Sanju Bijarniya
East Lansing,MI
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Leader
Nanhe Kadam Foundation
Jaipur, India
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Led healthcare campaigns in over 50 villages, coordinating a team of 30 volunteers
- Increased childhood immunization rates by 20% over an 8-month period
- Trained community health workers on vaccine administration and data collection tools
- Managed campaign materials inventory and distribution for the region
Campus Ambassador
Children's Education Trust
New Delhi, India
01.2020 - 06.2020
- Spearheaded fundraising initiatives to support youth-focused community programs by leveraging social media platforms and organizing engaging campus events, increasing visibility and donor participation.
- Exceeded fundraising goals through strategic marketing efforts, personalized outreach, and community engagement.
- Led a team of student volunteers, delegating tasks and providing training to ensure effective campaign execution and maximum impact.
- Designed and distributed educational materials to highlight challenges faced by underserved youth, fostering empathy and encouraging contributions from a broader audience.
Tutor
Sumitra Education Group
Sikar, India
06.2018 - 12.2019
- Designed and delivered a biology curriculum for a science enrichment program serving 250 high school students.
- Taught classes of up to 45 students, tailoring lessons and assessments to diverse learning needs.
- Provided individualized mentoring to improve academic performance and build confidence in science.
- Organized guest speaker sessions to connect biology concepts to real-world applications.
Education
MSC - Molecular Biotechnology
University of Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom09-2024
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University
Sikar, India08-2022
Intermediate - undefined
Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan
Ajmer, India06-2018
Skills
Genomics & Molecular Techniques
Nanopore sequencing, genome assembly/annotation, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, gene cloning, bacterial transformation, bioinformatics (sequence analysis, phylogenetics, primer design)
Microbiology & Plant Pathology
Bacterial isolation/identification, pathogenicity assays, copper susceptibility testing, mutagenesis (SDM, scarless deletion), microscopy, symptom scoring, data analysis
Research & Professional Skills
Experimental design, scientific writing, lab management, critical thinking, teamwork, collaborative research
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE & PRODUCTIVITY
Doctoral Researcher – Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (2025–Present)
Blueberry Stem Blight & Polymicrobial Disease Project
- Performed genomic DNA extractions for 60 Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolates and conducted Nanopore sequencing, genome assembly, and annotation
- Identified virulence genes: ~80% carry phytotoxin genes; ~70% show copper resistance
- Developed and optimized pathogenicity assays on blueberry and cherry leaves
- Demonstrated synergistic bacterial-fungal interactions with Diaporthe and Neopestalotiopsis
- Constructing scarless deletion mutants (inaZ, syrB, sylA, sypA) for functional studies
- Research supports understanding Pss as a primary pathogen or opportunistic contributor in Michigan’s blueberry disease complex
Publications & Conference Participation
• Oral/Poster Presentation: Great Lakes Plant Sciences Conference, September 2025
"Genomic Characterization and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Pseudomonas syringae in Blueberry Stem Blight"
• Poster Presentation: BSPP 2024 Plant Pathology Conference, University of Oxford, September 2024
"Implications of Site-Directed Mutagenesis on S6PH Protein in Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi: Effects on
Sucrose Utilization and Bacterial Fitness"
• Co-author: "Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi uses a sucrose-utilization gene cluster to optimize colonization
of horse chestnut," Molecular Plant Pathology, 2024
"Genomic Characterization and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Pseudomonas syringae in Blueberry Stem Blight"
• Poster Presentation: BSPP 2024 Plant Pathology Conference, University of Oxford, September 2024
"Implications of Site-Directed Mutagenesis on S6PH Protein in Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi: Effects on
Sucrose Utilization and Bacterial Fitness"
• Co-author: "Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi uses a sucrose-utilization gene cluster to optimize colonization
of horse chestnut," Molecular Plant Pathology, 2024
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Rajasthan Gargi Puraskar
• Awarded by Government of Rajasthan for academic excellence (2016, 2017, 2019)
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for Academic Excellence
• Recipient, University of Birmingham MSc program (2023-2024)
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Mother tongue(s): Marwadi
Native or Bilingual
English
Professional Working
Urdu
Limited Working
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Team Leader
Nanhe Kadam Foundation
09.2022 - 06.2023
Campus Ambassador
Children's Education Trust
01.2020 - 06.2020
Tutor
Sumitra Education Group
06.2018 - 12.2019
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University
Intermediate - undefined
Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan
MSC - Molecular Biotechnology
University of Birmingham