IIT Jammu - India
Author's Profile
Orcid
Summary
Natish Kumar is an emerging researcher in the field of Chemical Engineering with a focus on biomedical diagnostics. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, he combines expertise in microfluidics, biotechnology, and sensor technologies to address global healthcare challenges. His work bridges engineering and life sciences to develop innovative lab-on-a-chip systems and portable diagnostic devices. With a multidisciplinary background and a strong research track record, Natish is poised to make impactful contributions to point-of-care diagnostics and translational biosensor research.
Educational Background
Natish Kumar is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at IIT Jammu, with research centered on developing a LAMP-based microfluidic platform for point-of-care detection of viral nucleic acids. He holds a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (2015–2017), where he worked on genetic diversity analysis and clinical genetics case studies. His undergraduate education was completed at the University of Jammu (2012–2015) with a strong foundation in biological sciences. Natish has also attended specialized training programs in diagnostic cytogenetics, molecular biology, microfluidic fabrication, MATLAB, and bioinformatics, enhancing both his technical and analytical capabilities.
Professional Experience
Before beginning his doctoral studies, Natish worked as a Project Assistant-II at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, from 2018 to 2020. He was actively involved in national-level research initiatives, including the CSIR-Phytopharmaceutical Mission and projects on aromatic crop value addition in the Bundelkhand region. His work focused on plant tissue culture and molecular diagnostics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to the Infectious Diseases Division at CSIR-IIIM, where he played a crucial role in the development of RT-LAMP assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection. These experiences solidified his interest in translational biosciences and diagnostic innovation.
Research Interests
Natish Kumar’s research spans across a diverse set of biomedical and engineering domains. His core interests include the design and integration of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems for real-time biomedical sensing. He is especially focused on point-of-care diagnostics using isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques like LAMP, integrated with functional hydrogels. He also explores the application of CRISPR-Cas systems (Cas12/Cas13) for rapid molecular detection, and is developing fluorescence, electrochemical, and colorimetric readouts for portable biosensors. Additional interests include organ-on-a-chip technologies, molecular cloning, and the commercialization of biotech innovations through patents and translational research.
Author Metrics
Natish has published over 11 peer-reviewed research articles in prestigious journals such as Biosensors & Bioelectronics, Biomicrofluidics, Molecular Biotechnology, and Analytical Methods. His publications highlight contributions to the development of microfluidic cartridges, nucleic acid detection tools, and biosensing systems. He has also co-authored book chapters published by Springer Nature on biosensors and bioelectronics for personalized healthcare. His patent portfolio includes three Indian patent applications related to microfluidic diagnostic platforms for infectious and cardiovascular diseases. His active presence in the academic community is marked by presentations at top-tier conferences including MicroTAS, ADT-2024, and India Pharma Expo.
Awards and Honors
Natish Kumar has been widely recognized for his innovative contributions to diagnostics and healthcare technology. He won First Prize at the IDAPT Health-Tech Hackathon 2023 at IIT-BHU for developing a microfluidic-based SARS-CoV-2 biosensor. He was honored with the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Award 2023 for a portable diagnostic platform for infectious diseases. His entrepreneurial acumen was also recognized through the Start-Up Idea of 2025 competition, where he secured the top spot. He is a CSIR-UGC NET (2019) Life Sciences qualifier and received the SERB Travel Grant to present his research internationally at MicroTAS 2024 in Canada. Additionally, he received the Best Paper Poster Award at the International Conference on Electrochemical Science and Technology (IISc Bangalore, 2024), showcasing the depth and impact of his research.
Conclusion
Mr. Natish Kumar is strongly recommended for the Research for Young Scientist Award. His innovative, interdisciplinary research in biomedical diagnostics, combined with a proven record of publications, patents, and awards, marks him as a rising leader in translational biosensor development. With minor enhancements in international collaboration and entrepreneurial execution, he stands to make a global impact in healthcare technology.