Contact Kavitha Vijeandran
Background
Kavitha Vijeandran is a PhD candidate at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, specialising in bioinformatics, mycology and food safety. Her research focuses on developing novel diagnostic tests to assess the risks posed by mycotoxigenic fungi in wheat, addressing key challenges in agricultural sustainability and food security. Her current project is part of the FoodBioSystems Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and is supervised by Dr. Carol Verheecke-Vaessen (¿Û¿Û´«Ã½), with co-supervision from Dr. Alexey Larionov (¿Û¿Û´«Ã½), Professor Katrina Campbell (Queen's University Belfast), and Dr. Carla Cervini (¿Û¿Û´«Ã½). Kavitha’s work integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biosensor applications to deliver innovative solutions for the agrifood sector.
Kavitha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Resource Science and Management and a Master’s in Plant Pathology from the University of Malaysia Sarawak. Her master's research, which focused on the virulence and genetic diversity of Phytophthora capsici, provided her with extensive experience in plant pathogen studies. Building on this foundation, her PhD research leverages advanced molecular techniques, including long-read sequencing, metagenomics, and bioinformatics, to enhance fungal detection and mycotoxin risk assessment.
Her current study focuses on the identification and quantification of mycotoxin-producing fungi in wheat, with the aim of understanding their impact on food safety. This involves employing metagenomic techniques, specifically long-read sequencing using PacBio, to detect and analyse fungal communities with greater accuracy and sensitivity of up to strain level. Additionally, the study explores potential biosensor-based solutions for early detection of mycotoxins. By integrating molecular biology with data-driven approaches, this project seeks to contribute to improved monitoring and mitigation strategies, ultimately supporting safer food production practices
