Profile Details

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Hire Aashish Kumar S.

Nepal

USD 15 /hr

Plant Pathologist specializing in Aspergillus & Trichoderma, molecular diagnostics, biocontrol and data analysis

Profile Summary

I am an enthusiastic, results-driven plant pathologist (M.Sc., First Rank) with strong practical and research experience in fungal biology, molecular diagnostics, integrated disease management and statistical data analysis. Over the course of my training and projects I have combined rigorous lab work, field trials and bioinformatics to address crop-health problems — particularly those involving Aspergillus and Trichoderma. My core research focus (M.Sc.) has been on aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus: morpho-cultural, physico-chemical and molecular characterization of field isolates; evaluation of chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents and phytoextracts in vitro and in vivo; toxin–antitoxin assays to test suppression of aflatoxin production; and development/testing of a nanoemulsion derived from biocontrol metabolites. I have designed and executed controlled field and pot experiments (spray regimes, inoculation, bagging for humidity control), and standardised inoculum preparation and quantification (hemocytometer counts). Technically, I offer hands-on expertise in: nucleic acid extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, primer design and sequence analysis (BLAST, phylogenetic tree construction), dual-culture and poisoned-food assays, spectrophotometry and HPLC, microscopy and isolation/preservation methods. I am experienced with laboratory sterilization, serial dilutions, culture maintenance and basic biochemical/analytical workflows. On the instrumentation side I have practical exposure to HPLC, GC-MS FID, and microscopy from workshops and industrial training. I combine wet-lab strengths with quantitative and computational skills: statistical analysis and visualization using R (dplyr, ggplot2, rstatix, agricolae), SPSS and MS Excel; sequence handling and phylogenetics using MEGA and related tools; and creating publication-quality figures (BioRender/Canva, PowerPoint). I routinely apply these skills for experiment design, power/replication planning, ANOVA/post-hoc testing, and clear presentation of results. Ongoing and pipeline projects include evaluation of Trichoderma spp. against aflatoxigenic A. flavus (dual culture, metabolite assays), characterization of Alternaria, Phomopsis and Curvularia isolates using multi-gene markers, and applied work on ancient organic manures and biocontrol formulations (including a solid bioformulation patent disclosure). I have several manuscripts published and in review on phylogenetics, aflatoxin risk and integrated management strategies. Beyond research, I have experience teaching laboratory techniques and extension work — developing and delivering posters, webinars, and farmer demonstrations; organizing community campaigns (Mitti Naveenikaran, Parthenium eradication); and supervising small field trials. I can convert complex lab concepts into practical training modules suitable for students, technicians and farmers. Services I offer on KolabTree: experimental design and protocol development for mycology and plant pathology; molecular diagnostics and primer/phylogeny support; in-vitro assay design (dual culture, antagonism screens, toxin assays); data analysis, statistics and figure preparation (R/SPSS); manuscript editing and literature synthesis; and remote teaching or troubleshooting for lab techniques. I aim for reproducible, well-documented workflows and clear deliverables (protocols, analysed datasets, figures and draft text). If you need a collaborator or consultant with bench experience in fungal pathogen work, skills in sequence analysis and phylogenetics, and a track record of translating lab results into actionable management recommendations, I’d be glad to discuss your project and how I can help.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Botany
• ☆ Plant Pathology
• ☆ Microbiology
• ☆ Mycology/Fungi
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ DNA Sequencing
• ☆ Cell Biology
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Data Analysis
• ☆ Cell Culture
• ☆ Agricultural Biotechnology
• ☆ Phylogenetics
• ☆ Excel
• ☆ R

Services

• Writing
• Data & AI
• Product Development

Writing Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing, Translation

Data & AI Statistical Analysis

Product Development Formulation, Recipe Development, Product Evaluation

Work Experience

Student

Lovely Professional University

August 2023 - August 2025

Education

M.Sc. (Agri.) Plant Pathology (Department of Plant Pathology)

Lovely Professional University

August 2023 - August 2025

B.Sc. Honours in Agriculture (College of Agriculture)

Punjab Agricultural University

January 2019 - March 2023

Certifications

• Mycelium Growth with NetLogo Web

  Coursera Project Network

  https://coursera.org/verify/0JLS51OBJ7KL

  January 2025 - Present

• Data Analysis with R Programming

  Google

  https://coursera.org/verify/FYFEPRDGF29J

  August 2024 - Present

• Bioinformatic Methods 1

  University of Toronto

  https://coursera.org/verify/54SFJYF4XP2D

  July 2024 - Present

• International Agriculture Certificate Course-Cum-Training Program

  Prime Minister & Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

  April 2024 - Present

• Foundations of Project Management

  Google

  https://coursera.org/verify/PZJ99C2EMHKG

  March 2024 - Present

• Discover Best Practice Farmin for a Sustainable 2050

  The University of Western Australia

  https://coursera.org/verify/BE3WJ5H97WQ2

  February 2024 - Present

• Be10X AI Tools

  be10X

  November 2023 - Present

• On-campus Training Certificate

  Punjab Agricultural University

  June 2023 - Present

• Agro-industrial Training Certificate

  Crop Chemicals India Ltd.

  December 2021 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Aashish Kumar Sharma, Robin Rijal, Sittal Thapa, Subash Thapa, Akash Shah, Prajina Neupane, Shree Bhagavan Thakur (2025). Food Security Challenges in Nepal: Assessing the Existing Situation and Policy-level Strategies for Mitigation and Resilience . European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety.

Aashish Kumar Sharma, Adesh Kumar, Robin Rijal (2025). Phylogenetic studies and distinction of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species in section Flavi, Ochraceorosei and Nidulantes: A review . Gene.

Sharma, Aashish Kumar, Rijal, Robin, Thapa, Sittal, Thapa, Subash, Shah, Akash, Neupane, Prajina, Thakur, Shree Bhagavan (2025). Food Security Challenges in Nepal: Assessing the Existing Situation and Policy-level Strategies for Mitigation and Resilience . European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety.

Sharma, Aashish Kumar, Kumar, Adesh, Rijal, Robin (2025). Phylogenetic studies and distinction of aflatoxin-producing <i>Aspergillus </i>species in section Flavi, Ochraceorosei and Nidulantes: A review . Gene.