AIBN Entrepreneurial PhD
With a master's degree in Biotechnology from The University of Queensland and a bachelor's degree in Zoology from Delhi University, Harshita brings a diverse academic background to her work. Recognised as a UQ Future Leader and recipient of the prestigious UQ High Achievers Scholarship for International Students in 2020, she demonstrates exceptional academic prowess and leadership potential.
Awarded the Dean's Commendation for Academic Excellence in 2022 and 2021, Harshita's academic achievements underscore her dedication to scholarly pursuits. Her research journey extends beyond her PhD project, encompassing valuable experiences in various research domains. She has contributed to the development of recombinant protein vaccines for Hepatitis E and live-attenuated vaccines for Chikungunya. Additionally, her expertise includes optimising proprietary DNA extraction protocols for high molecular weight DNA and creating qPCR diagnostic assays for detecting Campylobacter from cattle reproductive tracts.
Beyond her research endeavours, Harshita actively engages with the academic community. She mentors students via the annual biotechnology UQ Young Changemaker's challenge, guiding year 11 and 12 students. Furthermore, she mentors international students for the UQ College, teaching them English and aiding their academic integration. Harshita also tutors several undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UQ each semester, contributes to the UQ Biotech Society and AIBN Student Association, and participates in entrepreneurship programs offered by UQ Ventures. Driven by her passion for innovation and scientific discovery, Harshita is poised to make significant contributions to the fields of biotechnology and molecular biology.
