Focus of Research :
- Fish Nutrition
- Thraustochytrids
- Microbiology
- Transcriptomics
- Lipidomics
- Nutritional metabolomics
Background :
I was born and raised in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. I commenced my career with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on January 1, 2016, as a scientist specializing in Fish Nutrition. With over eight years of experience in the cutting-edge field of molecular nutrition for aquatic animals, my research spans various aspects including nutritional physiology, transcriptomics, and lipidomics. My work has involved studying diverse aquatic species such as Labeo rohita, Lates calcarifer, Panulirus homarus, and Danio rerio.
During my PhD, I delved into the tissue-specific molecular changes associated with diet-induced hyperlipidemia in zebrafish. Additionally, I investigated the changes in the transcriptomic and lipidomic landscapes of zebrafish upon the reversal of hyperlipidemia by microbe-derived bioactive compounds like β-glucans and docosahexaenoic acid. At present, my research focusses on investigating how dietary lipids from ingredients other than fish oil influence the transcriptomic and lipidomic profiles of teleost model species and farmed marine fishes.
To date, I have authored and co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed research and review papers, with an average impact factor of 4.1. My publications have earned an h-index of 16 and an i10-index of 20. Additionally, I am a reviewer for more than 25 peer-reviewed journals, including Scientific Reports, BMC Genomics, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Nutrition, Aquaculture Research, Frontiers in Physiology, British Journal of Nutrition and Fish and Shellfish Immunology.
Education :
- BFSc (2012) in Fisheries Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- MFSc (2014) in Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
- PhD (2023) in Aquatic Biosciences and Aquaculture at Nord University, Bodø, Norway
PhD Thesis Title:
Insights from a zebrafish model to combat dyslipidemia using microbe-derived bioactive compounds
Current Research Projects :
No | Title |
| 1 | As Principal Investigator: Development of a sustainable aquafeed with docosahexaenoic acid rich Aurantiochytrium as an alternative to fish oil for enhancing Silver pompano nutrition, funded by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. |
| 2 | As Co-Principal Investigator: Ultrasound- and enzyme-assisted production of low-molecular weight alginate oligosaccharides from Sargassum wightii and Turbinaria ornata as immunomodulatory feed additive for sustainable health management of Silver pompano, funded by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. |
Awards & Recognitions :
- Participated in the Indian Arctic Expedition 2025 funded by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India 2025
- Best Poster (Most Eye Catching) Award at the 20th (Zebra)fish Immunology/Vaccination Workshop held at Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands.
- Awarded ICAR International Fellowship for undertaking PhD program in a foreign country.
- 1st Rank Holder in Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Exam in Fish Nutrition.
- Gold medal award for 1st position in Master Degree Program from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education.
- Ranked 32nd in All India Entrance Examinations (ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2012) for admission in Master Degree Program at Central Institute of Fisheries Education.
Publications:
- Ain, Q. U., Baiju, P., Rehman, S., Chakraborty, K., Pai, A. A., Chandrasekar, S., ... & Gora, A. H. (2026). Polyphasic in vitro characterization of the pigment-producing microfungus Rhodotorula for potential application as a probiotic in mariculture. Frontiers in Nutrition, 13, 1759183. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1759183
- Gora, A. H., Rehman, S., Dias, J., Fernandes, J. M., Olsvik, P. A., Sørensen, M., & Kiron, V. (2023). Microbial oil, alone or paired with β-glucans, can control hypercholesterolemia in a zebrafish model. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1868(11), 159383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2023.159383.
- Gora, A. H., Rehman, S., Dias, J., Fernandes, J. M., Olsvik, P. A., Sørensen, M., & Kiron, V. (2023). Protective mechanisms of a microbial oil against hypercholesterolemia: evidence from a zebrafish model. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1161119
- Gora, A. H., Rehman, S., Kiron, V., Dias, J., Fernandes, J. M., Olsvik, P. A., ... & Cardoso, M. (2022). Management of hypercholesterolemia through dietary ß-glucans–insights from a zebrafish model. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 797452. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.797452.
- Gora, A. H., Kiron, V., Rehman, S., Ebeneezar, S., Selvam, C., Prabu, D. L., ... & Chakraborty, K. (2025). Harnessing the potential of thraustochytrids as lipid sources in aquafeeds: a comprehensive review of benefits and challenges. Bioresource Technology Reports, 102414. 1016/j.biteb.2025.102414
