Manoj

Dev

Biography

I’ve a Ph.D. in Bioprocess Technology from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, where I developed a strong foundation in upstream and downstream processing. At the Ojo Lab, my research focuses on understanding infectious parasites at the molecular level and leveraging that knowledge to design and develop novel therapeutics. This involves identifying and characterizing key molecular targets and screening inhibitor libraries against them.

I’m particularly passionate about the science of recombinant protein expression and purification, and I use a range of biochemical and biophysical techniques such as enzyme activity assays, thermal shift assays, isothermal titration calorimetry, cell-based assays, and animal studies to investigate ligand-inhibitor interactions. These tools form the foundation of my current research.

Recently, I’ve been developing a gut-on-chip platform to study how inhibitors act against parasites like Giardia in a more physiologically relevant, gut-like environment. I'm also working on creating unique and reliable selection markers to advance genetic research in Giardia, a field that presents exciting challenges and opportunities.

Beyond the bench, I actively mentor students and colleagues, spend time on writing manuscripts and grants. I enjoy the time we spend on experimental design, troubleshooting, and project development.

When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me reading or exploring new cuisines. I love discovering food from different cultures - it’s one of my favorite ways to connect with the world beyond science.