Dhruv Raghunath Email & Phone Number

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Mitacs GRI-2022 Intern at the University of Regina:1. Cultivated lab-grown microbial mats to analyse the biogeochemical changes in the iron and sulphur cycle of the soil bacterial communities and estimate their cyclical changes due to climate change. 2. Performed DNA extraction, quantification and sequencing of iron-microbial mat communities for a better understanding of the biotic iron-biochemical cycling of the composite microbes. 3. Analysed XRD5 fluorescence imaging data and performed sample imaging of land mine-waste samples under the Bio-XAS6 beamline at the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. 4. Emphasized the benefits of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and their role in preventing the deaths of 500k people in the Saskatchewan province of Canada.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

● Coordinated and led the iGEM team in different working aspects of lab work, sponsorship deals, investors meetings and project funding for our startup idea of producing bacterial cellulose based insulin patches. ● Led the team to various ideathon wins including E-Summit Startup Bootcamp hosted by E-Cell IITM, „Unique Startup Idea Award‟ in the Bioinnovate Competition and runners up in the International Youth Summit 2022 hosted by Global Engagement Council IITM, winning a total prize money of Rs. 1,14,500.● Transformed a research-based scientific team to an innovative, critically thinking, entrepreneurially enthusiast philanthropic team willing to solve day to day problems with known and unknown knowledge.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

1. Diversity in Science grant winner, offered by The Biochemical Society, UK., for making a series of 6 videos highlighting vaccines' importance and their awareness.2. We further translated and voiced it in 6 regional languages. We aimed to be inclusive of all groups while spreading rightful information.3. Oversaw the translation and voiceover of video scripts while creating content for all the videos.

1. Showcased an entrepreneurial idea for utilizing industrial whey (lactose) and producing bacterial cellulose from the K. xylinus microorganism, which has many eco-friendly industrial applications, in a bid to solve the environmental problem caused by industrial whey wastewater discharge. 2. Subsequently, finished as Semifinalists in Synbio Power Pitch 2021, hosted by Synbio Powerhouse. 3. Developed a working flux-based analysis model, to validate our theories of introducing the corresponding genes and metabolic pathways in our genetically engineered K. xylinus strains, for calculating bacterial cellulose yield. 4. Further performed a Flux Scanning based on Enforced Objective Flux (FSEOF), to express or inhibit possible metabolic pathways for cellulose production optimization. 5. Gold medalists at GOGEC 2021 competition for the best overall and computational project. 6. Winner of the “Unique Idea Award” in the Bioinnovate Competition at the National Bioengineering Conference 2022.

1. Studied the effects of habitat-mediated interactions of predator and prey on distribution of fruit seed dispersal by frugivores (prey) with the help of simulation models in NetLogo. 2. Decoded predators influence on the fruit consumption pattern of the prey to eventually understand fruit distribution patterns by studying the amount of fruit consumption in presence of active and sit and ambush predators, with real-life data from North Indian tropical deciduous forests. 3. Learnt analytical and research thinking skills along with posing questions, stating hypotheses (research-driven writing) as well as formulating individual-based simulation models as means of problem-solving.

● Conducted a live from-home concert series called „Saarang Encore‟ with international and young, upcoming Indian Artists. ● Facilitated the conduction of our annual cultural fest (online) with my teammates by handling logistics of not only acclaimed Indian but also International artists. ● Personally handled logistics of „Akira Kimura‟: A Japanese magician for our „Saarang World Fest 2021’. ● Attracted a total viewership of more than 2k people over 4 days with a diverse demographic of students, professors, young performers and national and international music enthusiasts.

Puducherry, India

1. Mentored five underprivileged students studying in a govt. funded school, JNV Puducherry. 2. Guided them through JEE period by teaching them concepts in all three subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics), and all of them cleared JEE Advanced, getting into the top IITs in the country (IIT Bombay, Kanpur and Madras). 3. Coordinated a team of 4 mentors while collaborating with 40+ fellow mentors, mentor coordinators and heads.

Bachelor'S Of Technology In Biological Engineering & Master'S Of Technology In Energy Systems, Biological/Biosystems Engineering, 8.83/10

High School Secondary Education, Science