Dr Abinandan Sudharsanam

With a solid academic foundation in environmental engineering and biotechnology, Abinandan brings a wealth of experience as a professional in the environmental and sustainability sector. His deep insights into environmental regulations, sustainability, risk assessment, and remediation, complemented by his unwavering passion for environmental research, place him at the forefront of driving sustainable practices and advocating for a low-carbon society. Currently, Abinandan's research focus aligns with three primary themes: advancing a Circular Approach for a Low-Carbon Society, enhancing Soil Health, and developing Natural-based Carbon Negative Emission Technologies.

Natural based carbon negative emission technology

Abinandan firmly believes that algae hold tremendous potential as a natural-based solution to address various environmental challenges. Through his research, he has specialized in exploring the industrial, ecological, and toxicological aspects of algae. Algae, despite their microscopic size, play a central role in biogeochemical processes and offer several commercially important products.

In his quest to unlock the full potential of algae, Abinandan has been dedicated to developing algal-based solutions to combat climate change. By leveraging the unique capabilities of algae, such as their ability to communicate with other microbes in aquatic ecosystems, he aims to find innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, clean energy production, and carbon dioxide removal techniques. Abinandan recognizes that while a handful of algal strains are currently utilized, there are countless untapped strains that can be optimized to address specific environmental challenges.

One of Abinandan's ongoing projects is focused on continuous carbon neutral wine making using algae with Praveen Kuppan, Vice Chancellor PhD Fellow. 

Another area of Abinandan's research is carbon capture using algae. Algae played a vital role billions of years ago by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, setting the stage for oxygen-dependent life to evolve. Recognizing this historical significance, Abinandan is collaborating on projects to build algal-based carbon capture systems. His goal is to develop innovative and cost-effective methods to quantify the amount of carbon sequestered by algae, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Risk Management Practices

Abinandan recognizes the importance of rigorous and standardized procedures in the field of environmental risk management. With a robust background in environmental engineering and biotechnology, he has amassed considerable laboratory experience, often at the forefront of emerging contaminants and their risks to biota. His hands-on knowledge extends from using advanced molecular biology techniques, such as Sanger sequencing, 454 pyrosequencing, and shotgun Illumina MiSeq analysis, to examining environmental DNA from varied sources including water, invertebrates, and microbiomes.

His commitment to quality and precision is evident in his work with ISO 17025 certifications. Abinandan is well-versed in developing and adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that research and analyses meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. This dedication to excellence is particularly essential when dealing with contaminants like microplastics, pesticides, and fluorinated compounds.

Additionally, Abinandan has specialized knowledge in toxicology, particularly the utilization of molecular methods to understand the toxic impacts of contaminants on ecosystems. This expertise has been instrumental in projects centered around the risk-based assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater and in his innovative development of DNA barcoding methodologies for e-DNA that target specific genetic loci of subterranean fauna.

By investigating environmental factors, both biotic and abiotic, Abinandan sheds light on the intricate interactions that dictate the health of microbes, soil, and groundwater biome. Employing state-of-the-art approaches like environmental omics, he deciphers the underlying mechanisms of these stresses, formulating strategies for effective risk management and mitigation.

Soil Health Improvement

Abinandan recognizes the significance of soil health in achieving a sustainable and low-carbon society. He is actively involved in projects aimed at improving soil performance through the use of novel materials and approaches.

In collaboration with experts in the field, such as Dr. Anita Kenday Sivaram and Prof. Megh, Abinandan works on evaluating alternative rhizobial carriers for enhancing soil health. By testing the efficacy of these novel materials, he aims to promote optimal rhizobial strain population and growth, leading to improved soil health. This research contributes to sustainable agricultural practices by enhancing nutrient cycling, promoting plant growth, and reducing the need for chemical inputs.

By enhancing soil health, he aims to optimize resource utilization, minimize waste, and foster sustainable agriculture practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support long-term environmental sustainability.

Circular Approach for a Low-Carbon Society

Abinandan is a strong advocate for adopting a circular approach as a pathway towards a low-carbon society. His research and expertise focus on utilizing bioresources and promoting sustainable practices that minimize emissions and optimize resource utilization.

By leveraging bioresources, Abinandan aims to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices in various sectors, including energy and waste management. His work includes developing novel technologies to remediate mine effluent, recover resources through bioenergy generation, and promote sustainable mining practices.

Through the application of circular bioeconomy principles, Abinandan aims to minimize waste generation and create closed-loop systems that maximize resource efficiency. By actively engaging in research and project collaborations, he strives to contribute to the transition towards a low-carbon society by implementing circular approaches across different industries and sectors.

Abinandan's expertise in risk management, soil health improvement, and circular approaches makes him a valuable collaborator for projects aimed at achieving a sustainable and low-carbon future. If you share his vision and are interested in collaborating, please feel free to reach out to him. Together, we can drive positive change and contribute to a greener and more resilient planet.