The scientific and pedagogical base of the Faculty of Science of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice has been strengthened since October 2024 by a new member of the Institute of Biology and Ecology, Department of Genetics – Dr. Souvik Kusari, university professor. He is an internationally recognized expert in chemical microbiology and plant-microorganism interactions bringing a wealth of experience, innovative research methodologies, and an impressive record of scientific collaborations and publications to the faculty.
Originally from Kolkata, India, Souvik’s academic journey has been remarkable. He received his PhD in natural sciences (2010) from the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany, where he specialised in bioanalytical chemistry and plant-microorganism interactions. His work in this area, particularly with endophytic fungi, led to important discoveries in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds such as anticancer agents, including camptothecin and maytansine. His research has received international recognition, including the prestigious Arthur E. Schwarting Award (2014), which he received for his pioneering findings on the actual producers of the anticancer agent maytansine. Professor Kusari demonstrated that this substance, originally thought to be a plant metabolite, is produced by endophytes in plant roots.
During his scientific career, Professor Kusari held the position of Privatdozent at the Technical University of Dortmund, where he headed the research group on chemical microbiology. His work involved the use of advanced metabolomics approaches and imaging technologies to study the chemical basis of the biological functional properties of plants and their interactions with microorganisms. These findings had important implications for biotechnology and agriculture. Professor Kusari was also the leader of the ORDIAmur project within the German Bioeconomy 2030 programme, which focused on solving plant disease problems through the application of metabolomic and molecular methods. In terms of scientometrics, he has 67 publications in the Scopus database, for which he has recorded almost more than 5500 citations and his h-index is 36 (ORCID). His team’s results have been published in prestigious scientific journals such as Fungal Diversity, Trends in Biotechnology, Trends in Cancer, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Natural Product Reports, Environmental Pollution.
In addition to research, Professor Kusari has extensive experience in teaching and supervising students. He has so far prepared 9 PhD students, 6 post-docs, and 8 graduate students for their professional careers. He has been a lecturer and visiting scientist in Germany, the United Kingdom, Cameroon and Kenya, where he has given lectures and practical courses in microbiology, biochemistry and analytical chemistry. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and scientific achievements, including the Bronze Medal of the Faculty of Science of the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the founding of the faculty for his outstanding scientific collaboration with Professor Eva Čellárová, which has lasted for more than 15 years.
With the arrival of Professor Kusari to the Department of Genetics, new opportunities for research in the field of epigenetic regulation of biosynthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites with the prospect of their biotechnological production by fungal microorganisms as well as for further international cooperation in this innovative field are opening up. Souvik is already looking forward to further deepening the collaboration with colleagues from UPJŠ and plans to obtain advanced research grants from the EU, which could further strengthen the university’s position as a leader in this scientific field.
