Principal Investigator
Saurabh Chatterjee, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health
Professor of Medicine, UCI School of Medicine
Dr. Chatterjee is a human physiologist with specialized training in immunology. After completing his PhD in inflammation biology at Bhabha Atomic Research Center, he pursued his postdoctoral work at NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Later he continued his specialized research in chronic liver disease at Duke University’s division of gastroenterology under the K99 portion of his NIH Pathway to Independence Award. He has made significant contributions to the field of host-microbiome interactions with redox biology, neuroimmune pathology, and gut-brain interactions in pro-inflammatory disease processes, including Gulf War illness, chronic multi-symptom illnesses and brain manifestations of liver diseases, drug discovery, and gut-brain directed therapeutics.
In addition to his UCI appointments, he is a research health scientist with Department of Veterans Affairs at the Long Beach VA Medical Center.
Lab Members
Ram Kumar, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Hi, my name is Ram Kumar. I completed my bachelor’s in life science and master’s in biotechnology. After that, I did my Ph.D. in microbiology. I joined Dr. Chatterjee’s lab in October 2024. My research focuses on elucidating the effects of Gulf War toxins on the gut microbiota and how gut dysbiosis contributes to the physiopathology and immunopathology of Gulf War illness. I am particularly interested in exploring the broader implications of climate change and environmental toxins on microbial communities and their subsequent role in the development of systemic diseases. Besides research, I have a deep passion for cooking, which allows me to explore different cuisines and experiment with new flavors.
Subhajit Roy
Ph.D. Student
Madhura More
Ph.D. Student
Hi, I’m Madhura More, a Ph.D. student in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. I did my bachelor’s and master’s in biotechnology, and my research focuses on understanding how climate change-driven environmental hazards, like cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, and bacterial infections contribute to complex public health challenges. Through this work, I aim to uncover strategies for mitigating these interconnected health risks via dietary or therapeutic interventions. When I’m not in the lab or classroom, I enjoy crocheting, reading, listening to music, and perfecting my biryani recipe in the kitchen!
Ayushi Trivedi
Ph.D. Student
I am a third-year PhD student investigating the mechanisms underlying Gulf War Illness (GWI), with a particular focus on gut dysbiosis and neuroinflammation. After graduating with a Master’s in Biotechnology, I gained extensive research experience in reproductive toxicology at ICMR-NIRRCH in Mumbai, India. My current research utilizes advanced mouse models, including humanized mice, to explore the interactions between microbial dysbiosis, immune activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the brain. By integrating microbiome analysis, immune cell profiling, and behavioral assessments, I aim to unravel the gut-brain axis role in the chronic symptoms of GWI. At present, I am studying the therapeutic potential of spermidine in mitigating GWI pathophysiology. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling, cooking, painting, watching movies/ TV series, and exploring new places.
Subham Sarkar
Ph.D. Student
I am a new member and a Ph.D. student in Environmental Health Sciences at UCI. After my master’s degree in Zoology, I worked in a couple of research institutes to gain some work experience and here I am now! Besides doing science, I love singing, adventure sports and I have a knack for trying different cuisines.
Lab alumni
- Dr. Punnag Saha
- Dr. Dipro Bose
- Dr. Somdatta Chatterjee
- Dr. Sutapa Sarkar
- Dr. Ayan Mondal
- Dr. Muayad Al-Badrani
- Dr. Diana Kimono
- Dr. Diptadip Dattaroy
- Dr. Firhas Alhasson
- Dr. Varun Chandrashekaran
- Dr. Suvarthi Das
- Dr. Ratanesh Seth