Postdoctoral researcher

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher. I perform research on the production of the microbial product (β-glucan) by microorganisms (fungi) in fermentation process. In this regard, I carry out experimental research on the culture of microorganisms (fungi) for production of beta glucan (β-glucan) as a microbial metabolite using agricultural residues and agro wastes. In this context, I carry out the pretreatment of lignocellulosic wastes with the subsequent enzymatic saccharification to obtain fermentable sugars. I perform the production of β-glucan by the cultivation of a filamentous fungus, namely Lasiodiplodia theobromae on the fermentable sugars obtained from the enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. The fermentation process is performed in the shake flask and bioreactor. I extract the β-glucan produced from the fermentation medium. After the measurement of the β-glucan concentration, I study the chemical characterization of β-glucan produced by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The measurement of the sugars in the fermentation medium is carried out by HPLC. Fungal biomass is quantified gravimetrically. I work on the optimization of operating conditions for the highest production of β-glucan. For optimization, I have used design of experiment (DOE) with mathematical modelling by a statistical program, called response surface methodology. For this purpose, I have applied the statistical software, namely Design-Expert (Stat-Ease, Inc.).
I carry out experimental work in the lab and report the results of the research to my supervisor. I publish results obtained from the research in peer- reviewed journals with a scientific impact. I have also been responsible for maintaining the lab space. I utilise different techniques and analytical methods such as microbial cell culture by colony forming unit (CFU) method, measurement of sugars by dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method, HPLC and chemical characterization by FT-IR and XRD.

I was a Postdoctoral Researcher. I conducted research on anaerobic fermentation of organic substances obtained from farm animal such as manure and rumen content of ruminants for production of biogas (a mixture of CH4 and CO2) by the bacterial consortia (acetogens and methanogen).
I also had a responsibility to publish results obtained from the research in peer- reviewed journals with a scientific impact. Moreover, I made attempts in preparation of research grant proposals to successfully obtain fund for projects. I also participated in the unit meetings for discussion about results of the projects.

I was a Postdoctoral Researcher. I did research on the fermentative production of microbial products including organic acids (acetic acid and butyric acid), solvents (acetone, bioethanol, biobutanol) and biohydrogen by cultivation of Clostridium sp. in anaerobic fermentation process. In this research, I carried out experimental work in the laboratory in which I cultivated bacterial strains obtained on fermentable sugars to produce bichemicals in fermentation process. In this line, I obtained the skills in chemical analysis including gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
As a part of my work, I had responsibility to advise and co-supervise Master and PhD students for conducting their research projects. Furthermore, I carried out preparation, review, correction and revisions of research manuscripts to submit to peer-reviewed journals with a scientific impact. On the other hand, I prepared technical report on results of the project for my supervisor. Moreover, I was responsible for maintaining the lab space. I also participated in the department meetings for presentation of results of the projects.

I hold a PhD in Microbiology with expertise in Bioprocess Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology. In PhD project, I have worked on the bioprocess of a lignocellulosic substance,  called palm kernel cake (PKC) for the production of microbial enzymes (cellulase and hemicellulase) by filamentous fungus (Aspergillus niger) in the fermentation process using a benchtop bioreactor. PKC is obtained from palm oil industry. I have also worked on the optimization of operating conditions for the highest production of enzyme catalysts. For optimization of fermentation conditions, I have used design of experiment (DOE) on the basis of a statistical program, called response surface methodology. For this purpose, I have applied the statistical software, namely Design-Expert (Stat-Ease, Inc.). 
In addition to above, I have gained experience in working with the bioreactor including the control of the operating conditions in the bioreactor during the fermentation process. In this regard, I have obtained experience in the modification of the bioreactor for performing efficient fermentation process.