STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Science has always been a fascination to me from my childhood. The articles about late-breaking
discoveries and research in the field of Biology intensified my interests in science. My passion for science
coupled with relentless hard work and self-confidence rewarded me with a quality of curiosity and research in
the fascinating world of science. At the school level though exposed to only major concepts of biology, the
terms like cell, genes, tissues, microbes etc. intrigued me a lot. I always love to acquire knowledge in
different fields of science other than restricting my knowledge in a specific field. Hence I was careful in
selecting different subjects at different levels of my education. With this determination and the awareness of
enormous number of challenges, in Science and technology have made me choose a triple main course for
my bachelor’s degree with Chemistry, Zoology and Botany as the main subjects at St. Andrew’s College,
Gorakhpur, India.

I was very successful in my chosen field of graduation, that I have been exposed to many fields of
study like organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, the methods of extraction qualitative and quantitative
analysis of chemicals, cell biology, genetics, general microbiology, medical microbiology, immunology,
plant science, phycology etc. I also got practical knowledge of techniques in the fields of chemistry, zoology
and botany in my laboratory classes. Classroom seminars were best source for my advancement in learning
science and always took an active role in giving seminars. I organized, managed and coordinated various inter-
departmental events, which helped me to develop leadership and communication skills and was always
interested to participate in all the departmental activities, study tours symposia and quiz programs.

During my M.Sc. (Biotechnology) I worked on project entitled “Biocontrol of Phytopathogens:

Morphology and Antagonism” on species of Bacteria and Fungi seen in the locality (Water, Air & Food) of
Department of Biotechnology at D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur (UP) India. The project includes
isolation and identification of different strains of bacteria and fungi, classification of them into pathogenic
and non-pathogenic groups and evaluation of their antagonistic property over other phytopathogens. The
relative occurrence of different species also has been studied. Also I have been involved in the project entitled
“ROOT BIOLOGY” for the identification, isolation, purification and amplification of “SLERF1” gene in the
tomato plant at CSIR-NBRI. After my experience at CSIR-NBRI as project assistant level-2, I worked on
project entitled “Detection of Dengue virus in the saliva samples from patients of North India region” as a
research assistant under the supervision of Professor Amita Jain at Dept. of microbiology and pathology,
King George Medical University, UP, India. During this project, I learnt several techniques related to animal
biotechnology like animal cell culture, RNA isolation from animal cells, culture of virus on animal tissue,
viral RNA isolation and several PCR techniques including RT-PCR and qRT-PCR

Even though I had worked a lot in the field of plant sciences and their importance related to human
health, a strong intension to direct my career towards research, I didn’t get a clear research direction in my
M.Sc. Biotechnology and other research period until I joined M. Tech. (Biotechnology) in IIT Mandi,
Himanchal Pradesh, India, one of the most renowned research centre in India. That is where I learned the
basics of research under the guidance and supervision of well experienced and successful researchers.
In order to excel in M. Tech., I decided I would not limit my experience to my formal education at IIT
Mandi and I selected Nano biotechnology as my area of specialization. I was proud to be one among five
successful students from entire group who got admitted for the same specialization course in IIT Mandi. It
was totally a different world to me, where I learned different advanced disciplines of Medicine such as
Nano-medicine, Molecular basis of pathogenesis, Disorders related to metabolism, infection, genetic,
communicable and non-communicable disorders and their molecular pathways along with basic practical
experience in all these subjects. For another one year, I worked on project entitled “Nanoformulation of
hydrophobic drugs to improve their solubility and bioavailability” under the supervision of Dr. Prem Felix
Siril. During this project work, I learnt many techniques related to synthesis (Metal organic framework
synthesis using hydrothermal method, Nanostructured Lipid Carriers synthesis using high shear
homogenization technique, Nano emulsion synthesis using high shear and ultra-sonication method, synthesis
of drug nanoparticles using solvent evaporation method), characterization (XRD, DLS, NTA SEM, TEM,
Cryo-TEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, spectroscopy) and biological application of these nanoparticles (drug loading,
controlled and selective drug release, Confocal microscopy, XTT assay).
 Till the end of my M. Tech. from IIT Mandi, I became quite clear about the direction of my research
carrier and it was “To develop novel, suitable and selective nanocarriers for the delivery of therapeutic
agents to treat human diseases”. The “Nano World” fascinated me up to great level and I decided to pursue
my research carrier in the same field. And it was the reason that attracted me to work in various other
aspects of nanotechnology work also like environmental nanotechnology (by dye degradation and water
purification).

Molecular biology is another area that fascinates me and I believe that it is not just a tool that benefits
an individual, but also the entire community and society at large. I have read a lot about the recent
researches in the field of molecular biology worldwide. It is my conviction that a perfect professional is not
born merely out of reading books but also through the acquisition of knowledge from various other sources.
To gain my practical exposure in the field of Molecular Biology, I decided to begin my steps towards the
research in Molecular Biology by volunteering in a lab. Hence I approached Dr. A. P. Sane and Dr. V. K.
Sane, Molecular Biologists at Plant Gene Expression Lab in CSIR-NBRI and I am fortunate enough to work
with them. I worked with Dr. Dinesh Kumar Yadav in D.D.U. Gorakhpur University during my M. Sc. And
with Dr. Rajnish Giri during my M. Tech. to acquire the deep theoretical as well as practical knowledge of
conventional and advanced molecular biology techniques such as chromatin immuno-precipitation, western
blot, gel electrophoresis, RNA interference, cloning, plasmid purification, PCR, transformation and so on.

Apart from the world of nanotechnology and molecular biology, AYURVEDA is the branch of
traditional medical science that attracted me and I believe that by combining the science of nanotechnology,
Ayurveda and molecular biology, each barrier can be crossed in therapeutic sciences. By considering this
approach, I was allowed to work on the essential oil nanoformulation for development of therapeutic drugs
for the treatment of disorders like diabetes (with the collaboration of Dr. Prosenjit Mondal) and Brain cancer
(with the collaboration of Dr. Neha Garg) at IIT Mandi. The diverse research interests of the faculty in the
School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, especially the projects of Dr. Amit Jaiswal, Dr. Neha Garg and Dr.
Prosenjit Mondal, cannot go without saying and really looking forward to be a part of it.

During my M. Tech., I learnt about advances in Stem Cell Technology like iPSC generation, genome
editing of stem cells, controlled differentiation and their clinical applications. This field of medical
biotechnology hypnotized me to the bottom of my interest and I decided that I will pursue my further
research in the same field. I think that development of a non-integrative vector and a non-tumorigenic
technique for iPSC generation will be a great approach for the treatment of several genetic as well as non-
genetic diseases.

All the projects and education played a key role in increasing my confidence and helping me to
understand various concepts in science and to mould my research interests. Hence I believe that I have
qualities and perseverance of a good researcher. I equally learnt many things from both positive and negative
phases of my life. Graduate studies would provide me with the opportunities to attend advanced courses and
be the stepping stone to my career in research. I also believe that God always showed me the right path and
helped me to reach my goals. Hence I extend my hopes to study at this one of the most renowned institute
for further research, which I am, sure, will be the most logical extension of my academic pursuits and a
major step towards achieving my objectives. I am a stern believer of attitude, quality, and hard work. I
promise to attain meteoric heights and bring glory to your institution, if I am given a chance.

Thank You,
Name: Pawan Kumar Pandey
Email: pawankumarpandey1103@gmail.com