Ashwath Kumar

The Journey
So Far.

My name is Ashwath Kumar Balu, though in the digital space, I build under the banner of Alpha Knight. My journey is not a standard academic straight line. During my undergraduate studies, I recognized a logistical gap in student housing and launched Annabhojanam, a subscription-based food delivery service. I made the difficult but necessary executive decision to shut it down sue to logistic nightmare. That failure was my greatest masterclass in business operations, logistics, and knowing when to pivot. I redirected that aggressive entrepreneurial energy entirely into deep tech. I went on to qualify GATE BT (2024) with an All India Rank of 402 and IIT JAM. Today, I operate at the intersection of computational biology and strategic execution. I am currently pursuing my Master's at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad while preparing for my role as a Computational Chemist at Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd in Japan.

Education

Current

M.Tech Medical Biotechnology

IIT Hyderabad

Focus Area: Microscopy, Biomolecular NMR, Structural Bioinformatics, Protein Misfolding, and Molecular Biotechnology.

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Thenmalarchelvi Rathinavelan

2020 - 2024

B.Tech Biotechnology

PSG College of Technology

Focus Area: Genomics, Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Thermodynamics, and Bioinformatics.

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Selvi Subramanian

Publications

Published 2024

Deciphering the Anticancer Arsenal of Piper longum: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Unveil Phytochemical Targets Against Lung Cancer

This study maps the complex, multi-target interactions of Piper longum phytochemicals against lung cancer pathways. By integrating network pharmacology and molecular docking, we decoded key therapeutic targets to accelerate natural product-based oncology drug discovery.

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Published 2025

Comprehensive analysis of Syzygium cumini L. pomace extract as an α-amylase inhibitor: In vitro inhibition, kinetics, and computational studies

Combining in vitro kinetic assays with advanced computational modeling, this research validates the efficacy of Syzygium cumini pomace as a potent α-amylase inhibitor. The findings provide a dual experimental-computational framework for developing plant-based therapeutics for metabolic disorders.

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BioRxiv 2025

Modulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Stm1 and human Aβ42 amyloid fibril morphology by Ac-BIM Acid

Investigating the structural dynamics of protein misfolding, this study demonstrates how a novel synthetic compound successfully alters the morphology of human A$\beta$42 amyloid fibrils. This research offers critical mechanistic insights into designing anti-amyloidogenic therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.

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Under Review

NuCDB: A databank of nucleic acids circular dichroism spectra

A comprehensive bioinformatics resource consolidating circular dichroism spectra of nucleic acids. This databank streamlines access to vital structural data, empowering researchers to rapidly analyze conformational dynamics in computational and structural biology.

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Experience

Nihon Nohyaku, Japan

Computational Chemist

Interned on structure-based drug design, molecular docking, and drug screening to identify potential therapeutic leads. Utilizing various structure prediction tools to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of drug discovery.

Biotech Society

President

Spearheading a dynamic, student-driven organization in Dept. of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad. I manage club operations, orchestrate high-level journal clubs, facilitate guest lectures, and foster a community of next-generation biotech leaders focused on real world execution.

IIT Hyderabad

Teaching Assistant

Facilitating advanced biotechnology coursework and laboratory modules. I focus on breaking down complex biological and computational systems into digestible, actionable frameworks for students, assisting faculty in maintaining strict academic rigor.

CSIR CFTRI

Research Intern

Leading critical research on the regulation of one-carbon metabolism in breast cancer. My work centers on extracting and analyzing serum-derived extracellular vesicles to decode hidden cellular communication pathways and uncover potential novel biomarkers.

BIRAC EYUVA

Research Fellow

Operating at the intersection of scientific research and bio-entrepreneurship. I drive commercially viable biotech projects from conceptualization toward translational reality, applying my startup mechanics to biological problem-solving with the backing of India's premier biotechnology council.

Skills

Genomics
Transcriptomics
Autodock4
Autodock Vina
MD - GROMACS
MD - AMBER
Cytoscape
Python
R
Bash
HTML
CSS
Cell culture
DLS
Western Blotting
SDS PAGE
HPLC
Biorender
Western Blotting