Ravi K. Shah, PhD

I received my PhD in Biotechnology from Sardar Patel University (India) in January 2018. My dissertation project focused on functional metagenomics for direct identification of genes and enzymes of interest by screening metagenomic libraries for desired heterologous phenotypic traits (expressed in surrogate bacterial hosts) and to characterize the diversity of ciliate community from the buffalo rumen microbiome as the rumen microbial diversity represents a vast genetic bounty that may be exploited for the discovery of novel genes, entire metabolic pathways, and potentially valuable products. In my graduate studies, I also participated on projects determining how RNAi mediated knockdown of myostatin in goat myoblasts leads to enhanced myogenesis and increased skeletal muscle mass which can be beneficial for the cultivators. In a separate study, we aimed to characterize rumen microbiome (Metagenomics) and active rumen microbiome (Metatranscriptomics) of cattle and buffalo in respect to the difference in the species, diet fed with different nutrient ingredients and the geographical location they are kept. After graduating, I joined Hester Biosciences Limited (India) where I worked on generating recombinant viral vector vaccines that were used to express immunogens of various avian pathogens which confer long-lasting protective immunity against at least two viral infections. Additionally, I developed molecular and diagnostic tools to identify bacterial and viral pathogens. During my postdoc at Texas A&M University, my research focused on characterizing the rumen metagenome and metabolome in relation to animal nutrient-use/production efficiency in beef cattle consuming forage and forage-grain diets. I joined the Zamora lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin as a Research Scientist in November 2020. Currently, I am conducting studies on understanding the mechanisms of T-cell mediated antitumor immunity in various hematological cancers and helping to develop assays to better characterize the phenotype, function, and transcriptional profiles of tumor-reactive T cells. My research interests also include cellular engineering, microbial strain design, and microbial ecology and microbiome research. When I am not in the lab, I love spending time with my family, watching movies, and enjoying nature.