McKinsey.org Forward Program
Problem solving
Consulting
About & journey
Structural biologist working at the intersection of bacterial defense systems, viral proteins, and structure‑based drug design. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research in Copenhagen.
My scientific path began in Pune, where an integrated biotechnology program at Savitribai Phule Pune University gave me a broad foundation in biotechnology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. First working with plant and insect proteases followed by trehalase in insect gut endosymbionts introduced me to enzymes as molecular machines and to the idea that understanding their structure could unlock ways to modulate metabolism and host–pathogen interactions.
Moving to Spain as a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie early stage researcher sharpened that focus. I was part of Marie Skłodowska‑Curie innovative training network called CARTNET (Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance Training Network), where 13 PhD students and their supervisors were part of it, working towards understanding the Antimicrobial resistance problem and solutions to it through One Health perspective as well developement of new antibiotics. At the Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, I combined protein crystallography, biochemistry, and computational modeling to study bacterial histidine kinases as target of rationally designed small molecules. In the later parts of my PhD I also participated in a project on SARS‑CoV‑2 spike glycoprotein, where I used the knowledge and experience acquired from the main drug design project to evaluate the molecules targetting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Intensive crystallographic work on key bacterial signaling components such as histidine kinases, combined with a close collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, immersed me in structure‑based drug discovery—revealing how structural insights guide hit identification, lead optimization, and informed target selection. This experience continues to shape how I design experiments and interpret structural data today.
Today, as a postdoctoral researcher in Copenhagen, my work focuses on bacterial defense systems and related molecular machines. Recognizing the transformative potential of computational approaches, I am actively expanding my skill set in AI/ML, machine learning, mathematics, and Python programming—tools that are increasingly reshaping how we analyze structural data, predict protein behavior, and accelerate discovery in drug design and synthetic biology. Across these stages—from Pune to Valencia to Copenhagen—the common thread is a fascination with how proteins work at atomic detail and how that understanding can be translated into practical impact.
Beyond the lab, I find balance through travel, photography, reading, and motorcycle riding—pursuits that offer fresh perspectives and fuel the curiosity that drives my research.
Snapshot
- Postdoctoral Researcher, NNF‑CPR, University of Copenhagen
- PhD in Biomedicine & Biotechnology, University of Valencia
- Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions fellow (PhD)
Structural biology
Bacterial defense
Protein crystallography
Drug design
Biochemistry
Protein-Protein/Small molecule interaction
Skills
Core technical competencies across structural biology, biochemistry, and programming.
Structural Biology & Modeling
- Macromolecular Crystallography: Crystallization, data collection, and structure solution (MAD, SAD, MR).
- Cryo-EM: Single-particle data processing, structure solution, model building, and data interpretation.
- Structural Software: Proficient in crystallographic and cryo-EM suites including CryoSPARC, Relion, Phenix, CCP4i2, COOT, DIALS, and CCPEM.
- Fragment Screening: Crystallographic fragment screening and hit identification using XChem workflows and PanDDA.
- Computational Drug Design: Structure-based drug design, protein-ligand analysis, and modeling using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE).
Protein Biochemistry & Purification
- Preparation: Protein expression and comprehensive purification workflows.
- Techniques: Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC).
Biophysical & Biochemical Characterization
- Interaction Analysis: Characterization of protein-protein, protein-DNA/RNA, and protein-small molecule interactions via ITC, SPR, BLI, MST, and DSF.
- Analytical Techniques: Protein analysis utilizing Mass Spectrometry, Mass Photometry, Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy, and EMSAs.
Microbiology & Programming
- Microbial Assays: Microbial genetics, growth monitoring, and bacteriophage-based assays.
- Data Analysis: Programming and data handling using Python, NumPy, and pandas.
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen
Jun 2024 – Present · Copenhagen, Denmark
- Lead structural and biochemical characterisation of novel nuclease-containing bacterial defence systems, identifying highly translatable biopharmaceutical targets.
- Successfully identified the substrates for the defence systems using fluorescently labelled nucleotide substrates (DNA and RNA).
- Execute end-to-end Cryo-EM workflows, from sample preparation to structure solution, across two independent, confidential discovery projects.
- Design, optimise, and execute biochemical and phage susceptibility assays to validate structural findings and confirm in vitro functional mechanisms of novel targets.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align structural outputs with downstream project milestones in an international research environment.
Consortium Postdoctoral Researcher – PTI+ Global Health
Institute of Biomedicine of Valencia (IBV-CSIC)
Jun 2021 – May 2024 · Valencia, Spain
Conducted within CSIC's PTI+ Global Health platform, an interdisciplinary consortium focused on antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness.
- Designed and executed a biophysical characterisation pipeline to map inhibitor binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike/RBD.
- Evaluated diverse small-molecule classes (C-2 thiophenyl tryptophan trimers, RBD pocket binders) for viral entry inhibition, establishing mechanism-of-action and SAR across multiple scaffolds.
Marie Curie PhD Researcher – CARTNET (AMR Drug Discovery)
Institute of Biomedicine of Valencia (IBV-CSIC) / University of Valencia
Jun 2018 – May 2021 · Valencia, Spain
Core PhD research focused on fragment-based drug discovery targeting histidine kinase (HK) two-component systems in bacteria, a validated AMR target class. Thesis submitted and defended November 2024.
- Led a crystallographic fragment screening campaign against bacterial HKs: screened ~800 fragment-soaked crystals, solved 30+ structures at 1.2–1.8 Å, and confirmed 12 fragment hits.
- Improved compound potency >150-fold during hit-to-lead optimisation, from 30 µM to 190 nM across ~25 synthesised candidates, through iterative structure-guided design with medicinal chemists.
- Characterised binding and inhibition across the resulting compound series by X-ray crystallography, microscale thermophoresis, and immunoblotting.
- Built an immunodot blot assay for medium-throughput screening of HK autophosphorylation inhibition, with counter-screening against the human chaperone Hsp90 to confirm selectivity.
Visiting Scientist – Marie Curie Secondment
Oxford Drug Design
May 2019 – Jun 2019 · Oxford, United Kingdom
- Partnered with computational chemists to apply fragment-growing and molecular modelling onto high-resolution crystal structures, then validated designed compounds through structural biology and biophysical assays.
Project Assistant
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Aug 2017 – Apr 2018 · Pune, India
- Worked on trehalase characterisation in insect gut endosymbionts, building foundations in enzyme kinetics, crystallography, and host–microbe interactions.
Education
PhD, Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-CSIC and University of Valencia, Spain
September 2018 – November 2024
M.Tech, Biotechnology
Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (Savitribai Phule Pune University), Pune, India
2016 – 2017
Integrated M.Sc, Biotechnology
Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (Savitribai Phule Pune University), Pune, India
2011 – 2016
Courses & certifications
Selected training beyond the lab, spanning consulting, entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and crystallography.
General Course on Intellectual Property
Intellectual property
Managing a Cross-Functional Team
Cross-functional team leadership
REBBLS Start Up Academy 2026
Entrepreneurship
Intellectual property
Diamond-CCP4 Data Collection and Structure Solution Workshop
X-ray diffraction analysis
Structure determination
Research
Summary of research interests and current themes.
- Structural and functional analysis of bacterial defense systems and two‑component signaling.
- Structural biology of viral proteins, including SARS‑CoV‑2 spike and variant effects.
- Enzyme characterization in host–pathogen and plant–insect interaction contexts, especially trehalase.
- Structure‑based drug design and inhibitor discovery at the interface of academia and industry.
Selected projects
Representative projects that illustrate how these themes connect.
Trehalase structure & inhibition in insect gut endosymbionts
Solved structures and characterized the kinetics of trehalase from insect gut endosymbionts to understand how trehalose metabolism is controlled and how it might be selectively targeted. Also worked with a lepidopteran Treahalse exploring its inhibition with insecticidal property.
FEBS Journal article · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules article
SARS‑CoV‑2 spike variants and functional impact
Investigated how spike mutations influence stability, cleavage, and immune recognition, combining structural modeling with clinical and virological data from collaborators.
Bacterial defense modules and signaling systems
Ongoing work on bacterial defense systems and two‑component signaling pathways to map how bacteria sense and respond to phages and other stresses at the structural level.
Project in progress · details and outputs coming soon
Structure‑guided inhibitor design against bacterial Histidine Kinases
Contributed structural analysis and modeling to inhibitor discovery efforts, helping to prioritize compounds and interpret SAR in collaboration with medicinal chemists.
Project in progress · details and outputs coming soon
Publications
Selected works from ORCID (0000‑0002‑3504‑8675). This list updates automatically.
Loading publications from ORCID...
Blog
Occasional notes on structural biology, bacterial defense systems, and experiences moving between countries and scientific environments.
How I Built My Personal Academic Website With AI
A beginner-friendly walkthrough of how I built this portfolio from scratch using GitHub Pages, plain HTML/CSS/JS, and AI tools like Perplexity, Claude, and GitHub Copilot — from creating a GitHub account all the way to ORCID integration and mobile responsiveness.
Read the full post →