Presently, 20 students have enrolled in the Microbiology PhD program. Currently, the Department of Microbiology has three research mentors. Currently, the department has a woman scientist awardee pursuing post doctorate and received funding under the scheme of DST-WOS-A, New Delhi.In addition to the standard courses, the Microbiology Department also offers certificate programs aimed at enhancing the skill development of microbiology students. These include courses in ‘Quality Control Techniques in the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Dairy Industry’ and ‘Research Methodology’.The department has secured financial support through schemes like DST-FIST, DBT-STAR College, and CPE. With this funding, the department has procured advanced equipment for research purposes, which is actively utilized to train students.
Research stands as a prominent strength within the department. To date, the department’s faculty has successfully completed four significant research projects, with funding from sources like UGC, DBT, and DST-SERB. These projects have collectively brought in around Rs. 1 Crore in research grants. In addition, departmental faculty members have secured nine minor research projects, backed by UGC and BCUD (Pune University). They remain consistently engaged in conferences and seminars, both nationally and internationally, and have achieved recognition and awards in these events.
Furthermore, students actively participate in research endeavors through their MSc dissertation work. They receive research grants under the college’s ‘Student Research Project’ scheme. The research domains that both faculty and student researchers are engaged in encompass agricultural microbiology, fermentation technology, enzymology, biocementation, waste management, nanoscience, bioremediation, mycology, environmental microbiology, and more. Over the past 15 years, faculty members, alongside student authors, have collectively published 91 research papers in esteemed international and national journals, including those published by Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, among others.
The department maintains an ongoing commitment to fostering a research-oriented culture and enhancing students’ research skills by organizing guest lectures, conferences, and workshops. Collaborations with industrial entities like Q Edge Consultancy, Pune, Mangalam Agrotech, Ltd. Manchar, and Green Vitals Biotech, Pune, have proven beneficial for students by improving their microbiological skills. These enhanced skills will undoubtedly serve students well, particularly those aspiring to work in the industrial sector.
The department maintains an alumni association that serves as a valuable resource for newcomers, providing insights into opportunities within various industries. This network, connecting current students with alumni, has grown stronger, and it holds the potential for significant benefits to the department’s students. Additionally, the department offers various consultancy services, with the most popular ones being microbiological water testing for potability and the assessment of antimicrobial activity in compounds. Notably, the department’s standout activity involves organizing health check-up camps for both students and staff, encompassing services like blood grouping and hemoglobin determination.