Academic

• PhD, Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University (2012-2016)
• MSc, Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Uttarakhand (2009-2011)
•  BSc, Bareilly College, MJP Rohilkhand University, Uttar Pradesh (2006-2009)

Employments

• Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University (Feb 2023-till date).
• Postdoctoral Senior Research Associate, Heritage Fermented Food and Beverage Research Laboratory, Life Science Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati (Nov 2020- Jan 2023).
• Research Associate, DBT sponsored Advanced Level Institutional Biotech Hub, Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati (Sept 2017- Nov 2020).
• Senior Research Fellow, ICAR sponsored project, Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati (Dec 2011- Dec 2012)

Awards

• Gold Medal Award for securing First position in B.Sc degree programme from Bareilly College, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly (2009), U.P.
•   ‘Best Flash Presentation and Poster Award’ in the International Conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy (BSBB-2022) and XIX Annual Convention of the Biotech Research Society, India (BRSI), held at IIT-Guwahati, India, during December 07-11, 2022.
• 'Best Flash Talk Award' in the National Symposium on "Indigenous Knowledge in Food, Beverages and Pharmaceuticals: Tradition to Translation" held at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India, May 08-09, 2025.

• Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Insights into the Role of Leuconostoc mesenteroides SB1075 Fermentation in Enhancing the Shelf-Life of Soy Yogurt. J Food Sci. 2025 Apr;90(4):e70220. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70220. PMID: 40285465. IF 3.16

• Barge, S. R., Bhattacharya, A., Kumar, A., Das, S., Joishy, T., Mukherjee, A. K., Bhattacharjee, M. J., & Khan, M. R. (2024). A traditional fermented bamboo shoot reduces intracellular fat accumulation and promotes fat browning in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells through the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. Food Frontiers, 5, 1642–1657. IF 7.4

• Sushmita Das, Maloyjo Joyraj Bhattacharjee, Ashis K. Mukherjee, Mojibur Rohman Khan. Selection of a multi-species starter culture for mustard seed fermentation to enhance polyunsaturated fatty acids and improve gastrointestinal health markers. Food Bioscience, 2024;59:104109. IF 4.8

• Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Comprehensive bacterial-metabolite profiles of Hawaijar, Bekang, and Akhone: a comparative study on traditional fermented soybeans of north-east India. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2023 Sep 22;39(11):315. IF 4.0

• Bhattacharya, A., Das, S., Bhattacharjee, M.J. et al. Comparative pangenomic analysis of predominant human vaginal lactobacilli strains towards population-specific adaptation: understanding the role in sustaining a balanced and healthy vaginal microenvironment. BMC Genomics 24, 565 (2023). IF 3.5

• Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Recent advances in understanding of multifaceted changes in the vaginal microenvironment: implications in vaginal health and therapeutics. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2023 Mar;49(2):256-282. DOI: 10.1080/1040841X.2022.2049696. IF 6.0

• Sushmita Das and Pratap Jyoti Handique (2022). Are Indian Culinary Spices Acting as an Immunomodulatory Factor Against Covid-19? Curr Res Nutr Food Sci., 10(1): 31-44. IF 1.8

• Das S, Das PJ, Handique PJ. Molecular characterization of porcine group A rotavirus to contain piglet diarrhea for productivity enhancement in North East India. VirusDisease. 2021 Jun;32(2):314-319. IF 0.96

• Sharma R, Bora DP, Chakraborty P, Das S, Barman NN. Circulation of group A rotaviruses among neonates of human, cow and pig: study from Assam, a north eastern state of India. Indian J Virol. 2013 Sep;24(2):250-5. IF 0.96

• Banasmita Das, Rajeev K Sharma, Probodh Bora, Sushmita Das, Luit M Barkalita, R.K. Mandakini Devi, Bhaben C Baishya. Molecular Characterization and toxin-typing of Clostridium difficile isolates of dogs and pigs from Assam and Mizoram of North East India. Current Science, 113(6):1099-1106, 2017. IF 1.0

  Please visit the link below for updated list of publications

  https://scholar.google.com/citations

MSc dissertations guided

1. Akangsha Keot (Jan 2023 - Jul 2023)
2. Dimpi Kalita (Jan 2023 - Jul 2023)
3. Puja Sarma Phukan (Jan 2023 - Jul 2023)
4. Dhritismita Malakar (Dec 2024 - Jun 2025)
5. Fariha Sharif (Dec 2024 - Jun 2025)
6. Sukanya Dutta (Dec 2024 - Jun 2025)
7. Sweta Sruti Bora (Dec 2024 - Jun 2025)

Areas of interests

• Traditional fermented foods: microbiome-metabolome interactions
• Functional fermented foods and its impications on health
• Ethnicity infuenced vaginal microbiome studies

Opportunities

• Students with Master's degree in Biotechnology/ Microbiology/ Life Sciences interested to work in the above mentioned areas of research can send their CV along with a cover letter via email- sushmitadas@gauhati.ac.in