Namrata Misra

Associate Professor

Dr. Misra received her Master’s Degree from Banaras Hindu University and PhD in Life Sciences from Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR); CSIR-IMMT and Post Doctorate fellowship from Science and Engineering Research Board,DST Government of India. Her research focuses is on study of vital metabolic pathways and in-depthsequence-structural analysis of underpinning enzymes and their functional annotation using computational approach. The lab performs comparative phylogenomic across diverse microalgal genomes in order to identify putative lipid biosynthetic enzymes which are potential genetic engineering targets for improved algal biofuel production and also to unravel the evolution of animal and plant genomes on the large scale. It has been observed that more complete and valuable information about the function of enzymes can be gained if the sequences and structures are examined more thoroughly by employing various bioinformatics tools and databases. She along with her team members are also working on the development of various cutting-edge computations tools, databases and webservers to systematically analyzeand derive knowledge from massive biological sequence data accumulating from genomics project in order to improve understanding of various metabolic processes and to facilitate further experimental research by providing computational predictions. Currently, Dr. Misra lab is Implementing immunoinformatic and reverse vaccinology approaches for identification of immunogenic B and T cell epitopes which are potential future candidates for development of peptide-based vaccines to combat multiple infectious diseases. All selected promiscuous epitopes are studied computationally to know their immunogenicity, antigenicity, allergenicity, conservancy and toxicity potentials for the development of chimeric subunit vaccine

Educational Qualification

  • MSc Bioinformatics, Banaras Hindu University,
  • PhD Life Sciences
  • Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR); CSIR-IMMT Postdoc Bioinformatics
  • NPDF-DST, Science and Engineering Research Board

Course Expertise

Research Interests

Administrative Responsibilities

Besides her core experience in research and development, Dr. Misra has been actively involved in promoting innovations in life science and start-up ecosystem across East and North East, specifically in the state of Odisha as Head-Bioinnovation at KIIT-Technology Business Incubator, KIIT University. She is responsible for employing her science knowledge in accelerating tech-innovations and help start-ups in translating their research ideas into marketable products having societal impact. She regularly conducts skill development programs in collaboration with various government funding agencies and also industry experts for capacity building of young innovators and to explore possible partnerships with other organizations for strengthening cooperation in S&T and innovation.

  1. Head-Bioinnovation, KIIT-Technology Business Incubator, Bhubaneswar
  2. Coordinator of Biotechnology Innovation Grant (BIG), a start-up funding program of BIRAC, DBT, Govt of India of up to 50 Lakhs for prototype development at KIIT-TBI
  3. Coordinator of BIRAC Regional Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Centre to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across East and North East
  4. Member of Technology Enabling Centre of KIIT University to promote translation of research outcomes form Universities and to foster institute-academia collaboration.

Awards and Achievements

  • Recipient of National- Post Doctoral Fellowship under DST-Science and Engineering Research Board, 2017
  • Recipient of Senior Research Fellow 2012, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India
  • Received Best Research Scholar award by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology,
  • Life Science Editor of various renowned scientific journal editing companies like Cactus Communications and Manuscript Edit.

Professional Membership

  • Head-Bioinnovation, KIIT-Technology Business Incubator, Bhubaneswar
  • Coordinator of Biotechnology Innovation Grant (BIG), a start-up funding program of BIRAC, DBT, Govt of India of up to 50 Lakhs for prototype development at KIIT-TBI
  • Coordinator of BIRAC Regional Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Centre to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across East and North East
  • Member of Technology Enabling Centre of KIIT University to promote translation of research outcomes form Universities and to foster institute-academia collaboration.

Projects & Collaborations

Bioinformatic characterization of TAG competitive enzymes in microalgae with potential value for biofuel production, funded by Department of Science & Technology

Outreach Activity

As Head Bioinnovations at KIIT TBI , Dr Misra is constantly engaged in capacity building and skill development programs supported by various government bodies tp promote innovation and entrepreneurship