DEPARTMENTS
Dr. Ravindra Kumar
Dr. Ravindra Kumar

Assistant Professor Grade 1

Office Address:

Assistant Professor, Bioscience and Engineering, NIT Calicut, Kerala, India Pin-673601

Contact no:

0495-2285475

Home Address:

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, Chicago, USA-60612 (2018-2020).

  • Doctor of Philosophy from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. India-751023 (2012-2018).

  • Master of Technology (Bioinformatics) from University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India-500046 (2010-2012).

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Biotechnology) from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), University of Delhi, Delhi, India-110078 (2006-2010)

  • Educational Qualifications

    • Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, Chicago, USA-60612 (2018-2020).

    • Doctor of Philosophy from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. India-751023 (2012-2018).

    • Master of Technology (Bioinformatics) from University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India-500046 (2010-2012).

    • Bachelor of Engineering (Biotechnology) from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), University of Delhi, Delhi, India-110078 (2006-2010)

    Professional Experience

    • Assistant Professor, School of Biotechnology, NIT Calicut (2020 onward)

    • Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, Chicago, USA-60612 (2018-2020).

    • Guest faculty of Bioinformatics in Department of Biotechnology at SOA, University Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2015-2017).

    Journals

    1. Navya VB, Kumar R, Mishra A. et al. Protein network analysis reveals SARS-CoV-2’s potential mechanisms in accelerating lung cancer tumorigenesis using immune signaling pathways. Netw Model Anal Health Inform Bioinforma 14, 120, (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13721-025-00620-3
    2. Washington A, Krishnakumar GS, Kumar R. Synergestic Protein-Green synthesized Nanoparticles Nanosystems: A Sustainable and Safe Approach for Cancer Theranostics. Nanotheranostics, 9(3):315-335, (2025). https://www.ntno.org/v09p0315.htm
    3. Navya VB, Kumar R. Meta-analysis of clinical trial on the comparative efficacy and safety profiles of immunotherapeutic strategies in cervical cancer. Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology, 209, 1–19, (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104673.  PMID: 40023464
    4. Muraleedharan, A., S. Acharya and Kumar R. "Recent Updates on Diverse Nanoparticles and Nanostructures in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications with Special Focus on Smart Protein Nanoparticles: A Review." ACS Omega 9(42): 42613-42629 (2024)  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c05037. PMID:39464472
    5. Asolkar, S.S., Anju, M., Kumar, R. et al. In silico screening and validation of different dehydrogenases to produce 2,3-butanediol in Bacillus subtilis. Biotechnol Bioproc E (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-024-00053-1
    6. Vormittag-Nocito E, Acosta AM, Agarwal S, Narayan KD, Kumar R, Al Rasheed MRH, Kajdacsy-Balla A, Behm FG, Mohapatra G. In-Depth Comparison of Genetic Variants Demonstrates a Close Relationship Between Invasive and Intraductal Components of Prostate Cancer. Mod Pathol. 13;36(6):100130, (2023).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100130 . PMID: 36933394.
    7. Vormittag-Nocito E., Kumar R., Narayan K. D., Chen Z., David O., Behm F., Mohapatra G. Utilization of cytologic cell blocks for targeted sequencing of solid tumors.  Cancer Medicine, 12,  4042-4063, (2022).  https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5261  PMID: 36125633
    8. Mahapatra E, Sengupta D, Kumar R, Dehury B, Das S, Roy M, Mukherjee S. Phenethylisothiocyanate Potentiates Platinum Therapy by Reversing Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer. Front Pharmacol. Apr 25;13:803114, (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.803114. PMID: 35548339.
    9. Fatima S., Kumar R., Dixit A., Swain R.K., Expression of two uncharacterized protein coding genes in zebrafish lateral line system. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 65: 563-570, (2021) https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.210066rs  
    10. Routray S., Kumar R., Datta K.K., Puttamallesh V.D., Chatterjee A., Gowda H., Mohanty N., Dash R. & Dixit A. An integrated approach for identification of a panel of candidate genes arbitrated for invasion and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 11, 6208, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85729-x . (PMID: 33739025)
    11. Kumar R., Samal S. K., Routray, S., Dash R. & Dixit A. Identification of oral cancer related candidate genes by integrating protein-protein interactions, gene ontology, pathway analysis and immunohistochemistry. Scientific Reports 7, 2472, (2017) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02522-5. (PMID: 28559546)
    12. Jena J., Kumar R., Saifuddin M., Dixit A. & Das T. Anoxic–aerobic SBR system for nitrate, phosphate and COD removal from high-strength wastewater and diversity study of microbial communities. Biochemical Engineering Journal 105, 80-89, (2016) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2015.09.007.
    13. Jena J., Kumar R., Dixit A., Pandey S. & Das T. Evaluation of simultaneous nutrient and COD removal with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation using mixed microbial consortia under anoxic condition and their bioinformatics analysis. PloS One 10, e0116230, (2015) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116230.(PMID: 25689047)
    14. Behera P. M., Kumar R., and Dixit A., Prediction and validation of potential candidate genes for type II diabetes mellitus using bioinformatics analysis. (2017) Can J Biotech, Vol 1, Page 240.
    15. Srivastav S.R., Tiwary M., Kumar R. & Dubey A. Bacillus sp. AKD1 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence

     

     

    Books (Refereed)

     Book Chapters 

    1. Choudhury P., Navya V B., Jena S., Somu P., Rajkumar S., Das M. & Kumar R. (2025). Biological Response to Biomaterials. 10.1201/9781003306245-10. In: Smart Ways of Biomaterial Designing Synthesis and Characterization: Prospects of Enhanced Application from Labs to Clinics (1st ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003306245 
    2. Washington A., Kumar R. (2024). Computational modeling for identification of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for head and neck cancer. In: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Role of MicroRNAs in Head and Neck Cancer, Academic Press, 183-192, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15968-8.00010-7.2024
    3. Anju M., Salim V., Kamal A., Ahmed E., Kumar R. (2024). Treatment Options for COVID-19 Infected Patients, COVID-19: Causes, Transmission, Diagnosis, and Treatment 1: 125. https://doi.org/10.2174/9789815256536124010008 .
    4. Navya V.B., Subhomoy, Yousuf, Kumar R. and Kamal A. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things: Application in detecting and containing the spread of COVID-19. In Developments in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Diagnosis and Analysis of COVID-19 Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-based Techniques, Academic Press, 325-346, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95374-0.00008-7.
    5. Kumar R., M. Anju, Washington A., and Joshua A. S. (2024). Omics-based bioengineering: Emerging strategies for sustainable agriculture development and future perspectives. In:In: Sarma H. and Joshi J.S. Biotechnology of Emerging Microbes Biotechnology of Emerging Microbes,  Academic Press, 91-106 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15397-6.00007-3.
    6. Salim V., Sasidharan A. Kumar R. (2024). Endophytic bacteria-mediated resistance to plant diseases:Bioengineering approaches. In: Sarma H. and Joshi J.S. Biotechnology of Emerging Microbes,  Academic Press,  31-44 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15397-6.00002-4.
    7. Mishra, S., Das, S., Rout, M., Pati, S., Kumar, R., Dehury, B. (2023). Introduction to the World of Bioinformatics. In: Badar, M.". (eds) A Guide to Applied Machine Learning for Biologists. Springer, Cham.  105--126 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22206-1_4.
    8. Panat, S., Kumar, R. (2023). Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & ML. In: Badar, M.". (eds) A Guide to Applied Machine Learning for Biologists. Springer, Cham. 127–146 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22206-1_5.
    9. Cherian, J.M., Kumar, R. (2023). Fundamentals of Machine Learning. In: Badar, M.". (eds) A Guide to Applied Machine Learning for Biologists. Springer, Cham. 147–174 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22206-1_6.
    10. Khanna, S., Kumar, R., Ghodke, P.K. (2022). Biomass Recalcitrance and Omics Approaches for Understanding the Chemistry Affecting Recalcitrance. In: Verma, P. (eds) Thermochemical and Catalytic Conversion Technologies for Future Biorefineries. Clean Energy Production Technologies. Springer, Singapore. pp 213–237 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4316-4_9 
    11. Jena J., Kumar R., Dixit A. & Das T. Evaluation of simultaneous nutrient and COD removal with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation using mixed microbial consortia under anoxic condition and their bioinformatics analysis. Sanchez, O. (Ed.). (2016). Environmental Engineering and Activated Sludge Processes: Models, Methodologies, and Applications (1st ed.). Apple Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b19902.

     

     

    Teaching

    Course Name

    Course Code

    Semester

    Credit

    Class

    Bioinformatics

    BT3002D

    Monsoon Semester 2020-21

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT3091D

    Monsoon Semester 2020-21

    2

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences

    BT1001D

    Monsoon Semester 2020-21

    2

    UG

    Biostatistics

    BT2006D

    Winter semester 2020-21

    3

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences

    BT1001D

    Winter semester 2020-21

    2

    UG

    Structural Biology (Open elective)

    BT3029D

    Winter semester 2020-21

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics

    BT3002D

    Monsoon Semester 2021-22

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT3091D

    Monsoon Semester 2021-22

    2

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences (EED)

    BT1001D

    Monsoon Semester 2021-22

    2

    UG

    Biostatistics

    BT2006D

    Winter semester 2021-22

    3

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences (EED)

    BT1001D

    Winter semester 2021-22

    2

    UG

    Structural Biology (Open elective)

    BT3029D

    Winter semester 2021-22

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics

    BT3002D

    Monsoon Semester 2022-23

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT3091D

    Monsoon Semester 2022-23

    2

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences (EED)

    BT1001D

    Monsoon Semester 2022-23

    2

    UG

    Biostatistics

    BT2006D

    Winter semester 2022-23

    3

    UG

    Introduction to Life Sciences (EED)

    BT1001D

    Winter semester 2023-23

    2

    UG

    Bioinformatics

    BT3002D

    Monsoon Semester 2023-24

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT3091D

    Monsoon Semester 2023-24

    2

    UG

    Biostatistics

    BT2006D

    Winter semester 2023-24

    3

    UG

    Structural Biology (Open elective)

    BT3029D

    Winter semester 2023-24

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics

    BT3002D

    Monsoon Semester 2024-25

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT3091D

    Monsoon Semester 2024-25

    2

    UG

    Computational Data Science

    BT6004E

    Monsoon Semester 2024-25

    4

    PG

    Bioinformatics

    BT2011E

    Winter semester 2024-25

    3

    UG

    Bioinformatics Laboratory

    BT2093D

    Winter semester 2024-25

    2

    UG

    Emerging Trends in Bioinformatics (Minor Programme)

    BT2028E

    Winter semester 2024-25

    3

    UG

    AI and ML in Life Science

    BT3071E

    Monsoon Semester 2025-26

    3

    UG

    Computational Data Science

    BT6004E

    Monsoon Semester 2025-26

    4

    PG

    Membership of Scientific Societies

    MEMBERSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

    1. Life membership of The Biotech Research Society, India (Reg. No. LM2001)
    2. Life membership of Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery Society (Reg. No. LMBIDDS17-416)
    3. Life membership of Proteomics Society, India (Reg. No. 409)
    4. Life membership of Indian Science Congress, India (Reg. No. L32501)
    5. Life membership of Indian Association for Cancer Research (IACR-LM/1193)
    6. Life membership of Indian Society of Human Genetics (ISHG- L/2048/2022)
    7. Annual membership of European Society for Medical Oncology (Reg. No.575353)
    8. Annual membership American Association for Cancer Research (AACR- 1051993)

    Position Available

    PhD: Our lab is looking for highly motivated researchers  to understand the cancer biology, develop the bioinformatics tools and techniques. Candidates having good programming skills and inrested in data science & machine learning analysis are encouraged to apply through NITC website advertisement https://nitc.ac.in/

    Research Interest

    1.Computational approaches for genomics and proteomics analysis.

     2.Protein-Protein interaction or network biology and pathway analysis for functional genomics.

     3.Machine learning and Data Science application in biology.

    4. Computer-aided Drug designing and discovery.

    5.Precision/personalized Medicine for Cancer Biology.

     

    Honors & Awards

    1. Department of Biotechnology- Senior Research Fellow award from 2014-2017

    2. Department of Biotechnology- Junior Research Fellow award from 2012-2014

    3. Graduate Aptitude Test Fellowship (GATE-BT) 2010-2012

    1. Delivered an expert lecture on “Applications of Machine Learning in Biology” Organized by ACSB in Collaboration with RSG-India (ISCB-SC) 7th Aug 2025.
    2. Delivered a Key Note Lecture on "Generative AI Modeling for Drug Design and Synthetic Images" in the DBT-CTEP Sponsored, National Seminar on "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovations for Advance Biological Science and Research 2024” organized by Department of Computer Science With Cognitive Systems, Dr. N. G. P.  Arts and Science College, Coimbatore-641048, 27th December 2024.
    3. Delivered an online lecture on " Identification of potential drug targets using Network Biology approaches " in the workshop entitled "Advanced Bioinformatics Tools and its Applications in Agriculture" organized by ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad during February 10th, 2025.
    4. Delivered an online lecture and Hands on training on "Biological Data Visualization Using R Programming" in the workshop entitled " Online workshop on R for Bioinformatics" organized by Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Facility, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research during November 4-8, 2024.
    5. Delivered a lecture on From Classroom to Career: Harnessing Skills and Networking for a Thriving Future in Computational Biology” during FOCUS 2024, the Orientation Program organized by the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology at Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Kannur University on 14th October 2024.
    6. Delivered a lecture on “Machine Learning in Computational Biology: Transforming Bioengineering Research and Applications” in FDP on the theme "The new era of Bioengineering: Innovations and Applications" Organized by the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT World Peace University (MITWPU) during 1st and 5th March 2024.
    7. Delivered a lecture on “Identification of potential targets using Protein-Protein interactions network and Gene Ontology analysis” in International Conference on Data Science computational Intelligence and Bioinformatics-ICDCB 2023 organized by the Department of Computer Science, Electronics and Biotechnology, University College of Science, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India during 24th and 25th March 2023.
    8. Delivered a lecture on “Fundamentals of Machine Learning and its Applications in Biology” in the workshop entitled “Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence (MAI2023)” organized by Department of Mathematics, NIT Calicut, Kerala, India-673601 during January 16-20, 2023”.
    9. Given an online lecture and Hands on training on " Type of Biological Databases and their Importance in Drug Design and Discovery" in the workshop entitled " Data Mining from Biological Databases: An Important Step in Drug Discovery and Development" organized by DBT-Sponsored Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Panjab 147002 during November 25-27, 2022.
    10. Given an online lecture and Hands on training on "Identification of potential drug targets using biological network analyses" in the workshop entitled "Computational Biology and Network Pharmacology: New Horizon in Drug Discovery" organized by DBT-Sponsored Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Panjab 147002 during December 21-23, 2021.
    11. Given an online lecture and Hands on training on "Gene Ontology analysis and its application" in the workshop entitled " Workshop on Datamining for In-Silico Drug designing" organized by DBT-Sponsored Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Panjab 147002 during March 5-7, 2021.
    12. Delivered a seminar online talk on " Bioinformatics and Computational Biology" at The Department of Biotechnology Students, organised by Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751004 during July 31- Aug-3, 2021.

     

     

    PhD Scholars


    Internships


    Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Lab Facility

     

    OMICS CONNECT: Bioinformatics in Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine

    One-day hands-on workshop titled "OMICS CONNECT: Bioinformatics in Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine" organized on 27th March, 2026 by the Department of Bioscience and Engineering (BSED) at NIT Calicut in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry at KMCT Medical College. The event marked an important turning point in bridging computational biology with clinical diagnostics.

    The inaugural ceremony (9:00–9:30 AM), held at the MS Swaminathan Seminar Hall, BSED, brought together a distinguished gathering of academics, researchers, and clinicians. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Prof. Sandhya Rani, Dean R&C at NIT Calicut, who delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the transformative role of bioinformatics in healthcare and the importance of collaboration among engineers, clinicians, and biotechnologists. Prof. Suresh P.S., HoD of BSED, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the department’s multidisciplinary approach and underscoring the relevance of bioinformatics in enhancing clinical diagnosis and enabling precision medicine.Dr. Ravindra Kumar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Bioscience and Engineering (BSED), NIT Calicut, introduced the workshop by highlighting the critical role of omics-driven tools and databases, transcriptomics, and network biology in early biomarker discovery. He further emphasized the role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data analysis and variant identification as key drivers in tailoring personalized genomic therapies. The session concluded with the presidential address by Dr. Jessy S. J., who highlighted academia–clinical collaboration and emphasized the importance of bioinformatics in helping clinicians stay up to date, interpret complex data, and support personalized patient care.

    Dr. Neethi R. Krishnan, Associate Professor at KMCT Medical College, delivered the vote of thanks. The workshop then continued with lectures and hands-on sessions conducted in the Bioinformatics Lab, BSED, led by Dr. Fayaz, Assistant Professor from Manipal Institute of Technology and Dr. Ravindra Kumar (BSED, NIT Calicut). The sessions highlighted how clinicians can effectively leverage bioinformatics tools to analyze complex biological data, enabling better diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.  Through hands-on sessions, participants gained practical insights into applying genomic, transcriptomic, and network-biological approaches to clinical diagnosis and precision medicine.

    The positive feedback from participants underscored the program's success, with many expressing strong interest in a 2- to 3-day-long workshop focused on advanced integrative omics approaches. The event further highlighted NIT Calicut’s growing leadership in bioinformatics education, fostering essential skills for improved diagnostics and personalized therapies to meet the rising demand within Kerala’s biotech ecosystem. The event was coordinated by Dr. Ravindra Kumar (NITC) and Dr. Neethi R. Krishnan (KMCT).

    Inauguration and Highlights of the event