Dr Poonam Singh - Nee Nigam

Overview

Dr Poonam Singh Nigam was awarded Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in 2020 by  Ulster University, UK; her DSc thesis included her Post-doctoral Research outputs  (1985-2019), from Supervision of Doctoral, Postdoctoral  & Visiting overseas researchers, funded-projects, and several global-collaborations. She holds a PhD in Industrial Microbiology (1985) funded with the award of Junior & Senior Research Fellowships from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research of India.

She was a Postdoctoral Researcher in Germany (1985-1988), before joining as a senior research officer in Biotechnology at Ulster University in Jan1990. She joined as  a full-time Lecturer in Biotechnology in 1996 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2001.

Affiliations

Poonam received Chartered Biologist status in 1992 from Institute of Biology (currently known as Royal Society of Biology).

She is Alumna of Ulster University N.Ireland, with two degrees:  Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching in 1998; and  Doctor of Science (DSc) in 2020.

Poonam is affiliated with several scientific societies & Academies; She is a Senior Fellow in  The Higher Education Academy UK,  a Fellow of Centre of Higher Education Research & Practice,  Royal Society of Biology,  International Forum on Industrial Bioprocesses,  Academy of Microbiological Sciences, and  of  Biotechnology Research Society.

Research interests

Microbial-Biotechnology: industrial & applied microbiology, fermentation technology, in the area of Environmental, Food and pharmaceutical.

Research Outputs

One EU Patent, four biotechnology reference books, more than 300 peer reviewed papers, Biotechnology-books chapters and research-informed review articles.

Global Collaborations

Poonam has several active research collaborations with international Research Institutes in Brazil, Greece, Ireland, Cyprus, Italy and India.   PhD students supervised by her now working in US, Canada, Europe and India.

Research Awards

Poonam has a sustained track record of FUNDS £1,065,278,  through 16 awards from prestigious sources, Royal society, British Council, UNESCO, HEA, ACU, CEC/ERDF, IRTU-START, CEC-IRTU Networking Prog, Department of Environment CEC/ERDF-Env Protec, European Social Fund, Randox, Government bodies.

She was a key contributor in several other research projects:  £416,279 funded by International Fund for Ireland, and Randox Pharmaceutical company; £92,100 from EU INCO-DC program for International Co-operation with a Developing country.

UK Academy of Science (Royal Society) nominated her twice under bilateral International-Exchange as a British scientist visiting Indian National Science Academy and its affiliated institutes. Royal society also funded her four visits to delegate in International conferences.

Teaching Experience

Industrial and applied microbiology and biotechnology.

Administrative Roles

• Course Director Biotechnology Postgraduate program (2000-present)
• Course Director Food Biotechnology, a  Postgraduate joint dual-degree program with two Greek Universities (2000-2013)
• Module coordinator - over 12  modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level (1996-present)