Ashok Garai

ashok.garai@lnmiit.ac.in

Date of joining:

18-05-2016

Department:

Physics

Summary

Dr. Ashok Garai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at The LNM Institute of Information Technology. He joined LNMIIT in 2016 and served as the department head from May 2023 to November 2024. He specializes in theoretical and computational biophysics, statistical mechanics, and DNA nanomechanics. His research focuses on understanding complex biological systems through mathematical modeling, simulations, and statistical physics. Dr. Garai has made significant contributions in molecular motor transport, stochastic genetic network modeling, single-molecule biophysics, and DNA elasticity. His work combines theoretical frameworks with computational simulations to study active biological processes and biomolecular behavior. Several of his publications explore DNA mechanics, molecular transport systems, and the effects of ionic liquids on DNA rigidity. Academically, he earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 2010, specializing in molecular motor transport and traffic. He subsequently completed postdoctoral research at institutions including Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, University of California, San Diego, USA, and the Indian Institute of Science, India. Beyond research, Dr. Garai actively contributes to teaching and academic mentoring at LNMIIT, including advanced courses in statistical mechanics and interdisciplinary physics. He has also delivered invited talks at national and international conferences related to polymer science, DNA physics, and soft matter research.

Biography

Dr. Ashok Garai is an accomplished academician and researcher in theoretical and computational biophysics at The LNM Institute of Information Technology. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and has been associated with LNMIIT since May 2016. His academic work bridges physics, biology, and computational science, with a strong focus on understanding complex biological systems through statistical mechanics and mathematical modeling. Dr. Garai completed his Ph.D. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 2010, where his research centered on molecular motor transport and traffic. Following his doctoral studies, he pursued postdoctoral research at internationally recognized institutions, including Jacobs University Bremen, University of California, San Diego, and the Indian Institute of Science. These experiences strengthened his expertise in genetic networks, single-molecule biophysics, and DNA nanomechanics. His primary research interests include statistical mechanics, molecular motors, stochastic genetic networks, DNA elasticity, and computational biophysics. Dr. Garai has contributed significantly to understanding DNA mechanics and molecular transport systems through theoretical models and molecular dynamics simulations. Several of his notable publications, such as "DNA Elasticity from Short DNA to Nucleosomal DNA", “Ionic liquids make DNA rigid”, and “What do we know about DNA mechanics so far?”, have gained recognition in the scientific community for advancing knowledge in DNA biophysics and nanotechnology. At LNMIIT, Dr. Garai has actively contributed to both research and teaching. He has guided students in interdisciplinary research projects and has been involved in sponsored scientific research funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. One of his major projects focused on the elasticity of telomeric DNA and the effect of protein binding using theoretical polymer models and simulations. Apart from his research contributions, Dr. Garai is also recognized for his participation in national and international conferences, where he has delivered invited talks on DNA physics, soft matter, spectroscopy, and statistical biophysics. His dedication to interdisciplinary scientific research and academic mentorship has made him an important member of the Physics Department at LNMIIT.

Research Area

I am a theoretical and computational biophysicist deeply committed to interdisciplinary research. My expertise and research interests primarily revolve around theoretical and computational biophysics. Throughout my career, I have delved into diverse areas, including molecular motor transport and traffic, stochastic modeling of genetic networks, theoretical frameworks for single-molecule biophysics, and the mechanics of DNA nanotechnology. My approach involves crafting quantitative theoretical models to decipher the workings of active biological processes, which I then validate through simulations. Looking ahead, I aspire to explore broader challenges in statistical physics, with a particular emphasis on their applications within the realm of biology. Research areas in brief: Statistical Mechanics and its application to biological systems, Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, molecular motors, genetic motifs, single molecule biophysics, and DNA Nano-mechanics.