Dr Roopnarain is a Senior Researcher and leader of the Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group (MEBRG) at the Agricultural Research Councill – Soil, Climate, and Water (ARC-SCW). Roopnarain’s PhD research was related to biodiesel production from microalgae. This work sparked her interest in environmental preservation by means of biofuel generation. During her postdoc, Roopnarain contributed significantly to the development of the first biogas research laboratory at ARC-SCW and was involved in numerous biogas related projects. She was employed as a Researcher and later promoted to Senior Researcher in 2019. Projects that are currently underway within her research group are related to renewable energy, nanotechnology, endophytes, medicinal plants, bioremediation, and beneficial microbe conservation. Roopnarain has extensive experience in student mentorship, grant acquisition, research, and development. She has attended many scientific conferences and workshops and has published several peer-reviewed scientific articles, book chapters, and popular articles. Apart from research, she was part of the Eskom Expo judging panel in 2018 and 2019 and she is involved in training and mentoring of undergraduates. Roopnarain strives towards the generation of commercially viable commodities for a sustainable transition to a climate-resilient, resource-efficient, healthier and prosperous future.
