Members

Dr. Baviththira Suganthan is a Research Scientist and educator at the UGA, focusing on bio-electrochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology. She earned her BSc. in Agriculture (Biotechnology) and MSc in Applied Microbiology in Sri Lanka and completed her PhD in Biological Engineering at the UGA (2017–2022), where she engineered cyanobacteria and Pyrococcus for electricity generation and developed bacterial biosensors. She also worked at Electro Active Technologies before returning to UGA in 2024. 

Dr. Suganthan mentors both graduate and undergraduate students on various interdisplinary project at NEL. She has served as a guest editor, conference co-chair, and received multiple research, leadership, and teaching awards, including the 2026 Outstanding Research Scientist award. Outside the lab, she is a mother of two and enjoys hiking and dancing. 

Sanket Nagdeve is a PhD candidate in Biochemical Engineering at the University of Georgia. Sanket received his B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India before embarking on his doctoral journey. His research focuses on developing low-cost, point-of-care electrochemical biosensors for the early detection of oral and breast cancer biomarkers, with a particular emphasis on miRNA and antibody-based targets. He has published 4 peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences, including the Electrochemical Society, Institute of Biological Engineering and Pittcon meetings.

In addition to his research, Sanket has served as Lab Manager of the Nano Electrochemistry Lab at UGA and has mentored undergraduate and graduate students in electrochemical techniques, experimental design, and scientific writing. He is passionate about converting his academic research into real-world diagnostic tools that can improve early cancer detection in clinical settings. Outside the lab, Sanket enjoys hiking and completed the Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around the perimeter of Manhattan. He has also volunteered at Athens Humane Society and the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair.

PhD Candidate

PhD Candidate

PhD Student