Postdoctoral Associates

Academic Background Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University, (9/1/2021-present)Postgraduate Fellow, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University (9/1/2019-3/6/2020)Joint Ph.D., Center of Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University (9/1/2018-6/30/2020 )Ph.D., Institute for Thermal Power Engineering, Zhejiang University (9/1/2016-6/30/2021)Exchange Student, Major in mining engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia (7/22/2015-1/22/2016) B.S. Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (9/1/2012-6/30/2016) Research Interests How the rotatory motor functionsSubcellular 3D imaging inside the cellBiosynthesis and bioengineering of microalgae cells Specialized SkillsCryo-Electron Tomography: Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling (Aquilos 1 and 2, Thermo Fisher), cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (Cryo-CLEM, Leica), data collection (FEI Polara, Krios, Glacios); Cryo-ET data processing, subtomogram averaging (i3, EMAN2), 3D modeling (Chimera, Amira, IMOD, EMAN2) Technology of flue gas CO2 fixation by microalgae: Microalgae culture, photobioreactor design, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation (FLUENT, Ansys)

Dr. Kumar earned his Ph.D. in Life Science and Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology at Jadavpur University. His work in the Liu Lab at Yale focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. Motor proteins play a crucial role in the assembly and function of bacterial secretion machinery and are highly conserved in various secretion systems, including type III (T3SS) and type IV (T4SS). Specifically, Dr. Kumar investigates the ATPase complex, a key motor protein in T3SS. His research aims to reveal the structure and exact function of this dynamic protein complex, providing valuable insights for the development of novel antibiotics.

I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Michigan State University, where I worked in the laboratory of Dr. Christoph Benning studying lipid biosynthesis in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. I completed my Ph.D. training in the laboratory of Dr. Rey Carabeo studying novel mechanisms of gene regulation in the obligately intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, during which I was awarded an F31 training grant through NIAID. This experience cultivated my continued interest in how pathogens sense and respond to their environment, particularly during infection. I therefore chose to pursue a postdoctoral position at the Yale School of Medicine in the laboratory of Dr. Eduardo Groisman studying how the model bacterial pathogen Salmonella governs central metabolic functions during nutritional stress conditions relevant to infection. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking and exploring dog parks with my canine companions.