Hello and Namaskar, everyone! My name is Sandipan Banerjee. I come from Bardhaman, West Bengal, India, a district known for its incredible agriculture and dairy.

 

I have been part of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) since 2024. I completed my PhD at Visva-Bharati, India and successfully defended my thesis in December 2022. My Ph.D. thesis mainly focused on the plant-gut microbe interaction. Specifically, deciphering the insect (Chrysomya megacephala) and reptile (Hemidactylus flaviviridis) gut bacterial enzymatic potentiality in biotic stress i.e., biocontrol of phytopathogens (chitinase, protease and ß-glucanase), plant growth promotion (N2 fixation, IAA and siderophore production, biofilm formation, and phosphate solubilization), and abiotic stress management like bioremediation [heavy metalloid(s)] using multiomics downstream bioinformatics analyses along with phenotypic evidences for application in sustainable agriculture.

 

Parallel to my thesis work, I have also worked on Govt. of India funded projects viz,(University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Tea Board of India, where Rhizospheric bacteria and insect, earthworm gut bacteria mediated biogas production, antifungal, PGP, and bioremediating potentialities were explored with field applications.

 

Currently, I am working as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the BRT, where I am continuing the exploration of unexplored gut system for possible application in biogas production, sustainable agriculture and bioremediation. In addition, my research emphasis includes biochar immobilized microbes mediated anaerobic digestion, biodigestate mineralization and its application in crop stress management.

 

BRT's purpose and values i.e., biocircular economy, zero waste, and community impact attracted me most to the team as my work experience and research interest match these topics.  It's rewarding and I am thankful to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, Director of BRT and Dean of FTZ, for welcoming me and allowing me to join a dedicated and vibrant team. Excitement and thankfulness await this new chapter!

 

I have several hobbies and interests outside of research. Playing football and table tennis are my all-time favourite hobbies. I enjoy running, biking, cooking, and going on adventures with my friends.