Dr. Kunal Ranjan, currently an Assistant Professor at Amity University Jharkhand, possesses a diverse and extensive background in microbiological research. His doctoral research focused on investigating the antimicrobial properties of epigenetic modulators, antifungal drugs, and natural products derived from actinobacteria in combatting pathogenic yeasts. Additionally, Dr. Ranjan has studied the antimicrobial activities of photodynamic therapies, providing insights into the relationship between epigenetic modification and drug resistance, particularly against fluconazole. Before pursuing his PhD, Dr. Ranjan contributed significantly to the field by investigating the role of microbes in various stages of the nitrogen cycle across different crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables. With over twenty publications to his credit and four published patents, his comprehensive research journey spans from agriculture microbiology to pathogenic microbes. Dr. Marcio José Poças-Fonseca, a distinguished Professor at the University of Brasilia in Brazil, has a rich background in molecular genetics, specifically focusing on the gene structure and regulation within cellulolytic and pathogenic fungi. His extensive research portfolio encompasses a keen interest in epigenetics, the regulatory mechanisms of virulence factor genes in pathogenic fungi, the intricate dynamics of pathogen-host interaction in the systemic mycoses model, and the exploration of actinobacteria for their production of antifungal and immunomodulatory activities through bioprospecting. His expertise extends to an in-depth examination of antimicrobial drug resistance across various pathogenic fungi, including but not limited to Paracoccidioides spp., Candida spp., and Cryptococcus spp. Dr. Marcio has authored over fifty publications and holds a granted patent. Beyond his prolific research contributions, he has mentored and supervised more than twenty-five master's and PhD students.Dr. Rajani Sharma is an Assistant Professor at Amity University, Jharkhand. She has a PhD in Bioengineering, and her current research interests include microbiology, drug design and discovery, biochemistry, and immunology. Dr. Sharma has extensive research experience in microbiology related to health and drug resistance, and her research studies have found that microbes are prone to mutation which makes them resistant to antibiotics resulting in immunological challenges to humans. Dr. Sharma has organized several conferences, been an eminent speaker holding national webinars, and has won First Prize in oral presentation at the 2020 online International E-Conference on the “Novel Biotechnological Approach to Sustain in Pandemic Scenerio organized by the Department of Biotechnology & Research in India. She has numerous publications, including research papers, review articles, and book chapters. She has edited two books, has five published patents, and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Gastroenterology (IJG).Dr. Kunal Kumar is an Assistant Professor at Amity University Jharkhand. His research interests are in the field of enzymology, industrial biotechnology, and microbiology. His research has been published in several reputable journals and has contributed to our understanding of enzyme function and plant-microbe interaction. One of his most notable contributions is his work on oxalate oxidase, an enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of oxalates. He has also worked in the field of endophytes and plant products exploring their potential applications in medicine and agriculture.
