Dr. Indu Sharma is a microbiologist/biotechnologist with extensive training in molecular microbiology and parasitology. She is particularly interested in host-microbial interactions and functional characterizations of novel environmental microbial isolates. Her research methods often make use of next-generation sequencing in addition to traditional microbiological and cell biology laboratory techniques. Her research interests include but not limited to understanding the ecological benefit of having specific bacterial cell shape, horizontal gene transfer, and temperate bacteriophages from environmental isolates. She is passionate about providing authentic research experience to undergraduate minority students to pursue a career in the STEM field.