Debjyoti Thakur
Lab affiliation: Kumar Lab
Degree(s) you hold: B.Sc Microbiology, M.Sc Medical Microbiology
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): PhD Microbiology
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Kolkata, India. Y
our research project in one sentence: Investigating the role of Two Component Systems in environmental adaptation and its effect on antibiotic resistance and virulence mechanisms in Acinetobacter baumannii
Degree(s) you hold: B.Sc Microbiology, M.Sc Medical Microbiology
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): PhD Microbiology
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Kolkata, India. Y
our research project in one sentence: Investigating the role of Two Component Systems in environmental adaptation and its effect on antibiotic resistance and virulence mechanisms in Acinetobacter baumannii
What do you do to relax when you have a lazy day at home?
On a typical lazy day, I like to read books while listening to a soothing instrumental music. I am very fond of detective novels. If not reading, I enjoy binge watching movies and TV series on Netflix.
What are you most excited about for 2021? Goals?
Since CSM 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, I am excited about this years CSM conference. I also hope to make as much progress in my research as possible.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
My project involves a lot of molecular biology work. Typically, my work involves gene manipulation, End point- PCR, RT-qPCR, and phenotypic assays such as motility, biofilm formation, growth kinetics, virulence and MICs.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab? In October, last year, I made an embarrassing mistake while setting up an RT-qPCR reaction. One fine day, after completing the routine procedures, I was looking for a qPCR plate to load my samples and found a transparent plate which looked a bit different from the ones we generally use. Since the plate seemed to be of much better quality compared to the plates we use, I had assumed that we had switched manufacturers and decided to use it for the experiment. Once the plate was loaded with my samples, I went to put it in our qPCR machine only to realize that it did not fit. Later, I realized that what I had assumed to be a qPCR plate was actually a plate holder.
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
Due to the current restrictions as a result of the ongoing pandemic, designing experiments and time management has been a major challenge for me. Because we are a team of 11 members, we have to improvise with our lab schedules to get as much work done as possible while complying with the rules and regulations. This has greatly slowed down the progress of my work.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now?
Back in 2019, when I started off as a grad student in this university, I had been focusing mostly on gaining new technical skills. However, as I progressed, I realized that soft skills and transferrable skills are also important in research. I hope to make the most out my time at the university and develop such skill sets.
On a typical lazy day, I like to read books while listening to a soothing instrumental music. I am very fond of detective novels. If not reading, I enjoy binge watching movies and TV series on Netflix.
What are you most excited about for 2021? Goals?
Since CSM 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, I am excited about this years CSM conference. I also hope to make as much progress in my research as possible.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
My project involves a lot of molecular biology work. Typically, my work involves gene manipulation, End point- PCR, RT-qPCR, and phenotypic assays such as motility, biofilm formation, growth kinetics, virulence and MICs.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab? In October, last year, I made an embarrassing mistake while setting up an RT-qPCR reaction. One fine day, after completing the routine procedures, I was looking for a qPCR plate to load my samples and found a transparent plate which looked a bit different from the ones we generally use. Since the plate seemed to be of much better quality compared to the plates we use, I had assumed that we had switched manufacturers and decided to use it for the experiment. Once the plate was loaded with my samples, I went to put it in our qPCR machine only to realize that it did not fit. Later, I realized that what I had assumed to be a qPCR plate was actually a plate holder.
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
Due to the current restrictions as a result of the ongoing pandemic, designing experiments and time management has been a major challenge for me. Because we are a team of 11 members, we have to improvise with our lab schedules to get as much work done as possible while complying with the rules and regulations. This has greatly slowed down the progress of my work.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now?
Back in 2019, when I started off as a grad student in this university, I had been focusing mostly on gaining new technical skills. However, as I progressed, I realized that soft skills and transferrable skills are also important in research. I hope to make the most out my time at the university and develop such skill sets.