I have research experience in the fields of microbiology, virology, metagenomics, bioinformatics, oceanography, geomicrobiology, environmental engineering, and the philosophy of science. These experiences have given me a variety of practical research and wet lab skills. My current research interests lay in the fields of electromicrobiology and astrobiology.

I want to focus on the development of large scale bio-engineering technologies to help mitigate climate change. Through the mimicking and exploitation of biological systems we can create a more sustainable world.

Research Projects

  • UC Berkeley

    -> Designing modular bioreactor systems for economic bioproduction scale-out.

    -> Commercialization of novel DAC and fuel cell technologies.

  • EMBeR^2 Lab

    -> Wastewater Monitoring for SARS-Cov-2

    Conducted in junction with the BC Center for Disease Control and UBC, this project quantified viral load and viral genomes in Vancouver and University wastewater streams. The data collected was used to directly plan quarantine and public health measures. (RT-PCR, Library prep, Nanopore sequencing, Flow-cell loading)

    -> Bioreactor Rapid Genetic Sequencing

    This project focused on the creation of a bioreactor microbial genome library for rapid genetic sequencing and subsequent fine tuning of the bioreactors. (Sample storage, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, MAGs assembly)

  • Crowe Lab

    -> Enhanced Silicate Weathering

    This project investigated the effects of biological weathering on ultramafic rock dissolution for use in carbon sequestration technologies. This paper is in review for publication. (PCR, DNA Seq, ICP-OES)

    -> Microbial Nitrogen Cycling in anoxic Environments

    This project focused on the identification of novel Nitrogen reduction pathways in Environmental conditions. (Isotope enrichment, OD measurements, Reactor setup)

  • Suttle Lab

    -> Redefining Life

    This project focuses on the design of a new framework for life. By creating a branched tree of categories, our definition of life is more inclusive and more useful for astrobiological discoveries. This paper is in review for publication.

  • McKay Lab

    -> Yellowstone Metagenomics

    This project investigated the microbial communities of various hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. I was responsible for building bioinformatic pipelines for shotgun metagenomic analysis. (bioinformatic processes using METASpades, STAR, BWA, and HISeq methods)

  • Independent Bioinformatics

    -> Wetland metagenomics

    This project investigated the impact of urban population centers on the native microbial communities in New York State wetlands. This paper is currently in review for publication. (QIIME2, R-studio, DESeq, Phyloseq, and the various data processing/statistical pipelines)

Publications

Tanya Balaji, Azraa Banka, Daven Kuder, Raveen Sidhu “Microbial Diversity and Population Density is Positively Correlated in New York State Freshwater Wetlands.” 2023