velmurugan.ganesan@medicine.ufl.edu
Research Summary
I am interested in understanding the effect of different factors on microbial ecology, physiology and gene regulation and its implications on ecosystem and human health. My Ph.D work explored the role of gut microbiota in organophosphate insecticide-induced diabetic condition by human epidemiology, animal studies and high throughput experiments. I proved that organophosphates on degradation by gut microbial esterases produces acetate, which is converted into glucose by hepatic gluconeogenesis glucose intolerance.
I joined the lab of Dr. Christian Jobin in 2016 and am working on understanding the role of gut bacteria in the development of colon cancer. I am focused on deciphering the role of hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria, bacterial biofilms and colibactin machinery during colitis and tumor development.
Education
- St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India
- Botany 2007 – MSc Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India
- Biology 2015 – PhD Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India Biology
Honors/Awards
- Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India, 2016
- Senior Research Fellowship from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, 2014
- Research Fellowship in Biological Sciences for Meritorious Students from University Grants Commission, Government of India, 2013
- International Max Planck Research Fellowship from Max Planck Society, Germany, 2008
- Summer Research Fellowship from Indian Academy of Sciences, 2006