Nikhil Ashtekar

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT NIKHIL ASHTEKAR

From uncovering new fungal members to enhancing crop resilience—Hi, I\'m Dr. Nikhil Ashtekar! I am currently honing my skills as a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of North Carolina. I have advanced as a dedicated mycologist with extensive experience in molecular biology 🧬 and plant pathology.🧪 My scientific adventure during my Ph.D. involved profound breakthroughs like identifying three novel Penicillium species and establishing a series-level classification in section Citrina of genus Penicillium. As a team member, I was also involved in the discovery of few novel fungal genera and species. With a deep-rooted passion for mycology, my work spans over 18 Peer Reviewed International Publications having 300+ citations on Goole Scholar and impactful conference participations. I thrive in environments that challenge the status quo of fungal taxonomy and have been recognized with a Senior Research Fellowship award from CSIR, India for my innovative project insights.🧫 My toolkit is rich with advanced skills in genomic DNA extractions and sequencing, phylogenetical analysis, and experiment design. Let’s connect if you are interested in making significant strides in mycology, plant health, or biodiversity. I am keen on collaborating on projects, exchanging ideas, and contributing to push scientific understanding forward.