1. Personal Information
Name: Dr. Sarika A. R.
Designation: Principal Scientist
Email ID: sarikaar.kscste@kerala.gov.in
Phone (Office/Mob): 0471-2548254 / 9446589320
About me (brief Introduction):
Dr. Sarika A R is a microbiologist and science administrator with over a decade of experience shaping Kerala’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and is the Scientist-in-Charge of the Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC), the state’s nodal agency for biotechnology promotion. She served as Project Coordinator for establishing the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), Kerala’s first dedicated virus research institute. At KBC, she leads biotechnology policy initiatives, research–industry collaborations, capacity-building programmes, and activities such as the Bioentrepreneurship Certification Programme. She is also the Nodal Officer for the DBT-funded Skill Vigyan Programme in Kerala. Dr. Sarika has authored several research publications in microbiology and applied biotechnology.
Name of Schemes & programmes (including external funded Programmes):
Biotechnology Development Programmes under Kerala Biotechnology Commission
1. Biotechnology Research Support
a) Young Investigator’s Programme in Biotechnology (YIPB)
b) Kerala Biotechnology Re-entry Fellowship (K-BiREF)
2. Industrial Collaboration & Entrepreneurship Development
a) Industry-linked Biotechnology Research Scheme (IBRS)
b) Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur (BYE) Award
3. Support for Rural Innovations
a) Biotechnology Innovations for Rural Development (BIRD)
4. Capacity Building in Biotechnology
a) Biotechnology Post-Doctoral Fellowship (BPDF)
b) Biotechnology Training and Workshop (BTW)
c) Biotechnology Education Programme
2. Academic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Microbiology – Marine Biology Studies on Bacteriocin Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria, Optimization of Culture Conditions and Efficacy of Biopreservation 2012, ICAR-CMFRI /Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
- Post- graduation: M.Sc. Microbiology, 2003, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
- Graduation: B.Sc. Microbiology, 2001, Periyar University
3. Professional Experience/ Academic Positions:
• Principal Scientist (Scientist E2), Kerala Biotechnology Commission, 2023 – Present
• Senior Scientist (E1), Kerala Biotechnology Commission, 2019 – 2023
• Scientist C, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, 2016 – 2019
• Scientist B, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, 2013 – 2016
• Lecturer in Biotechnology, University of Kerala, 2012-13
• Lecturer in Microbiology,Govt. College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, 2006-07
• Research Associate, Kerala Agricultural University, 2005
4. Area of Research
Broad Areas of Work
• Research: Microbiome & Marine Biotechnology – Studies on microbial diversity, fish gut microbiome, and discovery of bioactive compounds for applications in aquaculture and health.
• Programme Leadership: Biotechnology Translation & Capacity Building – Designing and implementing programmes to promote research–industry collaboration, entrepreneurship, and skill development in biotechnology.
• Institutional Development: Establishment & Strengthening of Science Infrastructure – Coordinating major initiatives such as the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) and Centres of Excellence in emerging areas.
Details of ongoing and completed project (if any): DBT Skill Vigyan State Partnership Programme in Biotechnology and Life Sciences (Funded by DBT – ongoing)
5. Publications/Patents:
a) Sarika, A. R., Lipton, A. P., & Aishwarya, M. S. (2019). Biopreservative Efficacy of Bacteriocin GP1 of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GP1 on Stored Fish Fillets. Frontiers in Nutrition, 6:29. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00029
b) Rajendran, P., Ramkumar, B., Sarika, A. R., Lipton, A. P., & Anbarasu, M. (2022). Abundance and diversity of sponge-associated bacteria in selected sponge species. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India. 64(2): 74-79 https://10.6024/jmbai.2022.64.2.2327-09
c) Rachanamol, R. S., Lipton, A. P., Thankamani, V., Sarika, A. R., & Selvin, J. (2014). Protease production by Bacillus subtilis VCDA isolated from tropical marine sponge Callyspongia diffusa.Helgoland Marine Research, 68: 263–269.
d) Aishwarya, M. S., Lipton, A. P., & Sarika, A. R. (2018). Consortia of Specific Bacteria in Callyspongia subarmigera and Their Exocellular Activity Against Clinical and Fish Pathogens. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences.
e) Sinimol, S., Sarika, A. R., & Jayakumaran Nair, A. (2016).Diversity and Antagonistic Potential of Marine Microbes Collected from South-West Coast of India.3 Biotech, 6:7.
f) Sarika, A. R., A. P. Lipton, M. S. Aishwarya and R. S. Dhivya. 2012. Isolation of a Bacteriocin-Producing Lactococcus lactis and Application of Its Bacteriocin to manage Spoilage Bacteria inHigh-Value Marine Fish Under Different Storage Temperatures. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol.167(5): 1280-1289.
Googlescholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=tsbmtXcAAAAJ
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarika-A-R
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5864-8251
Loop: https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/564037/
6. Awards/Honors/ Recognition
a) Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Doctoral Fellowship for pursuing Ph.D. (2009)
b) Best poster award in Life Sciences, XVIII Kerala Science Congress held during 29-31 January, at CESS, Thiruvananthapuram (2006)
7. Membership in Professional Bodies
- General Secretary, Kerala Academy of Sciences
Life Member, National Academy of Biological Sciences
7. My Team
1) Smt. Beena D, Technical Officer, KBC
2) Dr. Krupa Ann Mathew, Consultant, DBT Skill Vigyan Kerala
3) Smt. Drishya P. S., Project Fellow, KBC
4) Smt. Athira C. Nair, Project Assistant
5) Smt. Anju R. K., Data Entry Operator, DBT Skill Vigyan Kerala
8. Alumni
9. Address for correspondence
Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom P O.,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695004