Fathima Salam

Aspiring researcher in Marine Microbiology with a solid background in microbiological and molecular techniques, passionate about exploring microbial diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental pathogens in aquatic systems. Dedicated to contributing to marine health and sustainable seafood safety through advanced research.

• Marine microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling
• Microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria in marine environments
• Seafood safety and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• Molecular detection of emerging aquatic pathogens
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) and metagenomics

Having worked in aquatic microbiology for more than five years, both in the lab and in the field, my research has focused on describing foodborne pathogens from marine habitats, including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp. and Arcobacter spp. In order to learn more about microbial roles in ocean health, the spread of antibiotic resistance, and molecular monitoring in aquatic systems, I am really inspired to pursue a PhD in marine microbiology. I am confident that my interdisciplinary training, scuba diving exposure, and strong publication record will allow me to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge marine microbiome research.

2022-24: DBT-JRF/SRF Fellowship, Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, 2019-21: ICAR-CIFE Institutional Fellowship, 2019: 3rd Rank in B.F.Sc by Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, 2023: Qualified ICAR-NET in Fish Processing Technology

Patent filed: "A miniaturized MPN RT-PCR for the identification of Arcobacter butzleri and a kit thereof" (Patent application No. 202521018205)

• Salam, F., Lekshmi, M., Prabhakar, P., Kumar, H.S and Nayak, B.B. (2023) Physiological characteristics and virulence gene composition of selected serovars of seafood-borne Salmonella enterica. Veterinary World 16(3): 431-438
• Stephen, J, Salam, F, Lekshmi, M, Kumar,S.H.,, and Varela, F.M. (2023)The major facilitator superfamily and antimicrobial resistance efflux pumps of the ESKAPEE pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics 12(2): 343.
• Devivilla, S., Lekshmi, M., Salam, F., Kumar,S.H., Valappil, R.K.,Roy, S.D and Nayak, B.B.(2023) Influence of polyamine production and proteolytic activities of co-cultivated bacteria on histamine production by Morganella morganii. Journal of General and Applied Microbiology 68(5):213-218
• Salam, F., Vasanthi, K., Krishna, V.S. et al. Isolation and Virulence Gene Profiling of Arcobacter spp. from Seafood and Its Environment. Current Microbiology 82, 254 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-025-04220-2
• 2024: Poster at 65th International Conference of Association of Microbiologists of India
• 2024: Prize-winning poster at 5th International Conference on Bacteriophage Research and AMR
• 2024: Poster at 14th International Conference on Frontier Areas of Science and Technology, IIT Assam
• 2022: Presentations at national and international conferences on microbial pathogens

• Biochemical quality and hazards in seafood products. In Quality analysis and packaging of seafood products, Elsevier (2024).
• Multiple training manuals for ICAR-sponsored winter schools on AMR and seafood quality (2023-2025).

• 2022-2024, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
• Conducted laboratory classes on bacterial isolation, biochemical tests, staining, microscopy, antibiotic susceptibility testing, DNA extraction, PCR, primer designing, cloning, hybridization, etc.

• Winter school on "Analytical tools in seafood quality management" (2025)
• Winter school on "AMR in food fish: Challenges and mitigation" (2023)
• Training program on "Microbiological Quality Testing of Seafood" (2022)

• B. B., Nayak, Principal Scientist, nayakbb@cife.edu.in, +91 9869253483, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, Mumbai, India
• Manjusha, L, Senior Scientist, manjusha@cife.edu.in, +91 9967648195, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, Mumbai, India
• Sanath Kumar, H, Principal Scientist, sanathkumar@cife.edu.in, +91 9504731527, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, Mumbai, India