Dr Anju Kaushal, New Zealand Organization for Quality, Individual Member, New Zealand
Dr. Anju Kaushal is a microbiologist and biopharmaceutical scientist with over two decades of international research and academic experience across India and New Zealand. Known for her creativity, perseverance, and dedication to advancing microbiological and immunological sciences, Dr. Kaushal has significantly contributed to fields like RNA therapeutics, microbiome studies, immune modulation, and infectious diseases. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and has conducted impactful research with institutions such as Virionyx Corporation and ICP Biotechnology in New Zealand. Dr. Kaushal is a prolific solo author and peer reviewer, with over 21 scientific publications and editorial contributions to journals like Cureus, JOVE, and Frontiers in Antibiotics. Her work on SARS-CoV-2 variants, siRNA therapies, and precision medicine has received widespread recognition. Committed to knowledge dissemination and scientific integrity, she actively mentors young researchers and collaborates internationally, aiming to bridge research innovation with real-world therapeutic solutions.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Education
Dr. Anju Kaushal’s educational journey is grounded in strong academic excellence and global exposure. She completed her PhD in Science (Microbiology) from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, with a thesis focused on the enzymatic production of 2,3-Butanediol—a critical biochemical with industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned an MSc and BSc in Microbiology from the Central Research Institute affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India. In New Zealand, she augmented her scientific qualifications with certifications in Quality Assurance and Internal Auditing from the New Zealand Organisation for Quality (NMIT). Additionally, in 2024, she completed a certificate course on “Leading Strategic Projects” at the University of Auckland, strengthening her leadership and project management skills. Her academic foundation blends deep theoretical insight with applied scientific training in microbiology, immunology, and biopharmaceutical quality systems, positioning her as a multidisciplinary expert capable of navigating both laboratory and regulatory environments.
Experience
Dr. Kaushal has a diverse and rich professional background spanning academia, biotech industries, and clinical research. She served as a Senior Scientist at Virionyx Corp (NZ), where she independently validated critical potency assays for anti-HIV antibodies. As a Quality Control Analyst at ICP Biotechnology (NZ), she led ELISA development, IgG stability assays, and documentation under cGMP/GLP norms. Earlier in India, she was instrumental in the launch of WHO-certified HIV-1/2 Western Blot kits at J. Mitra & Co. She also served as Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences at Shiva Group of Institutions, India, contributing to student mentorship and academic development. Since 2020, Dr. Kaushal has been actively engaged as a peer reviewer, guest editor, and topic coordinator with reputed journals such as Cureus, JOVE, and Frontiers. Her experience reflects a dynamic ability to contribute to both the applied and scholarly realms of biomedical science and public health.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Anju Kaushal’s distinguished career is underscored by her invited editorial roles and peer-review recognitions across international scientific platforms. She is the Guest Editor for Cureus Journal of Medical Science on the theme of “Precision Medicine and Health Sustainability” and has been invited as Biology Guest Editor for JOVE Journal for a collection on “Advances in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.” Furthermore, she coordinates the research topic “Emerging Trends in Phage Therapeutics” for Frontiers in Antibiotics. She has conducted 78 peer reviews for journals indexed in the Web of Science and over 10 comprehensive reviews for Archives of Microbiology (Springer Nature). Dr. Kaushal’s solo-authored publications in Immunologic Research, COVID, Drug Delivery and Translational Research, and BMC Translational Medicine reflect her scientific independence and thought leadership. Her scholarly resilience, despite facing major technological disruptions during the pandemic, demonstrates her unwavering dedication and makes her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Research Focus
Dr. Kaushal’s research centers on immunomodulation, microbiome interactions, siRNA therapeutics, RNA interference, and emerging infectious diseases. She focuses on understanding how host-pathogen interactions, gut microbiota, and immune regulators influence disease outcomes and therapeutic responses. Her work on SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune signaling molecules (like STING and cGAS), and mRNA/siRNA therapies aligns with cutting-edge biomedical research. Additionally, she explores phage therapy as a novel approach to combat antimicrobial resistance. Her research supports precision medicine goals, emphasizing diagnostics and therapeutics tailored to genetic and immunological markers. Through her leadership in editorial initiatives, she promotes multidisciplinary approaches integrating biotechnology, pharmacogenomics, and digital health tools (IoT in disease management). Dr. Kaushal’s research is deeply translational, aiming to move from bench to bedside, especially in viral infections, neurological disorders, and microbiome-related pathologies. Her contributions help shape sustainable health strategies in line with global medical innovation trends.
Publication Top Notes
Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii from Eucalyptus camaldulensis in India
Antifungal Susceptibility pattern of non-albicans Candida species & distribution of species isolated from Candedaemia cases over a 5 year period.
Association of Gut Microbiota with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and COVID-19 Severity: A Possible Outcome of the Altered Immune Response
Characterization of 2,3-butanediol-forming and valine-sensitive α-acetolactate synthase of Enterobacter cloacae
Immune response and pathogenesis of COVID-19 and The Strategies for developing target drugs
mRNA Technology a Promising Strategy for Rapid Response Vaccine Applications against the Emerging Infectious Diseases
Nutraceuticals and pharmacological to balance the transitional microbiome to extend immunity during COVID-19 and other viral infections