what is cluster W to compare multiple sequence? To find the conserved sequence we can use a cluster W sequencing method. So cluster W sequencing it helps in identifying the.

The help of the NCBA in blast search too.

The most common similarity sequence present between the different organisms. So most conserved sequence. We can say. With the help of the conserved sequence, we can go for developing a.

Primer. So primer it is nothing but a short oligonucleotide that helps in the and that helps in the amplification of the DNA. So with that small set of sequence can be multiplied or amplified with the help of the using primer and then we can also help in detecting the.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism. The polymorphism between the different organisms can be deducted with the help of this.

So that will be more useful for the deduction. So by combining microbiology, by understanding the microbiology, we can develop bioinformatic tools that helps in the reduction of faster deduction of.

Pathogens as well as the mechanism molecular mechanism behind can be understood with the help of this.

So this is how we can combine microbiology with the molecular biology and we can give a subject as a microbial.

Bioinformatics or like that?

Thank you, Professor Nithya. You've outlined an excellent and thoughtful approach to designing a course. Your focus on starting with strong foundational knowledge in microbiology and then moving to applied bioinformatics tools ensures students will have a comprehensive understanding. Including practical elements, like using BLAST for sequence analysis, primer design, and tools like ClustalW, creates a rich learning experience. It's commendable that your course design fosters critical skills for molecular and pathogen detection. Next, I'd like to discuss your experience in evaluating students. Can you share an instance when you had to design or evaluate a particularly challenging exam or assessment for students? How did you ensure it tested both theoretical and applied knowledge?

Sorry, can you repeat it again? I'm unable to understand your question.

Of course, Professor Nithya. Could you share an example of when you designed or assessed a challenging exam for your students? Specifically, how did you ensure that the exam tested both their theoretical understanding and practical application of the subject matter?

Can you can you put it in some other wording?

Certainly, Professor Nithya. Can you describe a time when you created or graded an exam for your students? How did you make sure it included questions that tested their knowledge of the subject and also their ability to apply what they had learned in practical situations?

Right. So the testing, sorry, the testing can be done with the help of regular examination as well as the practical application. So we can give a vet lab practical as well as dry lab practical can be combined to set up a course. So in dry lab lab, dry lab processing, we can go for the analysis of.

Uh, uh, the sequences, how the BLAST search can be done and how the cluster W is done, how the faster formatting can be maintained, as well as how the primer can be designed and how to compare the sequence, how to compare the unknowns, how, how to identify the unknown sequence. Everything can be brought into the dry lab. Whereas when it comes to wet lab, we can, the students can.

And give be given practical. Like DNA isolation and how to identify the fragments of the DNA and how the restriction enzymes work, how to prepare a competent cells and how to isolate DNA, how to isolate R and a how to isolate protein can be given. So these parts can be included in the wet lab. So this both along with theory when it combines with the dry lab as well as wet lab that helps in easier understanding.

The student easy understanding for the students as well as.

The helps the to analyze how far the students had understood the concept.

An exam final exam that helps in.

And this can be further tho those these subject it can be used in the further research for their development of any product or any kit like easy identification kit can be deducted.

Thank you, Professor Nithya. Your approach to combining dry lab computational exercises—like sequence analysis and primer design—with wet lab experiments, such as DNA isolation and protein extraction, demonstrates a balanced and comprehensive methodology. The emphasis on practical application backed by theoretical knowledge appears to cultivate a well-rounded and research-driven understanding among students. Let us move on to discuss guiding student research. How would you mentor a student struggling with a research project, particularly in choosing the right methodology or addressing obstacles in bioinformatics-related work?

Right. So when a student is struggling with any bioinformatics approach, to proceed is experiment. We need to teach them, we need to teach them how the basic tools work. If the person if a student understand how the basic tools work, then he automatically he will develop an interest in developing. Or following the concept, so we we need to insist I I will be insisting how the insisting.

And teaching the student about the basic tools that can be used for analysis in the biological bioinformatics work.

So, but when we are teaching the basic tool that helps in deeper understanding and the and that develops interest in the student further, further processing of the project. So first we need to analyze what the student is lagging and further on we need to move on and help him to overcome those problem to resolve his problem.

That’s a thoughtful approach, Professor Nithya. Identifying the student's difficulties and focusing on strengthening their foundational understanding of the tools highlights your commitment to patient and supportive mentorship. Encouraging curiosity and helping students build confidence in their skills ultimately empowers them to tackle challenges independently. Let’s discuss your communication and teaching approach. How do you adapt your teaching methods for students with varying levels of understanding or experience in bioinformatics and microbiology?

Sorry to interrupt, we're down to the last 5 minutes.

Actually.

Include the bioinformatics, the my teaching methodology will be on basic understanding. I used to start with the basic. If we take a blast search, I'll be saying what is blast and and then the full form of blast and the blast where it can be applied, I'll be saying and why we need to do this blast search, I'll be saying them.

To.

Oh, uh, particular, uh, topic. I'll be giving a basic idea of that particular topic and I'll be asking them questions so that they will also, they will find out and they will be replying us. So by mutual interaction, then the subjects can be understood very deeper and for deeper analysis, it will be well done. Good.

And what is the uses of doing this blast research? What what are the tools that can be applied? And I will also insist on.

So from the basic I'll be showing a picture of representation or any graphical representation that helps in deeper identify analysis of a particular subject. So.

By this way I teach the student.

Your approach to teaching, Professor Nithya, is both clear and student-focused. By starting from the basics, using visual tools like graphical representations, and facilitating interactive discussions, you create an engaging and accessible learning environment for students with varied levels of understanding. Moving on to your research publications. Can you share details about one of your most impactful journal publications and

Yes.

So far I have around 4 research publications. I have and.

2 are from international journals and two are from national journals, and those papers are above.

The impact factor above 2 and the best paper is BMC Microbiology where I have. Published The prevalence of Microbacterium prevalence of.

Pathogenic bacteria in salad vegetables have been there and I have around uh. At present I have around 1 not 13 sequences that has been published in NCBI and I have around 2 book chapters which is under review and. For present and one book Chapter 1 publication is under review. So so far I have published around.

Not 113 sequences. So all those sequences which has been analyzed at the vet lab work and then which includes the basic bioinformatics work and I have published. So these are my publications.

Papers are under construction and that will be published soon.

Still some of my.

Thank you, Professor Nithya, for sharing the details of your research publications. Your contributions, including impactful papers such as your work in BMC Microbiology, and the sequencing publications in the NCBI database, reflect your dedication to advancing knowledge in your field. The addition of book chapters also demonstrates your commitment to disseminating research to broader audiences. Finally, I noticed that you have experience in industry projects or consultancy. Could you elaborate on any specific project or consultancy where your expertise in bioinformatics and microbiology significantly contributed to solving a real-world problem or advancing knowledge?

So combining the the as far as considered now the basic problem is to there are massive amount of pathogens are present in and they have various genetic modification has been done has been happened due to various ecological changes. So these ecological changes is helping. Is this ecological changes?

And the the project will be my further project will be on focusing to produce a kit that will be that would help in reduction of pathogen at the faster rate, rapid reduction of pathogen at the faster rate with the cheapest cost. So that will be my.

The microorganisms changes the microorganisms to be a pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms to be a normal commencer. So the ecological changes made the human pathogenic bacteria to persist even in their non-host environment. So in that case.

Project.

Your ongoing focus on creating a cost-effective kit for the rapid detection of pathogens demonstrates practical application of your expertise in bioinformatics and microbiology. Addressing the issue of pathogens adapting to non-host environments due to ecological changes is a pressing concern, and your project aims to provide an innovative solution. Thank you for sharing that insight, Professor Nithya. With that, your qualifications and skills have been thoroughly reviewed. Is there anything additional you would like to share or address?

So I'm also interested in developing A kefir grains and that is nothing but combining of.

All the beneficial bacteria, so those beneficial bacteria helps in. Developing a good health for all the human beings as well as the society. So when gut microbiome is good, the humans can be prevented from various diseases and they will develop immunity against various diseases. So my area is my aim or interest is also on developing kefir grains.

So that helps in developing a good health to the.

A society and helps in developing A sustainable development of the human being as well as.

The future generations also will be working on with the good health, so that is mainly important, as well as developing a fast rapid reduction on kit for the deduction of pathogen is also my aim and I would like to propose a project as well as.

To patent, I would like to apply for a patent so that will be finally given as a product in case of cafe grains. So this is my future research plan.

Thank you, Professor Nithya, for sharing your future research aspirations. Your dedication to both public health, through the development of kefir grains, and pathogen detection reflects a well-rounded and impactful vision. Pursuing such projects while considering patent opportunities demonstrates the practical significance and potential contributions of your work to society. I believe we've explored your qualifications, teaching methods, and research contributions thoroughly. Do you feel ready to conclude the interview or is there anything else you'd like to discuss?

Thank you.

You're most welcome, Professor Nithya. To confirm, would you like me to officially conclude the interview?

Sir.

Yes, Professor Nithya? Please let me know how you'd like to proceed.

As well as I would be interested in collaborating with the foreign universities for teaching methodologies and.

To develop a research proposal.

Your interest in developing a research proposal and collaborating with foreign universities for teaching methodologies is commendable, Professor Nithya. International collaboration often brings diversity in thought and enhances the exchange of ideas. If you're ready to proceed, can I confirm that you'd like to officially conclude this interview?

Time is up! Ending the interview now.

Thank you.