Highlights:I have been working on plant-microbe interaction since my PhD (Gauhati University, Guwahati, India, 2015) wherein, I studied mycorrhizal-plant-fungal leaf pathogen tripartite interaction along with soil microbial community research study. My first post-doctoral study in CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, India (Feb 2016–Jan 2017) was to study the impact of novel PGPR on plant fitness and ecology under high alkaline environment. My second post-doctoral study (Jan 2017 – Jan 2019) at department of ecology and evolution, university of Chicago (Advisor: Dr. Joy M. Bergelson, Chair & Professor) was about establishing synthetic microbial (bacterial, fungal, oomycetes) community for improved plant fitness against stress conditions (Plant-microbiome study). I have experience in identification, characterization of microbes, plant-microbe/microbiome interaction under greenhouse/field condition, microbial community analysis, data analysis using R and SPSS. I have also discovered a novel fungal plant pathogen (DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2013.08.003) and co-invented method for its detection (Patent 2991/DEL/2014). In addition, I have completed 2 months online training for data science using R (for details, please go through my CV attached herewith the application). My personal skills include good written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. I am an enthusiastic and diligent researcher who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment both as a team and an independent. I have listed complete set of skills, educational background and experience in the enclosed curriculum vitae. I have J-1 visa and DS-2019 (sponsored by university of Chicago) valid up to Jan 2020 and 2021 respectively. My current post-doctoral fellowship tenure ends on Jan 31, 2019. So, if after the selection process, the recruitment members feel that my candidature is suitable for the position, then, I am ready to start immediately (i.e., Feb 01, 2019).

Skills:Microbiology - quality control, Plant and soil microbial ecology, Data analysis (R, SPSS and Origin 8 Pro), Bio-informatics (BLAST, MEGA 5, Gel Compar II 6.5), Bioinformatics (PAUP, Mr. Bayes, DnaSP), Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Post-hoc tests), co-relation and regression analysis, PCR & qPCR, Element analysis (C, N, P, K, Na, Ca), Sanger-seq based microbial community analysis, Phylogenetic analysis, Soil compost plant physico-chemical characteristic, Quantification of soil extra-cellular enzymes, Quantification of plant defense enzymes, Isolate, characterize and Identify microbe, Aerobic/Anaerobic Bacterial and Fungal, Maintained MCF-7 & A431 carcinoma cell lines

Goal:my overall research goal is to answer the questions pertinent to microbial ecology and how the microbes benefits the host and the associated environment.

Honor:Achievement Co-discoverer novel plant leaf fungal pathogen species of Cercospora 2013 Co-inventor of India patent on oligonucleotides and method of detection of Cercospora sp. 2014 International English Language Testing System (I.E.L.T.S.) – General Test 2016 Reference Number: IN001-096352-0110; Candidate Number: 107923 Overall – 7.5 (Listening – 8.5; Reading – 7.5; Writing – 6.5; Speaking – 7.0) Awards SERB INDO-US Post-doctoral Award 2016 Awarded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt. of India to conduct research at Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago IL USA Dr. S. N. Dube best research paper award 2014 Awarded by Defence Research Laboratory for publishing manuscript in PLoS One. Dr. S.N. Dube best research paper award 2013 Awarded by Defence Research Laboratory for publishing manuscript in Res. Microbiol. Defence Research and Developmental Organization (DRDO) fellowship 2009 For PhD research work

Post-doctoral Scholar 01/2017 - 01/2019
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL United States
Industry: Academics & Research
Responsibility/duty Establishing synthetic microbial (bacterial, fungal, oomycetes) community for improved plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) fitness against stress conditions (Plant-microbiome study). Particularly, the study has resulted into collection of diverse microbes (ca. 1000) such as bacteria (aerobes, anaerobes/facultative anaerobes), oomycetes and fungi from wild Arabidopsis thaliana plants of mid-west regions of USA.
I have been working on establishing synthetic microbial (bacterial, fungal, oomycetes) community for improved plant fitness against stress conditions (Plant-microbiome study) has led to understand that mother nature itself has all the solutions to any challenge and that is why, she has created microbes. Particularly, the plant-microbiome study has resulted into collection of diverse microbes such as bacteria (aerobes, anaerobes/facultative anaerobes), oomycetes and fungi from wild Arabidopsis thaliana plants of mid-west regions of USA. We are beginning to understand that the host harbor huge and varied number of microbes with exceptions of similarity playing significant roles in the earlier’ s fitness. Major achievement Identification and special level characterization of close to 1000 isolates of bacteria (facultative/anaerobic facultative), fungi and Oomycetes. High-throughput experiment of individual inoculation microbes for plant's fitness Skills Data analysis using R (Data manipulation, exploration and visualization), Statistical (Descriptive statistics, logistic and linear regression, cluster analysis, correlation etc.) analysis using R, SPSS and Origin8; Microbial community analysis; Microbial culture development--
Research Associate 02/2016 - 01/2017
CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
Industry: Research
Explored the influence of PGPR (Ochrobactrum sp.) on plant (Maize) under stress (drought) condition at molecular, physiological biochemical, root anatomical, and ecological levels to help understand the mechanism of how PGPR benefits plant's health.
Major Achievements Established that PGPR (Ochrobactrum sp.) predominantly influence Abscisic acid cycle in promoting phyto-beneficial impact in Maize towards water stress. Skills High-throughput plant-bacteria interaction test; Data manipulation, exploration and visualization), Statistical (Descriptive statistics, logistic and linear regression, cluster analysis, correlation etc.--
Research Fellow 10/2009 - 06/2014
Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur, Assam India
Industry: Research
Study on molecular and physiological plant-microbe interaction viz. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-Plant-Cercospora tezpurensis tripartite interaction; Microbial diversity study using Denatured Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rhizospheric soil, and bacteria and fungi in vermicomposting.
Major Achievements Dr. S.N. Dube best research paper award, 2014 for “Mohammad Haneef Khan*, Mukesh K. Meghvansi*, Rajeev Gupta, Vijay Veer, Lokendra Singh and M. C. Kalita. 2014. Foliar spray with vermiwash modifies the arbuscular mycorrhizal dependency and nutrient stoichiometry of bhut jolokia (Capsicum assamicum). PLoS One 9(3): e92318. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092318”. Dr. S.N. Dube best research paper award, 2013 for “M.K. Meghvansi, Md. Haneef Khan, Rajeev Gupta and Vijay Veer. 2013. Identification of new species of Cercospora causing leaf spot disease in Capsicum assamicum in northeastern India. Research in Microbiology 164(9): 894–902”. A patent (no. 2991/DEL/2014) entitled “Oligonucleotide primer sequences for cercosporin toxin biosynthesis (CTB) genes and method of detection of Cercospora species” has been granted from Indian Patent Office, New Delhi. Co-discovered of a novel fungal foliar phytopathogen namely, Cercospora tezpurensis. Skills Microbial community analysis; Statistical (Data manipulation, exploration and visualization, Descriptive statistics, logistic and linear regression, cluster analysis, correlation etc.) analysis using R, SPSS and Origin8--
QC-Microbiologist 09/2007 - 09/2009
Titan Biotech Limited, New Delhi, Delhi India
Industry: Biotech
Microbial limit test of raw and finished products; Procurement, sub-culturing and maintenance of pure cultures; Growth promotion test of various media; Preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other documents like Certificate of Analysis (COA); Ensuring compliance with internal and IP Standards in conducting test.
--

Saifia Science College, Affiliated to Barkatullah University 08/2002 - 05/2005
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major:Biotechnology
Minor:Botany, Chemistry
Bachelor of Science 2002–2005 (Biotechnology, Botany & Chemistry) Saifia Science College, Affiliated to Barkatullah University, Bhopal

Login to view resume: CV_Mohammad Haneef Khan -