Nikunj Khelurkar

-Conducted water sampling at an altitude of 11,200 ft above sea level in greater Himalayan region and other locations on the river Ganges -Executed Dead End Ultrafiltration (CDC protocol) using Kidney Dialysis filter to capture pathogens in the water -Independently performed processing of metagenomic sampling using filters of different size for capturing bacteria and viruses for RNA extraction (metatranscriptomics) to understand microbial ecology in the Ganges - Drafted a protocol for Bioaerosols sampling using Bobcat air sampler and conducted pilot experiments

-Conducting literature reviews, performing calculations and modeling, presenting scientific data and research progress to the group -Led a team from Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur, India to conduct water sampling on river Ganges and air quality sampling, from areas prone to high population density and public health risk during summer 2016 -Collaborate with other researchers in the group to perform microbiological assays -Working in Lab to conduct physicochemical and microbiological parameter testing, Nueclic acid extraction and RT-PCR of water samples

-Trained in the basic functioning of RMC plant, concrete mix designs and working of concrete pumps at construction sites for Sustainable and Low Impact Development (LID) of infrastructure