Devyani Dongre
Ph.D. Title:
Role of Stress Response Proteins in the Evolution of Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathogenesis of Acinetobacter baumannii
Hello! I’m Devyani Sandeep Dongre. I am a microbiologist who loves to learn. I’ve spent my career exploring everything from deep-sea bacteria in the Arabian sea and Indian Ocean to the ways dangerous germs survive in hospitals. I believe in working hard, staying curious, and growing alongside a great team.
My journey began at K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce in Mumbai. During my Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Microbiology from 2014 to 2017, I didn't just stay in the classroom. I jumped into research early through a project where I created silver nanoparticles using Neem and fungi. I stayed at the same college for my Master of Science (MSc) in Microbiology (2017–2019). I also made sure to get involved in campus life by organizing major events as a Student Coordinator and was even named the "Best Girl Student" for the 2018-2019 year.
One of the most exciting parts of my life started with Exploring the Ocean as my Master's project at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa. I spent six months studying special fungi from mangrove forests that can help clean up dyes from the environment.
After graduating, I continued working at NIO on several important projects:
• Deep-Sea Research: I studied bacteria that live at the bottom of the Indian Ocean to see how they survive in such extreme places.
• Protecting Nature: I helped identify and protect wetlands in Goa by checking the types of bacteria found there.
• The Big Trip: I got to go on a research ship - RV Sindhu Sadhana. On January 7, 2022, we crossed the Equator, which was a huge moment for me!
I also wanted to see how corporate life at big company is, so I joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) from 2019 to 2021. I worked in "Pharmacovigilance," which is a fancy way of saying I helped keep track of medicine safety for a company called ROCHE. This job taught me how to be very organized, manage my time well, and make sure every piece of data is perfect.
Right now, I am a third-year cranky head supervised by Dr. Sunil D. Saroj at the Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS) in Pune on the topic Role of Stress Response Proteins in the Emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathogenesis of Acinetobacter baumannii. My research focuses on a germ called A. baumannii. This germ is very tough and often resists the medicine doctors generally use to kill pathogens and clear infection.
In my lab, I’m trying to figure out how this germ survives under various environmental and non-environmental stresses as a result gaining resistance against strongest antibiotics known today. I have stepped into the high-stakes world of microbial warfare, focusing my lens on the survival strategies of Acinetobacter baumannii. This pathogen is far more than a simple germ; it is a clinical opportunist that doesn't just survive in hospital environments—it thrives under extreme pressure. My work is a dive into the fundamental question of how this superbug manages to bridge the gap between basic environmental resilience and the terrifying reality of modern drug resistance. I am essentially mapping the survival strategy that allows this bacterium to laugh in the face of the strongest antibiotics known today. Basically, I am looking for the area of vulnerability of these multidrug-resistant villains, moving us one step closer to treatments that can finally bypass their defenses.
Who I Am Outside the Lab
I’ve always believed in having a balanced life.
Sports: I am a State-level Handball player, which taught me how to be a leader and a team player.
Writing: I love writing poetry. It’s how I express my feelings about life and time.
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking healthy meals. Going to the gym is my ultimate escape and my dedicated "me time". It is the place where I can clear my head, push my physical limits, and recharge after a long day.