Rounak Kumawat – Discover the Future of Microbial Genomics and Cancer Biology

Rounak Kumawat
Research Intern

Research Interest

• Microbial Genomics, Viromic and Pathogen Evolution
• Molecular Biotechnology and Genome Analysis
• Cancer Biology

Education

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Master of Science in Biotechnology (CGPA: 8.31/10.0)
2022–2024

Mohanlal Sukhadia University
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Bachelor of Science in Biology (CGPA: 7.81/10.0)
2019–2022

Work Experience

CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
Project Associate I (under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Narayan), New Delhi
Nov 2024 – Present

• Involved in genomic surveillance projects, providing a strong foundation in computational and molecular biology techniques.
• Contributing to the analysis of genomic data for monitoring and understanding microbial evolution and resistance mechanisms.

CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
Research Intern (under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Narayan), New Delhi
May 2024 – Sept 2024

• Comparative genome analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates.
• Studied AMR gene distribution, SNP variations, and ANI for evolutionary studies.

Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)
Research Intern (under the guidance of Dr. Sweety Samal), Faridabad, Haryana
Oct 2021 – Dec 2021

• Studied influenza virus classification and disease mechanisms.
• Contributed to research on vaccine and drug development strategies.

Technical Skills

• Experimental and Laboratory Techniques: Molecular Docking, Nucleic Acid Isolation (from Plant, Animal, and Bacterial Cells), SDS-PAGE, ELISA, Radial Immunodiffusion
• Bioinformatics and Computational Expertise: Strong command of Bash scripting; beginner-level Python with the ability to write simple scripts; experienced with bioinformatics tools such as Prokka, Abricate, and Roary on Linux environments
• Instrumentation and Biotechnology Applications: Thermocycler (PCR), Spectrophotometer, Plant Tissue Culture

Certificates

• One-Month Workshop on Data Science for Biologists, bioinfo.guru — Learned Python basics and biological applications (March 3–28, 2025)
• One Week Online Workshop on Intermediate & Advanced Structural Bioinformatics, KIT’s College of Engineering, Kolhapur (2023)
• 5-Day Training on Tools and Techniques in Molecular Biology, DHSGU, Sagar (Jan 2024)

Accomplishments & Leadership

• Class Representative, B.Sc. Biology (2019–2022)
• N.S.S. Volunteer – Certificate with ’A’ grade
• CSIR-IGIB Volunteer – Assisted during Open Day events
• District Level Football Player – Represented at district level
• Active participation in Chess and Basketball

Projects

Comparative Genome Analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates
Microbiology and Bioinformatics

• Performed comprehensive pan-genome analysis using BPGA to assess core, accessory, and unique gene distributions across 649 complete genomes.
• Identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and constructed phylogenetic trees to elucidate evolutionary relationships.
• Employed FastANI for whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) comparisons to evaluate genomic similarity.
• Utilized Roary for gene presence/absence matrix generation and core genome alignment.
• Conducted virulence factor and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene profiling using Abricate with curated databases.

Antimicrobial Activities from Thorn Extracts of Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Phytochemistry

• Prepared thorn extracts using different solvents, including water, methanol, and ethanol.
• Analyzed the presence of bioactive phytochemicals and investigated their molecular interactions through docking studies.
• Conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method against a panel of bacterial pathogens (e.g., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

References

• Dr. Jitendra Narayan, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IGIB
• Dr. Yogendra Singh Sehra, Sr. Assistant Professor, Government College Rajgarh(Alwar)
• Dr. C.P. Upadhyay, Assistant Professor, DHSGSU

Skills

Molecular Docking, Nucleic Acid Isolation, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, Bioinformatics, Bash scripting, Python, Prokka, Roary, Thermocycler, Spectrophotometer, Plant Tissue Culture

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Cover Letter:

I am writing to express my keen interest in the research opportunities available in your laboratory, particularly in the areas of genomics and bioinformatics. My background in Biotechnology, coupled with my Master’s degree from Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, has provided me with a strong foundation in both computational and experimental biology.
During my Master’s thesis, I delved into comparative genomics, focusing on the identification and analysis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genes across diverse bacterial populations. This experience honed my skills in a range of bioinformatics tools, including those for genome annotation, phylogenetic analysis, and large-scale data comparisons, significantly enhancing my data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific problem-solving abilities.
Furthermore, I possess valuable hands-on experience in wet-lab research. In a previous project, I explored the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts, gaining practical expertise in various microbiological and biochemical techniques. My proficiency extends to standard molecular biology techniques such as DNA, RNA, and plasmid isolation.
Currently, as a Project Associate I at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Narayan, I am actively contributing to genomic surveillance projects. This role has further solidified my foundation in both computational and molecular biology techniques. I am directly involved in the analysis of genomic data, working to monitor and understand microbial evolution and resistance mechanisms. This experience has been invaluable in applying and expanding my knowledge in a real-world research setting.
I am particularly drawn to your research group’s work in genomics and bioinformatics. I believe that my blend of skills and experience in these areas would be a valuable asset to your team. I am eager to contribute to ongoing research projects and collaborate with fellow researchers.
My long-term goal is to pursue a career in academic research, with the aspiration of leading my own independent research program. I envision focusing on the intricate interplay between genomics and bioinformatics to unravel complex biological questions. I am particularly interested in leveraging computational approaches to analyze large-scale genomic datasets and derive meaningful insights into evolutionary processes and disease mechanisms. While my primary focus lies in computational analysis, I am also passionate about translating these findings into experimental validation through wet-lab techniques.
Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV and transcripts for your review and welcome the opportunity to discuss my research interests further in an interview.
Sincerely,
Rounak Kumawat