Mr. Suvendu Ojha | Bacteriology | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.

Mr. Suvendu Ojha is a dedicated microbiologist specializing in antimicrobial resistance and bacterial pathogenesis. Currently completing his Ph.D. at BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India, his research focuses on efflux-mediated drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. With expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, biophysical techniques, and antimicrobial drug discovery, he has contributed to multiple high-impact publications and a patent. His work has led to the identification of FDA-approved drug candidates that restore antibiotic susceptibility in MDR bacteria. He has also actively participated in COVID-19 testing at BSL-3 facilities and presented his research at various scientific forums.

Publication Profile

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Educational Details

• Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Microbiology) (Expected: March 2025)

  • Institution: BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India

  • Thesis Title: Targeting Efflux-Mediated Drug Resistance in S. aureus to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Existing Antibiotics

  • Supervisor: Dr. Tushar Kant Beuria

• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany (January 2018)

  • Institution: Sambalpur University, India

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Botany (January 2016)

  • Institution: Udayanath Autonomous College of Science and Technology, India

Professional Experience

Junior/Senior Research Fellow (January 2019 – Present)
BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India

• Conducting research on efflux-mediated drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, with a focus on developing strategies to restore antibiotic susceptibility.

• Expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, biophysical techniques, and drug discovery methodologies.

• Experienced in working with BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, including COVID-19 testing.

• Designed and optimized high-throughput screening assays for identifying novel efflux pump inhibitors.

• Worked with murine subcutaneous infection models to study bacterial pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.

Research Interest

• Investigate efflux-mediated drug resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.

• Develop and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as efflux pump inhibitors to enhance antibiotic efficacy.

• Explore biofilm inhibition mechanisms in bacterial infections.

• Understand immune responses and bacterial pathogenesis to design novel therapeutic interventions.

• Apply biophysical and biochemical techniques to study protein-drug interactions.

Top Noted Publication

1. Efflux Pump Modulation by Montelukast and Its Roles in Restoring Antibiotic Susceptibility in Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

📌 Authors: S. Ojha, S. Sinsinwar, P. Chatterjee, S. Biswal, P. Pradhan, T.K. Beuria
📌 Journal: eBioMedicine (The Lancet)
📌 Volume & DOI: eBioMedicine 114, 105658 (2025)
📌 Summary:

• Investigates Montelukast, an FDA-approved drug, as a potential efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR S. aureus).

• Demonstrates that Montelukast enhances antibiotic susceptibility by modulating bacterial efflux pumps.

• Utilizes biophysical assays and molecular docking to confirm Montelukast’s interaction with bacterial efflux proteins.

• Implications: Provides a promising combination therapy to counteract antibiotic resistance in S. aureus.

2. Ajoene: A Natural Compound with Enhanced Antimycobacterial and Antibiofilm Properties Mediated by Efflux Pump Modulation and ROS Generation Against M. Smegmatis

📌 Authors: A. Sarangi, B.S. Das, I. Pahuja, S. Ojha, V. Singh, S. Giri, A. Bhaskar
📌 Journal: Archives of Microbiology
📌 Volume & Pages: 206 (12), 1-22 (2024)
📌 Summary:

• Explores Ajoene, a sulfur-containing compound from garlic, as an efflux pump inhibitor in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

• Demonstrates dual action of Ajoene:

  • Efflux pump inhibition, leading to increased antibiotic retention inside bacterial cells.

  • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation, causing bacterial stress and enhanced cell death.

• Findings suggest that Ajoene has strong antibiofilm properties, making it a promising natural antimicrobial agent for tuberculosis drug development.

3. Thymol as a Biofilm and Efflux Pump Inhibitor: A Dual-Action Approach to Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis

📌 Authors: B. Shankar Das, A. Sarangi, I. Pahuja, V. Singh, S. Ojha, S. Giri, A. Bhaskar
📌 Journal: Cell Biochemistry and Function
📌 Volume & DOI: 42 (8), e70030 (2024)
📌 Summary:

• Investigates Thymol, a natural phenolic compound, as a potent efflux pump and biofilm inhibitor against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• Shows that Thymol disrupts bacterial biofilms, thereby enhancing antibiotic penetration.

• Provides mechanistic insights into how Thymol modulates bacterial efflux pumps, improving antibiotic efficacy.

• Potential application: Could be developed as a natural adjuvant therapy to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Conclusion

Mr. Suvendu Ojha is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering work in antimicrobial resistance, high-impact publications, and expertise in microbiology and drug discovery. His research is highly translational, with potential real-world applications in infectious disease treatment. While he can enhance his profile through greater leadership roles and independent funding, his existing contributions make him a highly suitable candidate for this award.