Bio
Dr. Nandhini Ashok is a Post-Doctoral researcher in Dr. Adam Guss's lab. Dr. Ashok did her Ph.D. in Microbiology at Indiana University Bloomington, where she uncovered the genes and the mechanism behind cyst germination of the soil microbe Rhodospirillum centenum. She is now involved in developing genetic tools for the anaerobic thermophile Clostridium thermocellum for increased production of Ethanol and Iso-butanol.
Professional Experience
Technical professional - UT Battelle, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Synthetic Biology Group (Aug 2023 - Present)
Postdoctoral researcher - UT Battelle, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Synthetic Biology Group (Oct 2020 - July 2023)
Microbial Genetics Intern - Bayer Crop Science, Biologics Delivery Group (2019)
Visiting Research Scholar - Indiana University Bloomington (2020)
Doctoral researcher - Indiana University Bloomington, Bauer lab (2013 - 2020)
Graduate researcher - Georgia State University (2013)
Project Associate - Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (2012)
Awards
2023 - The Center for Bioenergy Innovation - Elevator presentation - Winner
2018 - Travel grant for early career research talk, American Society of Microbiology
2017 - Floyd Microbiology travel award
2017, 2016, 2014 - Floyd Microbiology Fellowship
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology - Indiana University Bloomington, USA
Master of Science in Biotechnology - Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology - Stella Maris College, Chennai, India