"Emergence and genomic evolution of capsular groupY ST-1466 Neisseria meningitidis causing invasive meningococcal disease and urogenital infections."

Dr. Poonam Kanojiya is a microbiologist with research interests in host–pathogen interactions, bacterial metabolism, and mechanisms regulating microbial virulence. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Emory University, where her work focuses on identifying and characterizing vaccine candidates for Neisseria. She completed her Ph.D. in Health and Medical Sciences from Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Pune, India, where her doctoral research examined the role of host- and microbiome-derived metabolites in regulating virulence phenotypes of Neisseria meningitidis. Her research integrates molecular microbiology, stress biology, and host–microbe interaction frameworks to understand how environmental and metabolic cues influence the transition from asymptomatic colonization to invasive disease. Her work has highlighted the role of polyamines and alternative carbon sources in modulating bacterial survival within host cells, biofilm dynamics, and dissemination potential, contributing to a deeper understanding of metabolic control of bacterial pathogenesis. Her broader research interests include metabolic regulation of virulence, stress adaptation mechanisms, and translational approaches for prevention of bacterial infections.

Outside the laboratory, she enjoys travelling, exploring new places, trekking, and engaging in outdoor activities. She has a strong interest in sports and has represented her school at the national level in cricket. She also enjoys dancing, reflecting her enthusiasm for creative expression and maintaining an active lifestyle.