Srinivasan lab got its two PhD graduates in May 2024: Michael Catto and Sudeep Pandey. All the members of the Srinivasan lab attended the graduation ceremony and celebrated the event together.
Srinivasan lab members also celebrated a double graduation lunch together.
Dr. Michael Catto completed his PhD dissertation entitled: Utilizing -Omics and Big Data Approaches to Understand Phytovirus-Host-Vector Interactions in Two Pathosystems
Dr. Catto, originally from Philadelphia, PA, joined the Srinivasan Lab in the spring of 2019, bringing with him a wealth of academic and professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Astronomy from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University, where he studied under Dr. Lessick. Prior to joining the Srinivasan Lab, Dr. Catto worked in various roles that enriched his expertise. He contributed to a stink bug management lab under Dr. Dively, cared for crickets, Collembola, and fruit flies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and conducted toxicological and genetic studies on aquatic species at EAG in Easton, MD. His work at EAG included culturing and performing acute and chronic studies on midges, medaka, bluegill, and fathead minnows. He also volunteered at the Baltimore Underground Science Space (BUGSS), participating in outreach events, and served as a lab manager at Princeton University for Dr. Andolfatto, where he managed various fruit fly species and conducted genetic editing and sequencing of large fly populations.
Dr. Catto’s diverse interests and experiences have made him a valuable asset to the Srinivasan Lab. His collaborative spirit has led to multiple partnerships within and beyond the lab, resulting in three first-authored and four co-authored publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, with several more in the pipeline. During his PhD studies, he presented his research at numerous national and regional meetings, delivering four oral presentations and five poster presentations. In addition to his research, Dr. Catto was an active member of the Lund Club and volunteered for 4-H Outreach in 2019, 2022, and 2023. His efforts and achievements have been recognized through various awards and grants, including the Herbert H. Ross Memorial Scholar Award for 2022-2023, the Arthropod Genomics Symposium (AGS) Travel Grant in 2022, and a partial discount for PacBio sequencing reagents through the PacBio SMRT Grant in 2021. Dr. Catto’s extensive background and active engagement in the scientific community highlight his dedication and significant contributions to the field of biological research.
Congratulations Dr. Catto
Dr. Catto will join Dr. Michael Goodisman’s lab at Georgia Institute of Technology as a Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Sudeep Pandey completed his PhD dissertation entitled: Aphis gossypii- CLRDV-Host Interactions in Cotton Pathosystem
Dr. Pandey, from Butwal, Nepal, became a valued member of the Srinivasan Lab in the fall of 2019. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and a Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Pathology from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, India, where he studied under Dr. Nagaraju. Before joining the Srinivasan Lab, Dr. Pandey gained extensive experience in various roles. He worked as an R&D Manager (Plant Pathology) at Karma & Sons Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. in Nepal, served as a Junior Research Fellow at UAS-Bengaluru, and acted as Project Coordinator at the Tuki Association in Nepal, a position funded by the FAO. In these roles, he tackled pest and disease management in diverse cropping systems, addressing issues such as whitefly-begomovirus in leguminous crops, bacterial wilt in tomatoes, club root in cabbage, and rice blast.
Dr. Pandey’s broad interests and experiences have significantly enriched the Srinivasan Lab. His collaborative approach has fostered numerous partnerships within and outside the lab, resulting in the publication of two first-authored and four co-authored publications in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, with several additional works in progress. Throughout his PhD studies, he actively shared his research at various national and regional conferences, delivering ten oral presentations and two poster presentations. His exemplary presentations earned him eight student competition awards. Beyond his research, Dr. Pandey has been an active participant in several student organizations, including UGA Griffin Ambassadors, the Nepalese Student Association, and the Lund Club. He also played key roles as an organizer, moderator, volunteer, and judge at various Entomological Society meetings and served as a judge for the 4-H Outreach program in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Dr. Pandey’s dedication and achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and grants. Some of these include the Herbert H. Ross Memorial Scholar Award for 2023-2024, the George Hugh Boyd Memorial Scholarship for 2023-2024, the GES Outstanding PhD Student Scholarship in 2024, the Southeastern Branch Student Registration Scholarship in 2023, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Student Scholarship in 2021. His extensive background and active involvement in the scientific community underscore his commitment and significant contributions to the field of biological research.
Congratulations Dr. Pandey
Dr. Pandey will join Dr. Andrew Ogden’s CEA Breeding Lab at UGA Griffin Campus as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
