Microbial Biofilms in Bioremediation and Wastewater Treatment

Y.V. Nancharaiah
After obtaining Master of Science in Biochemistry from Andhra University, Dr. Y.V. Nancharaiah joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) training school in 1994. After completion of one year training, he joined BARC at Kalpakkam in 1995. In the beginning, his work was focussed on biofouling in cooling water systems and cellular level toxicity of chlorine on marine microalgae. He obtained PhD on Aerobic Granular Sludge for Environmental Biotechnology Applications. Currently, he is a Scientific Officer G at BARC, Kalpakkam. His main research interests are in the field of environmental biotechnology, specifically in the fields of bioremediation, biological wastewater treatment and biofouling control. He received Indo-US research Fellow, American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Research Professorship, Marie Curie Experienced Researcher Award and DAE Homi Bhabha Science & Technology Award.

Vayalam P. VenugopalanAfter obtaining his post-graduate degree in marine biology from the Cochin University of Science and Technology, Dr. Vayalam P. Venugopalan joined the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa in 1982. After completing his PhD on biofouling of offshore oil platforms in the Bombay High region of the Arabian Sea, he joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Kalpakkam in 1989. Here, his work was focused on biofouling, biofilms (ecology and biotechnology) and environmental effects of cooling water discharges. He moved to BARC, Mumbai in 2016, where he is currently the Associate Director of the Bioscience Group. He has made significant contributions in the area of biofilm-based processes for wastewater treatment. Since 1996, he is on the editorial boards of Aquatic Ecology (as Consulting Editor) and Water Research (as Associate Editor).