Dr Aswathyraj holds an MSc in Clinical Virology and a PhD in Virology from the prestigious Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka. Her career has been marked by her contributions to various research institutions. She has served as a Senior Research Officer at the Manipal Institute of Virology, where she gained valuable insights into the field of clinical and diagnostic virology. Additionally, she has held the position of Research Associate at the Inter-University Centre for Biomedical Research and Super Speciality Hospital (IUCBR & SSH), MG university , Kottayam. Dr. Aswathyraj’s research endeavors have the potential to significantly impact public health by advancing our understanding of viral diseases and improving diagnostic capabilities. Her work contributes to the development of effective strategies to combat these diseases and protect public health.
Institute of Advanced Virology, Trivandrum
Interuniversity Center for Biomedical Research and Superspeciality Hospital, MG university, Kottayam.
Manipal Institute of Virology, MAHE , Manipal
Manipal Institute of Virology, MAHE , Manipal
Public health virology, Clinical & Diagnostic virology, Emerging and remerging viral diseases, Development of diagnostic assays , Biosafety and Biosecurity
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
2024
Life Member, Indian Virological Society (LM-424/IVS/2024)
2014
International Mobility Grant for Doctoral Students, the Partnership of Excellence between Lille 2 University, France and Manipal University, India.
2013
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Fellowship- Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India
The research project aims to develop advanced diagnostic tools and investigate the genetic diversity of viral pathogens prevalent in Kerala. A key focus is the development of a multiplex diagnostic kit for flavivirus infections, particularly dengue and Zika. Additionally, we are developing an indirect ELISA test for the diagnosis of various pathogens
In parallel, the project also explores the genetic characterization of pathogenic viruses currently circulating in Kerala, including RSV, influenza, measles, mumps, and others. By viral genome analysis , we aim to track the emergence and spread of new strains and identify potential drug targets. A comprehensive virus repository is being established to facilitate future virus research, vaccine development, and diagnostic assay development.
Furthermore, the team is developing in-house multiplex PCR assays to enhance the efficiency and affordability of viral detection. By addressing these key areas, the research project aims to improve public health by enhancing diagnostic capabilities, facilitating timely interventions, and contributing to the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.
2025-2028
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Burden estimation and the development of a monoclonal antibody-based point of care diagnostic—ICMR, Govt. of India
2022-2026
New generation multiplex diagnostic platforms against viral syndromes causing acute febrile illness in Kerala—Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of Kerala
2024-2027
Burden estimation and the development of a monoclonal antibody-based point of care diagnostic – ICMR, Govt. of India
Aneesh, B., Swapna K Pillai, Chippy, P.S., Megha Chandran, Arun V Jose, Lalitha Kailas, M Neziya, S Aswathyraj, E Sreekumar. Human bocavirus infections in pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, India. Arch Virol 170, 36 (2025).
Arunkumar, G., Devadiga, S., McElroy, A. K., Prabhu, S., Sheik, S., Abdulmajeed, J., Robin, S., Sushama, A., Jayaram, A., Nittur, S., Shakir, M., Kumar, K. G. S., Radhakrishnan, C., Sakeena, K., Vasudevan, J., Reena, K. J., Sarita, R. L., Klena, J. D., Spiropoulou, C. F., Laserson, K. F., … Nichol, S. T. (2019). Adaptive Immune Responses in Humans During Nipah Virus Acute and Convalescent Phases of Infection. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 69(10), 1752–1756.
Arunkumar, G., Abdulmajeed, J., Santhosha, D., Aswathyraj, S., Robin, S., Jayaram, A., Radhakrishnan, C., Sajeeth, K. K. G., Sakeena, K., Jayasree, V., Reena, J. K., & Sarita, L. R. (2019). Persistence of Nipah Virus RNA in Semen of Survivor. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 69(2), 377–378.
Arunkumar, G., Chandni, R., Mourya, D. T., Singh, S. K., Sadanandan, R., Sudan, P., Bhargava, B., & Nipah Investigators People and Health Study Group (2019). Outbreak Investigation of Nipah Virus Disease in Kerala, India, 2018. The Journal of infectious diseases, 219(12), 1867–1878.
Sanjay, R. E., Sabeena, S., Robin, S., Shaji, J. T., Jayakrishnan, M. P., Suresh, E. K. K., Michael, C. J., Aswathyraj, S., Josmi, J., Shahin, S., Anup, J., & Arunkumar, G. (2021). Genetic analysis of Enterovirus D68 associated with pneumonia in children from South India. Journal of medical microbiology, 70(5), 10.1099/jmm.0.001356.
Sanjay, R. E., Josmi, J., Sasidharanpillai, S., Shahin, S., Michael, C. J., Sabeena, S., Aswathyraj, S., Kavitha, K., Shilpa, C., Prasada, S. V., Anup, J., & Arunkumar, G. (2022). Molecular epidemiology of enteroviruses associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease in South India from 2015 to 2017. Archives of virology, 167(11), 2229–2238.
Aswathyraj, S., Sane, F., Raghu, C., Sabeena, S., Alidjinou, E. K., Arunkumar, G., & Hober, D. (2018). Serum-derived IgG from coxsackievirus A6-infected patients can enhance the infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with coxsackievirus A6. Microbial pathogenesis, 125, 7–11.
Aswathy raj, Sabeena, S., Bhat, K. G., Bharani, K. C., Ramachandran, S., & Arunkumar, G. (2018). Coxsackievirus a6 (Cv-a6) encephalomyelitis in an immunocompromised child: A case report and brief review of the literature. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 71(5), 388-389.
Aswathyraj, S., Arunkumar, G., Alidjinou, E. K., & Hober, D. (2016). Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD): emerging epidemiology and the need for a vaccine strategy. Medical microbiology and immunology, 205, 397-407
Chelluboina, S., Robin, S., Aswathyraj, S., & Arunkumar, G. (2019). Persistence of antibody response in chikungunya. VirusDisease, 30(3), 469-473.
Sabeena, S., Bhat, P., Kamath, V., Mathew, M., Aswathyraj, S., Devadiga, S., … & Arunkumar, G. (2016). Detection of genital HPV infection using urine samples: A population based study in India. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 17(3), 1083-1088
Sabeena, S., Bhat, P. V., Kamath, V., Aswathyraj, S., & Arunkumar, G. (2015). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Concerning Human Papilloma Virus Infection and its Health Effects among Rural Women, Karnataka, South India. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP, 16(12), 5053-5058
Pooja S, Sabeena S, Revti B, Rajendra K, Aswathyraj S, Giselle D, Hindol M, Arunkumar G. Circulating Genotypes of Dengue-1 Virus in South West India, 2014-2015. Japanese journal of infectious diseases. 2017 Nov 22;70(6):663-5
Sabeena S, Kuriakose S, Abdulmajeed J, Dsouza G, , Aswathyraj S, Devadiga S, Ravishankar N, Arunkumar G. The Utility of Urine-Based Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening in Low-Resource Settings. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP. 2019 Aug 1;20(8):2409-13.
Nikitha S, Sabeena S, Robin S, Aswathyraj S, Devadiga S, Anup J, Arunkumar G. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis C antibody among acute febrile illness cases in Idar Taluk, Gujarat, West India. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2019 Apr-Jun;37(2):225-229
Project Research Scientist-II
aneeshb@d1.iav.res.in
Project Associate
minjuiav@gmail.com
Project Technical Support III
sreenandanapshaji@gmail.com
Project Technical Support III
nithinrv42@gmail.com
PhD student
amruthapnair@d1.iav.res.in