Dr. Aarti Bains

Dr. Aarti Bains is a Ph.D. in Microbiology and an accomplished academician currently serving in the School of Health Sciences and Technology at UPES. With extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic mentorship, she has established expertise in food microbiology, mushroom biotechnology, functional biopolymers, and nano-enabled bioactive systems for food and health applications. Her research focuses on the extraction, modification, and functional evaluation of bioactive compounds derived from edible and medicinal mushrooms, plant polysaccharides, and mucilage-based systems. 

She integrates microbiology with nanotechnology and food science to develop antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory applications, emphasizing sustainable and translational research approaches. Dr. Bains actively contributes to outcome-based teaching, laboratory skill development, and interdisciplinary research training at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. She also holds editorial responsibilities in reputed international journals and engages in collaborative research initiatives. Her academic vision centers on advancing applied microbiology and sustainable biotechnology to strengthen food safety, public health, and innovative health-oriented product development.

Dr. Aarti Bains is currently serving in the School of Health Sciences and Technology at UPES. Prior to joining UPES, she held academic positions at Lovely Professional University, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, and CT Group of Institutions, contributing to teaching, research, and laboratory development in microbiology and food science. 

She has been actively involved in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching, research supervision, and curriculum development. Her experience also includes interdisciplinary research collaborations in mushroom biotechnology, food microbiology, and nano-enabled bioactive systems, strengthening the integration of applied microbiology with health and food sciences.

Food microbiology; Mushroom bioactives; Fermented foods; Probiotics; Prebiotics; Antimicrobial activity; Mycobiome studies; Bioactive metabolites; Gut microbiota modulation; Natural antimicrobials; Nutraceuticals

Dr. Aarti Bains believes in fostering a student-centered and research-oriented learning environment that bridges theoretical microbiology with practical applications. She emphasizes outcome-based education, active learning, and laboratory skill development to strengthen conceptual clarity and scientific thinking. 

Through case studies, problem-based discussions, flipped classroom strategies, and real-life examples from food and health sciences, she encourages analytical reasoning and innovation. Her approach focuses on nurturing curiosity, ethical research practices, and interdisciplinary understanding, preparing students to address real-world challenges in microbiology, food safety, and sustainable biotechnology.

Dr. Aarti Bains has taught a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses in Microbiology and allied life sciences. Her teaching portfolio includes Bacteriology, Virology, General Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Parasitology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Agriculture, Food and Dairy Microbiology. 

She has also delivered laboratory-based courses in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Immunology,  Environmental Microbiology, Quality Control and Quality Assurance, and advanced Food Microbiology. Her teaching integrates theoretical foundations with practical laboratory training to enhance applied scientific competence.

Dr. Aarti Bains has been recognized for her academic and research excellence with the Best Researcher Award at Lovely Professional University. Her research activities have been supported through institutional and collaborative academic initiatives, particularly in the areas of food microbiology, mushroom biotechnology, and nano-enabled bioactive systems. These recognitions highlight her commitment to high-quality research, innovation, and interdisciplinary scientific advancement.

Dr. Aarti Bains is actively engaged in scholarly activities that reflect her academic leadership and commitment to advancing microbiology and food sciences. She serves in key editorial roles, including Associate Editor of npj Science of Food and Guest Editor for special issues in reputed international journals such as Food Bioscience. Through these responsibilities, she contributes to shaping emerging research themes in food microbiology, biopolymers, fermentation biotechnology, and sustainable bioactive systems. 

She has edited international academic books with recognized publishers and regularly contributes to peer review activities for leading journals in microbiology, biotechnology, and food science. Her scholarly engagement extends to interdisciplinary research collaborations, academic workshops, and faculty development programs focused on innovation, spectroscopy, digital learning, and research methodologies. 

Dr. Bains is actively involved in mentoring doctoral and postgraduate scholars, guiding them in experimental design, laboratory techniques, and scientific publication. Her scholarly work integrates applied microbiology with nanotechnology and functional food research, fostering translational outcomes that strengthen food safety, health-oriented innovations, and sustainable biotechnological applications.

aarti.bains@upes.ac.in