– Prerna S. Salian
We are delighted to welcome Prerna Salian as a touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES Future Leader 2025!
Infectious disease diagnostics, along with advances in treatment and prevention, remain critical in addressing the ongoing global health challenge. We spoke with Prerna S. Salian, Research Fellow at Breach Candy Medical Research Centre and PhD candidate in Biotechnology, whose work bridges microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and antimicrobial resistance research. Driven by a passion for translational science and mentorship, she shares her journey, inspirations, and vision for the future of infectious disease diagnostics.
Since childhood, I have wanted to contribute to better healthcare, which I believe is a fundamental right. Although I could not pursue medicine due to personal reasons, I followed my passion by completing a B.Tech in Biotechnology. During my thesis, I chose to work in a hospital setting, which sparked my interest in infectious diseases and diagnostics. With constant support from my mentors, I discovered my strength in research and progressed from Research Assistant to my current role as Research Fellow. This field excites me because it not only advances scientific understanding but also has a direct and meaningful impact on patient care and public health.
One of the most rewarding moments has been initiating my current PhD project, which focuses on validating a faster diagnostic approach for sepsis. The goal is to develop a method that is cost-effective, resource-friendly, and clinically impactful, particularly for low-resource settings. The promising pilot data we have gathered suggests that this approach could significantly reduce turnaround times and support timely, targeted therapy. Knowing that our work has the potential to bring real clinical benefit is both motivating and deeply fulfilling.
Absolutely. I owe much of my growth to Dr. Aruna Poojary and Mr. Anurag Kumar Bari, who have been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional journey. Their guidance, patience, and belief in my potential encouraged me to take on complex projects and think critically. They not only provided mentorship but also created opportunities for me to implement my ideas. I truly believe every student benefits from having mentors who recognize potential, provide a supportive platform, and encourage independent thinking, exactly what my mentors have done for me.
I am particularly excited about the potential of integrating Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These technologies could transform how infections are detected, predicted, and managed, by reducing turnaround times and enabling more personalised treatment. While standard microbiological methods will always remain essential, the ability of NGS to generate extensive datasets for bioinformatics analysis opens new dimensions in infection risk prediction and antimicrobial stewardship. One of my key objectives for my PhD is to explore this area further, applying the knowledge I have gained so far to help develop innovative, impactful diagnostic approaches.
About Prerna Salian
Prerna S. Salian is currently working as a Research Fellow at Breach Candy Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India and pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology at D. Y. Patil School of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Navi Mumbai, India. Her expertise lies in microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and antimicrobial resistance research, and she is deeply passionate about translational research aimed at improving patient care. She also mentors and guides postgraduate students in their thesis work and microbiology technique, and strongly believes that a drive and passion for research and teaching can contribute to the betterment of society by enhancing healthcare and improving patient diagnostics. Prerna is looking forward to carrying forward knowledge into the core research and development sector and is open to new opportunities that contribute to both individual growth and advancements in the field.
Further content in AMR and infectious disease diagnostics
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Editor: Katey Gabrysch, Editorial Director.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES in collaboration with Prerna Salian. The content was developed and edited by human editors. No fees or funding were associated with its publication. touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES utilize AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat). Prerna Salian has nothing to disclose in relation to this interview.
Cite: Prerna Salian. Advancing infectious disease diagnostics with Prerna Salian: touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES Future Leader 2025. 11 August 2025.
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