Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru | Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru | Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells | Best Researcher Award

Ariel University | Israel

Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru is a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Materials at Ariel University, Israel, under the supervision of Professor Rivka Cahan. Her current research focuses on advancing sustainable bioenergy by studying nanoparticles-fed Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms in microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) for enhanced hydrogen production. She previously worked as a Project Associate at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, contributing to projects on lipid production from oleaginous yeast, microbial diversity in anaerobic digestion, and high-rate biomethanation of organic wastes for bioenergy generation. Abhishiktha earned her M.Sc. in Microbiology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, after completing a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Genetics, and Chemistry from Osmania University. Her strong academic foundation is complemented by hands-on expertise in microbial electrochemical systems, anaerobic digestion, microbial isolation, and advanced instrumentation techniques such as confocal microscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. She has actively participated in several international and national conferences, workshops, and symposiums, including the 5th MEEP Symposium in Switzerland. Her research interests span bioremediation, solid waste management, wastewater treatment, and bioenergy recovery, with a focus on applying microbial systems for environmental sustainability. Abhishiktha’s dedication to innovative microbial technologies reflects her commitment to advancing green energy solutions.

Author Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Hirsch, L.O., Gandu, B., Chiliveru, A., Dubrovin, I.A., Rozenfeld, S., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “The performance of a modified anode using a combination of kaolin and graphite nanoparticles in microbial fuel cells.” Microorganisms

Dubrovin, I.A., Hirsch, L.O., Chiliveru, A., Jukanti, A., Rozenfeld, S., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “Microbial electrolysis cells based on a bacterial anode encapsulated with a dialysis bag including graphite particles.” Microorganisms

Hirsch, L.O., Gandu, B., Chiliveru, A., Dubrovin, I.A., Jukanti, A., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “Hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells using an alginate hydrogel bioanode encapsulated with a filter bag.” Polymers

Vemparala, G., Chiliveru, A., Begum, S., Al Amri, M.B.F., & Anupoju, G.R. (2025). “Analyzing and optimizing the lipids production potential of the oleaginous yeast Candida neerlandica from synthetic carbon sources and real wastes.” Next Research

Juntupally, S., Begum, S., Chiliveru, A., Arelli, V., & Anupoju, G.R. (2022). “Relative evaluation of FeCl₃ salts and its nanoparticles on methane yield and sulphide inhibition control during biomethanation of distillery spent wash.” Journal of Water Process Engineering

Chiliveru, A., Yadav, M.K., Ebenezer, J., Jukanti, A., Bar Hanun, E., Borenstein, A., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2025). “Current generation in microbial electrolysis cells based on an abiotic anode and planktonic G. sulfurreducens in the presence of suspended reduced graphene oxide and activated ….” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Bar-Hanun, E., Hanya, E., Chiliveru, A., & Cahan, R. (2025). “The influence of moderate electroporation on E. coli membrane permeability.” Microorganisms

Dr. Walmik Gaikwad | Conjugate Vaccines | Breakthrough Research Award

Dr. Walmik Gaikwad | Conjugate Vaccines | Breakthrough Research Award

Inventprise Inc. Redmond, WA, US | United States

Dr. Walmik Gaikwad is a skilled biotechnologist and manufacturing leader with more than two decades of experience spanning academic research, industrial R&D, and large-scale vaccine production. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University, where his doctoral work focused on developing conjugation processes for Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides with carrier proteins. He earned his M.Tech. in Biotechnology from Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, specializing in bioremediation of phenolic compounds, and his B.Tech. in Chemical–Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemicals from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, where he explored the synthesis of chromenone derivatives. Professionally, Dr. Gaikwad has led projects across upstream, downstream, and conjugation process development with extensive expertise in cGMP and GLP environments. His career includes key roles at Inventprise Inc., Redmond, where he currently manages vaccine manufacturing operations, and the Serum Institute of India, where he contributed significantly to multivalent conjugate vaccine R&D and production, regulatory audits, and technology transfer. His research interests lie in vaccine development, process optimization, and bioprocess scale-up under stringent quality frameworks. Recognized for his strategic leadership, regulatory acumen, and scientific rigor, Dr. Gaikwad continues to advance innovation in global vaccine manufacturing.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Simultaneous purification and depolymerization of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 capsular polysaccharides by trifluoroacetic acid

Purification of capsular polysaccharides isolated from S. pneumoniae serotype 2 by hydrogen peroxide and endonuclease

Effect of trifluoroacetic acid on the antigenicity of capsular polysaccharides obtained from various Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes

Partial depolymerization of capsular polysaccharides isolated from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 by various methods

Methods for simultaneous fragmentation and purification of bacterial polysaccharides

Method for obtaining purified bacterial polysaccharides