PhD candidate in Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology.

Sristi Raj Rai completed her four-year Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Biotechnology from Kolkata, India in 2021. Her major project involved “S-denitrosylation of DJ-1-SNO, a Parkinson's-related protein”, under the supervision of Dr. Rajib Sengupta. Apart from that, she also assisted in several other minor projects. After her graduation, she did a summer internship under the supervision of Dr. Vanita Uppada, at Phyx44, CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, India, an industrial project aimed at replicating nature's recipe from bovine genes and expressing them in microbial systems to produce alternatives to Milk sustainably. 
Her curiosities led her to a Master's program in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Pavia, Italy, from which she graduated in 2023 with a thesis titled “In-vitro structure-based molecular characterization of a recombinant human collagen β(1-O) Galactosyltransferase, GLT25D1.” Following her graduation, she won a one-year research fellowship, where she continued her work with Prof. Federico Forneris. Her search for new experiences led her to an Erasmus Traineeship the following year at the Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. There, she acquired skills in the context of studying the molecular genetics and pathogenetic consequences of heritable connective tissue disorders. 
Recently, she won the “PNRR - DM 630/2024 – Investment 3.3. Innovative Doctorates” to pursue her PhD studies in Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology from IUSS, Pavia, and at Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Italy under the supervision of Prof. Federico Forneris. Her research focuses on biophysical and biochemical characterization of enzymes (in)directly linked to collagen biosynthesis. The work also requires validation of structures and associating them to proper function using various experimental techniques.

ORCID - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8717-1408