AP SRM University 2020: Faculty gets great 'Early Career Fellowship' grant
AP SRM University has made it to news once again by registering a great development.
Dr. Sutharsan Govindarajan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, AP SRM University has been awarded the prestigious ‘Early Career Fellowship’ grant by DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom.
Dr. Sutharsan sought a total research grant of Rs 1.1 crore for a period of five years as a DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Early career fellow.
The India Alliance grants are highly competitive and are based on the profile of the applicant and the novelty and the importance of the proposed research.
Nationwide only less than 10 Early Career grants are awarded every year. Dr Sutharsan is a highly accomplished scientist, having published research articles in highly reputed journals, including the most prestigious Nature and Nature Microbiology.
Through this fellowship, Dr. Sutharsan will establish an independent research laboratory at AP SRM University with the support of Professor Jayaseelan, Head, Department of Biology and the fellowship supervisor of the project.
In this project, Dr. Sutharsan plans to explore the biology of a novel class of bacteriophages called Jumbo-phages.
“Bacteriophages, which are the most abundant biological entities on the planet, are viruses that infect bacteria but do not harm humans. Jumbo-phages, as the name suggests, are giant viruses with large genome.
A sneak peek into their lifestyle during my postdoctoral research led me to realize that these phages build fascinating complex structures inside the bacteria they infect.
Such complex structures are well known to be formed in eukaryotic cells like human cells but was not thought to be made by bacteriophages, which have evolved billions of years before eukaryotes.
Thus, studying how such cellular structures are formed by jumbo-phages provides a unique opportunity to investigate the origin of complex life, says Dr. Sutharsan.
He also explains that the proposed research has several biotechnological applications such as phage therapy and synthetic biology.
Dr. Sutharsan from AP SRM University further says this is one the best fellowships a young scientist can obtain in India.
It is an honour, prestige and a recognition for the scientist as well as to the University, he says.
In the next 5 years, I anticipate major fundamental discoveries in the field of bacteriophage biology and evolution, he says.
AP SRM University students get great jobs
AP SRM University has commenced its journey to secure a better future for the first batch of students.
Anheuser-Busch InBev offered a six month internship, followed by a job offer to outstanding candidates. The company shortlisted Pesala Sai Tanmayi, Sri Harsha Tavidisetty Rajendra, Tuhin Sarkar, and Koushik M Bhargav.
Anheuser -Busch InBev SA/NV, commonly known as AB InBev is a Belgian multinational drink and brewing company.
The company has offered an internship stipend of 30 thousand per month and a CTC of 12-17 LPA to the candidates who will join the company after successful completion of their internship.
That is not all as far as AP SRM University is concerned, another renowned company Health Rx, a health – tech start-up from Bajaj Finserv group has offered technical internship with a stipend of 35 thousand per month and post that a confirmed job offer with CTC of 12 LPA to Talari Hrisheekesh and Gude Abhin.
Further, VIRTUSA Corporation, an American IT service provider, offered a position in the company with a CTC of 4.5 LPA to Yallammagari Rachakada Poojith Reddy, Nagamlla Venkata Sai Nikhith, Chattala Vasundhara, Rampati Venkat Tarun and Sai Rishvanth Katragadda.
The other company which conducted the recruitment drive at SRM AP, Sahaj Soft, selected Sri Ritika Katragadda and offered her a CTC of 10 LPA.
Sahaj Soft is a software services and consulting firm which provides simple solutions backed by their time-tested methodology and engineering practices.
As the recruiters shortlist the best young talent who are enthusiastic, devoted to learning and brimming with fresh and creative ideas, AP SRM University placement team have thoroughly trained the students both in terms of technical expertise and soft skills.
The rigorous training that the students underwent since the beginning of their B. Tech course, coupled with their talent and motivation, has enabled them to succeed in the recruitment drive with flying colours.
AP SRM University believes that this is merely the beginning of the placement season and many more brilliant students are waiting to showcase their mettle to land up with excellent job offers in top-notch companies.
Education Ministers praises students
The moment was filled with pride for students of AP SRM University.
They were accompanied by Dr. D. Gunasekaran, Registrar, AP SRM University.
The students are placed in top-notch software and multinational companies by exhibiting their mettle and flair for technology and science.
Dr. D.Gunasekaran explained to the minister the details of the jobs secured by the students in the esteemed companies and the CTC packages that they are offered.
The delighted students expressed their gratitude when the Minister greeted and honoured them with shawl coverings over their shoulders.
The Minister advised the engineering students to aim and persevere for a goal that would contribute to the development of the country and the welfare of the society.
Further, they were urged to acquire the technological skills to ensure an enviable career for themselves which in turn would enable the state to continue to take pride in their achievements.
S Vishnu Sharmaa now works with collegechalo.com in the news team. His work involves writing articles related to the education sector in India with a keen focus on higher education issues. Journalism has always been a passion for him. He has more than 10 years of enriching experience with various media organizations like Eenadu, Webdunia, News Today, Infodea. He also has a strong interest in writing about defence and railway related issues.
