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Neha S. Gandhi

Also known as: Neha S. Gandhi

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, The M.S. University of Baroda

ORCID iD 0000-0003-3119-6731
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About

Professor Gandhi is an applied computational scientist with a strong commitment to promoting diversity in STEMM fields, particularly for women. With a unique career spanning both industry and academia, she recently joined the Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, holding a research-centric position straddling the domains of Science and Health.

Her research is centered on unravelling the structural and functional intricacies of molecules, encompassing a wide spectrum from small-scale chemical entities to complex biological molecules and material assemblies. This pursuit is facilitated through the application of cutting-edge molecular modelling and simulation techniques.

Notably, Professor Gandhi is acclaimed for her pioneering work in modelling the structure and molecular interactions of glycosaminoglycans, with a particular emphasis on their interplay with proteins. This research avenue led to an expansion of her interests, delving into the modelling of structure and functionality of intrinsically disordered proteins, as well as employing coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study macromolecules such as HDL and lung surfactant. She is currently engaged as a consultant for various prominent pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms in both Australia and India.

Prior to her current role, she held the prestigious position of an Advance Queensland Mid-Career Research Fellow at the School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology. In addition, she served as a team leader overseeing drug discovery initiatives within the Cancer and Ageing program at the Translational Research Institute.

Professor Gandhi's academic journey includes the attainment of an MPhil and PhD from Curtin University, following her graduation from the M.S. University of Baroda. She kickstarted her career with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 2000, followed by specialized training in bioinformatics in Hyderabad. Notably, she assumed the role of department head for Bioinformatics and molecular modelling until 2006 at the Zydus Research Centre in Ahmedabad, India.

Present and past collaborations include:
• Profs. Guy Lippens, Caroline Smet-Nocca and Xavier Hanoulle (Université Lille Nord de France) - Structural biology of the Tau protein and other IDPs
• Prof. Deirdre Coombe (Curtin University), Prof. Vito Ferro (University of Queensland) & Prof Jeremy Turnbull (University of Liverpool) - Glycobiology
• Dr. Prashant Kharkar (NMiMS SPP School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Mumbai, India) - Medicinal chemistry of Xc transporter system
• A/Prof. Travis Klein (QUT) – Peptide and proteoglycan-based Hydrogels
• A/Prof Tim Dargaville (QUT)- cyclization of polymers
• Prof Prasad KDV Yarlagadda-Mechanics of bacterial interaction on nanopatterned surfaces
• Prof. Derek Richard, Dr Mark N Adams, Dr Emma Bolderson, Dr Laura Croft, A/Prof. Jyotsna Batra, Prof. Rik Thompson (QUT), A/Prof Pilar Blancafort (UWA) & Prof Roger Woodgate (NIH, USA)-Molecular basis of cancer and ageing
• Dr Tomer Ventura (University of the Sunshine Coast)-Understanding the molecular mechanism in crustaceans.
• Prof. Kathryn Fairfull-Smith (QUT) -Designing molecules to inhibit biofilm formation.
• Dr Miguel Renteria (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute) -Computational genetics
• A/Prof Santu Rana (Deakin University)-Machine Learning with a focus on antibacterial
• Prof Kim Hemsley (Flinders University)-Molecular and animal models for treating childhood dementia
• Dr Prabhat Arya (Smagen and SignMod)-Drugging the undruggable

Employment

  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education Professor
    2023 - Present
  • Queensland University of Technology Advance Queensland Research Fellow
    2019 - 2023
  • Queensland University of Technology Vice Chancellor's research fellow
    2016 - 2019
  • Curtin University Curtin early career research fellow
    2012 - 2016
  • Virginia Commonwealth University Postdoctoral Trainee
    2012 - 2012
  • Curtin University Postdoctoral fellow
    2011 - 2012
  • Curtin University of Technology Research assistant
    2007 - 2009
  • Zydus Research Center Department-in-charge
    2003 - 2006
  • Osmania University Research assistant
    2002 - 2003

Education

  • Curtin University PhD
    2008 - 2012
  • Curtin University M.Phil
    2006 - 2008
  • The M.S. University of Baroda B.E.
    1997 - 2001

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (87)