Did you know that 8% of the human genome comprises DNA of viruses? Our genome is an ongoing construction of a lego set and latent viruses bring in the individual blocks of DNA and try to fit them right. This makes us question if viruses are our friends or foes. I am a virologist who sees from the viral perspective to reason out viral pathogenesis. A specialist in the viral biology and immunology of chronic viral infections HIV and EBV. Have researched on SARS-CoV-2 since the COVID-19 pandemic times warranted for it. Currently exploring epigenetic mechanisms of EBV induced oncogenesis and the role of platelet serotonin in viral replication and cancer progression. Viruses will take us into the next phase of evolution, but will humanity pass that fermi filter?

Serotonin is ubiquitously known as the happiness hormone acting on the brain. Now there is a paradigm shift in our understanding of serotonin as it has been shown to bind directly to the DNA and alter gene expression. Virus replication and cancer genesis are heavily dependent on the influence of serotonin. My research interest is to unearth the role of serotonin in viral and cancer biology through the notorious oncogenic virus, EBV.

My principal teaching interests would be on:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Research methodology

Additionally, I have experience in teaching on:

• Microbiome
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobials