Email | pritam8683@gmail.com
Research area | Conservation Biology / Biodiversity / Global Change Biology

Research Interests

I am deeply passionate about biodiversity, species interactions, and evolution. Currently, my focus lies in the development of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a non-destructive method for biodiversity monitoring. Environmental DNA refers to the genetic material shed by organisms into the environment during their presence. By collecting these genetic signatures, we gain insights into species presence, interactions, and overall community-level biodiversity. My objective is to standardize eDNA-based methods for monitoring species interactions across various environments. During my Ph.D. studies, I delved into understanding invasion dynamics and developing species-specific monitoring techniques for two highly invasive species, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata. Additionally, I applied eDNA-based approaches to elucidate biodiversity changes in rice fields at different stages of rice growth. Moreover, I conducted a pilot study utilizing eDNA for monitoring plant-animal interactions in papaya and pineapples. In my current role at Evolab, I am dedicated to standardizing eDNA methods to enhance the detection of invasive species and understand species interactions. I am conducting comparative studies between traditional methods such as malaise traps and pan taps, and eDNA-based methods across the Pacific islands, including Hawaii and Guam. The aim is to develop a cost-effective and user-friendly strategy for biodiversity monitoring. Furthermore, my future aspirations include investigating changes in species interactions across native and non-native plant species in Hawaii.

Current Projects