S. Sivamalar
Summary
I have been a recognized molecular biologist at the YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education for the past 14 years. My experience includes molecular characterization, assay development, validation, and high throughput analysis of viruses. As a Research Scientist for the past two years at Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research and I mentor four students pursuing PhD degrees in Medical Microbiology at Meenakshi University. I was awarded and successfully completed two research grants funded by national and international organizations. In keeping with my fruitful professional path, I'm eager to learn more, acquire new abilities, and make the most of my present knowledge and proficiency.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Scientist/Assistant Professor
Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed University)
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Professor, Division of Molecular biology/Regional HIV-1 Genotyping Specialty Laboratory
YRG CARE, Chennai
01.2018 - 01.2022
Research Associate, Division of Molecular biology/Regional HIV-1 Genotyping Specialty Laboratory
YRG CARE, Chennai
01.2008 - 01.2017
Education
Ph.D - Biotechnology-Medical Microbiology
University of Madras
01.2018
M.Sc - Biotechnology
Madurai Kamaraj University
01.2008
M.Sc - Biotechnology
Manonmanium Sundaranar University
01.2006
Skills
- Strong background in molecular biology, with expertise in sequencing, PCR, qPCR, quantification techniques, and handling DNA and RNA
- Proficiency in molecular characterization and data analysis, with a track record in interpreting sequencing data for HIV, HBV, and HCV
- Presents technical seminars and provides training on areas of technical expertise and compliance issues relevant to the lab setting, Performs Research & Development activities as required
- Creative and dynamic team player able to troubleshoot and offer alternate approaches to overcome technical obstacles and complete projects within the allotted time
- Exceptional organizing skills and up-to-date record keeping capabilities
- Hands experience over Realtime PCR and Sanger’s Ilumina MiSeq Extensive hands-on experience in MiSeq WGS of HIV/HCV metagenomics protocol
Timeline
Research Scientist/Assistant Professor
Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed University)
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Professor, Division of Molecular biology/Regional HIV-1 Genotyping Specialty Laboratory
YRG CARE, Chennai
01.2018 - 01.2022
Research Associate, Division of Molecular biology/Regional HIV-1 Genotyping Specialty Laboratory
YRG CARE, Chennai
01.2008 - 01.2017
Ph.D - Biotechnology-Medical Microbiology
University of Madras
M.Sc - Biotechnology
Madurai Kamaraj University
M.Sc - Biotechnology
Manonmanium Sundaranar University
Publications
- Roy JP, Supriya Y, Balakrishnan P, Saravanan S, Sivamalar S. Emerging Pathogens and Resistance Mechanisms: Shaping Future Pediatric Antimicrobial Resistance. Journal of Pure & Applied Microbiology. 2025 Jun 1;19(2).
- Balakrishnan P, Vignesh R, Ganesh PS, Shanmugam S, Kannan I, Sivamalar S, Raju S, Velu V, Shankar EM, Sucharitha ST. Oral fluid versus blood in HIV self-testing: A step towards “95-95-95” targets of the UNAIDS?. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. 2025 Apr 23:116867.
- Babu J, Sivamalar S. Carbapenem Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Cases from India: An Overview of Current Knowledge. Texila International Journal of Public Health.2025 Mar 28: 2520-3134. DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.01.Art084
- Supriya Y, Sivamalar S. Therapeutic Potential of Gut Microbiota: Insights into Immune Modulation, Metabolite Signaling and Clinical Applications in Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases. Texila International Journal of Public Health.2025 Mar 28: 2520-3134. DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.01.Art025
- Supriya Y, Sivamalar S, Nallusamy D, Sureka V, Arunagirinathan N, Saravanan S, Balakrishnan P, Viswanathan D, Rajakumar G. Application of probiotics in cervical cancer infections to enhance the immune response.Microb Pathog. 2024 Aug;193:106764. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106764. Epub 2024 Jun 27.PMID: 38944216 Review.
- Sivamalar S, Gomathi S, Boobalan J, Balakrishnan P, Pradeep A, Devaraj CA, Solomon SS, Nallusamy D, Nalini D, Sureka V, Saravanan S.Delayed identification of treatment failure causes high levels of acquired drug resistance and less future drug options among HIV-infected South Indians.Indian J Med Microbiol. 2024 Jan-Feb;47:100520. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.100520. Epub 2024 Jan 13. PMID: 38052366.
- Nallusamy Duraisamy, Sakthivel Muthu, Kumaran Thangavel, Kathiravan Krishnan and Sivamalar Sathasivam A Bioflocculant Made from Chitosan and Modified Shrimp Waste Might Collect Fresh and Saltwater Microalgae. Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia. 2024.
- Sivamalar S, Dinesha TR, Gomathi S, Pradeep A, Boobalan J, Solomon SS, Poongulali S, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P, Saravanan S. Accumulation of HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations After First-Line Immunological Failure to Evaluate the Options of Recycling NRTI Drugs in Second-Line Treatment: A Study from South India. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2017 Mar;33(3):271-274. doi: 10.1089/AID.2016.0070. Epub 2016 Aug 18. PMID: 27460519.
- Dinesha TR, Gomathi S, Boobalan J, Sivamalar S, Solomon SS, Pradeep A, Poongulali S, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P, Saravanan S. Genotypic HIV-1 Drug Resistance Among Patients Failing Tenofovir-Based First-Line HAART in South India. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2016 Dec;32(12):1234-1236. doi: 10.1089/AID.2016.0110.Epub 2016 Jul 14. PMID: 27334566.
- Saravanan S, Madhavan V, Balakrishnan P, Smith DM, Solomon SS, Sivamalar S, Poongulali S, Kumarasamy N, Schooley RT, Solomon S, Kantor R. Darunavir is a good third-line antiretroviral agent for HIV type 1-infected patients failing second-line protease inhibitor-based regimens in South India. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2013 Mar;29(3):630-2. doi: 10.1089/AID.2011.0334. Epub 2012 Dec 7. PMID: 23045961; PMCID: PMC3531023.
- Saravanan S, Madhavan V, Solomon SS, Kantor R, Katzenstein D, Sivamalar S, Kumarasamy N, Smith DM, Mayer KH, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P. Reverse transcriptase substitution at codons 208 and 228 among treatment-experienced HIV-1 subtype-C-infected Indian patients is strongly associated with thymidine analogue mutations. J Acquir Immune DeficSyndr. 2012 Feb 1;59(2):e26-7. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31823e2d2b. PMID: 22245718; PMCID: PMC3295928.
- Saravanan S, Madhavan V, Kantor R, Sivamalar S, Gomathi S, Solomon SS, Kumarasamy N, Smith DM, Mayer KH, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P. Unusual insertion and deletion at codon 67 and 69 of HIV type 1 subtype C reverse transcriptase among first-line highly active antiretroviral treatment-failing South Indian patients: association with other resistance mutations. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2012 Dec;28(12):1763-5. doi: 10.1089/AID.2011.0331.Epub 2012 May 21. PMID: 22404502; PMCID: PMC3505055.
- Saravanan S, Vidya M, Balakrishnan P, Kantor R, Solomon SS, Katzenstein D, Kumarasamy N, Yetponi T, Sivamalar S, Rifkin S, Mayer KH, Solomon S. Viremia and HIV-1 drug resistance mutations among patients receiving second-line highly active antiretroviral therapy in Chennai, Southern India. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Apr;54(7):995-1000. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir967. Epub 2012 Feb 9. PMID: 22323657; PMCID: PMC3571716.
- Saravanan S, Kausalya B, Gomathi S, Sivamalar S, Pachamuthu B, Selvamuthu P, Pradeep A, Sunil S, Mohit SN, Smith DM, Kantor R. Etravirine and Rilpivirine.Drug Resistance Among HIV-1 Subtype C Infected Children Failing Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Based Regimens in South India. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2017 Jun;33(6):567-574. doi: 10.1089/AID.2016.0133. Epub 2016 Dec 23. PMID: 27869478; PMCID: PMC5695734.
- HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence Among High-Risk Populations in South India. Dinesha TR, Boobalan J, Sivamalar S, Solomon SS, Poongulali S, Pradeep A, Murugavel KG, Balakrishnan P, Smith DM, Saravanan S.AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2018 Apr;34(4):327-328. doi: 10.1089/AID.2017.0253. Epub 2018 Jan 17. PMID: 29161880
- Dinesha TR, Boobalan J, Sivamalar S, Smith DM, Saravanan S.Occult HBV infection in HIV-infected adults and evaluation of pooled NAT for HBV, 2018, 25(6), pp. 718–723
References
P., Balakrishnan, PhD, balayrgcare@gmail.com, +91 7667444221, Infectious Diseases Advanced Research Centre for Health Sciences, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West KK Nagar, Chennai, India, Professor & Chief Scientist
Shankar, Esaki Muthu Associate Professor & Head Department of Life Sciences Central University of Tamil Nadu Neelakudi, Thiruvarur 610 005, India. e-Mail: shankarem@cutn.ac.in
Awards
2025 – Poster Merit Award , International Conference on Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases Feb 17 &18 2025, 2025 - Bill and Melinda Gates foundation Global Health Travel Award for D3 HIV Cure: Antiretroviral Therapy – free control of HIV infection conference, Durban, South Africa, 2024 - AVRS Associate Fellow Award - Antiviral Research Society, 2024 - ISSN International Outstanding Researcher Award, 2023 - Young Scientist Award, To present poster in 9th India International Science Festival organized by Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, Faridabad, Haryana., 2022 -CRDF Indo-US grant as PI Training on NGS/bioinformatics at Brown University., 2022 – JHU Early stage investigator mentorship., 2019-Travel grant from ICMR to present Poster at 10th IAS Conference (IAS 2019), Mexico City, Mexico., 2016-Young Investigator Award, 17th International congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID), Hyderabad, India.
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