Dr. Chakkiath Paul Antony

Staff Research Scientist, Red Sea Research Center, KAUST, Thuwal-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Contact email

My research is mainly focused on applying 'omics' approaches for the identification and characterization of key microbial players in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in extreme environments. During the course of my career, I've had the opportunity to study microbes in diverse extreme environments ranging from soda lakes, hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents/seeps to the atmosphere. I'm particularly interested in solving metabolic puzzles or exploiting metabolic reconstructions from 'omics' techniques so as to better understand microbial physiology in the environment.

Experience

Staff Research Scientist

Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), Thuwal-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2019 - Present

Postdoctoral Researcher

Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), Thuwal-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Project: Diagnostic meta'omics' and use of 'omics' approaches for pathogen discovery; Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Arnab Pain

2017 - 2018

Postdoctoral Researcher

Department of Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany

Project: 'Omics' analyses of endosymbionts of invertebrates at hydrocarbon seeps and hydrothermal vents; Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nicole Dubilier

2013 - 2016

Ph.D. Researcher

National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India & University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

Project: Methanotrophy and associated microflora in Lonar Lake, a meteor impact crater; Supervisor: Dr. Milind S. Patole; UKIERI collaborator/co-PI: Prof. Dr. J. Colin Murrell

2008 - 2013

Visiting Researcher

National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, India

Project: Understanding the neural correlates of olfactory behavior in Drosophila; Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Obaid Siddiqi, FRS

2007

M.Sc. Researcher

National Institute for Cholera & Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India

Project: Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes among non-typhoidal Salmonella strains; Supervisor: Dr. T. Ramamurthy

2006 - 2007

B.Sc. Researcher

Periyar University, Salem, India

Project: Analysis of Agrobacterium biodiversity in South India; Supervisor: Multiple faculties at college

2005

Education

National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), University of Pune, India

Ph.D. Biotechnology
2013

Cochin University of Science & Technology, India

M.Sc. Biotechnology

Score: First class with distinction

2005 - 2007

Periyar University, India

B.Sc. Biotechnology

Score: First class

2002 - 2005

Indian School Salalah, Sultanate of Oman

1989 - 2002

Publications

For a full and up-to-date list of my publications, click below
Publications as listed on Google Scholar
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Awards/Honors

  • Reviewer for competitive research grants of NASA, Sultan Qaboos University (Oman)
  • Reviewer for scientific journals: ISME J, Nature Communications, PLoS One, Environmental Microbiology, Microbiological Research, Archives of Microbiology
  • ISME Early-Mid Career Ambassadorship (2019 onwards)
  • Max Planck Society (MPG) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (2015-2016)
  • Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship, Humboldt Foundation (2013-2015)
  • Visiting Researcher, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), July, 2015
  • Max Planck Society (MPG) Visiting Research Fellowship, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (2013)
  • Junior & Senior Research Fellowships, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India (2008, 2010)
  • UKIERI Research Fellowship, British Council (during visits to the UK between 2008-2010)
  • Visiting Research Fellowship, National Centre for Biological Sciences-Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (2007)
  • 7th rank holder in National-level Post Graduate Entrance Examination, Cochin University of Science & Technology (2005)
  • ‘Best Personality of the College’ Award (during B.Sc.), Muthayammal College of Arts & Science (2002-2005)
  • Academic Topper Award (during B.Sc.), Muthayammal College of Arts & Science (2002-2004)
  • High school (CBSE) subject topper awards in Biology & English, Indian School Salalah (2002)