Profile

Dr. Devlina Pramanik (Das) is a Marie Curie Fellow at the School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. 

Her research focuses on:

• Biotechnological approaches for resource recovery from wastewater streams and sea-water.
• Analytical tools for assessment of emerging pollutants in water
• Sustainable utilization of biowaste materials for agricultural purposes
• Development and structural assessement of biomaterials/biocomposites developed as an outcome of recycling, towards establishing a circular economy
• Bioplastics and functional packaging materials 

Her current project ‘Minusmicro’ (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 Grant No. 897736) focuses on studying diverse aspects related to microplastic leachates from face masks. Her objectives include (i) studying the interaction between microfibers and organofluorophore towards developing a portable detection and characterization system (ii) studying the effects of microfibers on marine and freshwater invertebrates (iii) remediation using functionalized biopolymers and (iv) sludge upcycling towards establishing a circular economy. She majorly uses the technology of coagulation and flocculation. However, novel functionalization techniques like cavitation, electrospinning and surface imprintment are key highlights. The project outcomes in the form of scientific data would be impactful and contribute to the scientific community where there is a need to investigate on the upcoming area of microplastics. The outcomes generated would be useful for academicians, policy makers, specialists in spectroscopy and waste management units. Thus, addressing a diverse group of audience and stakeholders could boost the impact of the project. The duration of the project is 24 months (02/11/2020-31/10/2022) and is currently supervised by Professor Francisco M. Goycoolea (Professor and Chair in Biopolymers, School of Food Science and Nutrition) and co-supervised by Professor Paul Kay (Professor, School of Geography and Associate Director Water@Leeds)

Previous Research Experience:

Dr.Devlina completed her doctoral in the discipline of Biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology (Vellore, India), with specializations in Resource Recovery, Applied Mycology and Bioremediation. Her doctoral thesis entitled ‘Biosorption as a Tool for Removal and Recovery of Ag(I) and Zn(II) ions from Aqueous Environment using Macrofungus’ mostly focuses on studying the surface interactions of macrofungal fruiting body biomass with transition metal ions to aid the remediation and recovery process from electroplating wastewater system. While pursuing her PhD she had studied different types of macrofungal fruiting body biomass for their remediation and recovery potential. She also studied process details like kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium in a batch and continuous (packed bed) system. By establishing suitable collaborations and teamwork she published her research in diverse areas like microbial bioremediation, upcycling agri-waste biomass, resource recovery from electronic wastes, biocomposites and nanobiocomposite materials.

Brief on Professional Experience:

2020-Present: Marie Curie Individual Fellow, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom

2017-2019: Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India

2016-2017: Research Scientist and Principal Investigator, Project Salino (Environmental Challenge Award 2015, RELX Group, Elsevier)

Brief on Previous Projects Completed:

• Project on Desalination: Funded by RELX Elsevier as a part of Environmental Challenge Award 2015, the project (SALINO) aimed at employing organic flocculation-solar distillation as a cleaner and energy efficient technique for reducing the total dissolved solid (TDS) content in sea water as well as tap water samples. We employed chemically functionalized bead and membrane duo forms of biopolymers (developed in a coagulation bath) for the TDS reduction process (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2015.01.011). The duration was 12 months (April 2016-March 2017). The project was hosted by the School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
• Project on Wastewater Treatment: Funded by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (FLOCCO, IKP0536, BIRAC, DBT, Govt of India), the project focused on developing a coagulant formulation for the remediation of various types of wastewater. The coagulant was developed using functional chitosan and was applied on different types of wastewater namely, dye bearing, electroplating, sewage and dairy. Two Indian patents as a part of the project were filed (Flocculant for Sewage Water Treatment Application No. 201841016111; Water purification tablets with Biopolymer Shell-Application No. 201941035086). These are under examination now. We also could develop microfibers from various chitosan blends in an alkaline coagulation bath, which were further imprinted to selectively recover lithium from spent coin cells (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128535).

Role as an Entrepreneur:

Dr. Devlina served as a founder and research lead for her start-up (N-Science Sustainable Solutions Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, India) which she had operated during 2018-2022. The start-up focused on developing novel biocomposite materials for water purification purposes.

Research interests

Dr. Devlina is interested in cleaner techniques of resource recovery/uptake and waste recycling for attainment of agricultural and environmental sustainability, thereby to develop techniques/methods ensuring low carbon footprint. In this context, she would be keen on pursuing research in the following areas:

• • Bio-mining strategies for resource recovery in an aqueous environment
  • Production of high value chemicals and materials from wastewater and industrial by-products
  • Investigating on immobilized enzymes to meet bio-economy challenges
  • Studying black soldier fly as a bioconversion agent – nutritional profile, bioconversion performance and phylogenetic analyses
  • Bioremediation and detoxification of industrial wastes and their utilization as crop nutrients in sustainable agriculture
  • Substrate development and their assessment on the fruiting body development and metabolome study of medicinal mushrooms
  • Fermentation strategies for developing bio-materials as alternatives to single use plastics

Qualifications

• PhD in Biotechnology
• MS (By Research)-Upgradation to PhD
• Bachelors in Technology (B-Tech) in Biotechnology

Professional memberships

• European Chitin Society (EUCHIS)