Deep Jyoti Bhuyan

Dr Bhuyan is a Research Support Program Fellow, International Engagement Coordinator, and HDR Coordinator at NICM Health Research Institute (NICM HRI). At NICM HRI, he oversees The GutBiotics Lab, investigating the correlation between gut microbial metabolites (postbiotics) and human health. Dr Bhuyan's research group studies the therapeutic potential of postbiotics and phytochemicals from Australian native plants, focusing on their molecular mechanisms of action against cancer as well as the development of natural product-based therapies for bacterial and viral diseases.

In 2023, Dr Bhuyan was appointed NICM HRI's International Engagement Coordinator, tasked with strengthening the institute's collaboration with India through research partnerships, policy development, and scholar exchange programs. Subsequently, he took on the role of NICM HRI’s HDR Coordinator after briefly acting as the HDR Director. He works closely with the HDR Director to streamline candidature processes and cultivate a supportive environment for over 40 HDR students.

Dr Bhuyan earned his PhD from the University of Newcastle, focusing on the anticancer and antimicrobial properties of phenolic compounds and antioxidants in Australian Eucalyptus species at the molecular level. His research at NICM HRI is supported by government, industry, and university grants, including funding from various organisations. He has also cultivated active collaborations with more than 40 international organisations globally.

Before coming to Australia, Dr Bhuyan held the position of Senior Research Fellow in probiotic food development at Assam Agricultural University, overseeing projects funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. With a background in applied microbiology and cancer biology, he has extensive experience in government and industry-funded research projects in food chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology in India and Australia.

Dr Bhuyan has produced several peer-reviewed journal articles and invited book chapters, and presented his research at national and international conferences. He has also written for The Conversation on postbiotics which has been featured in television and radio interviews, receiving global media coverage. His contributions and commitment to the research community are recognised by his involvement with various external committees and advisory boards, including the NHMRC Grant Review Working Committee and FOODiQ Global. Currently, he provides supervision and guidance to 15 PhD and MRes students while actively promoting science communication and STEM education on social media.

Research focus

• Gut microbiota
• Postbiotics
• Phytochemicals and antioxidants
• Synergistic mechanisms
• Combination therapy
• Anticancer agents
• Antimicrobial agents

Projects and grants

Dr Bhuyan's research has been supported by several external funding agencies including government and industry.

See a list of past and current projects.(opens in a new window)

Awards and recognitions

• 2023 Marcus Blackmore Outstanding Contribution to Research, Education or Training Award by Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA)
• 2023 Universal Scientific Education and Research Network Nominee
• 2022 People’s Choice Award, Research Impact Competition, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2022 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence as an Early Career Researcher Award – Nominee, Western Sydney University
• 2022 Researcher Development Early Career Researcher Award, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2021 Research Partnership Program Grant, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2021 Research Support Program Fellowship, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2020 Early Career Research Excellence Award, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2019 John and Daphne Keats Endowment Research Fund, The University of Newcastle, Australia
• 2016 Research Higher Degree Conference Scholarship, The University of Newcastle, Australia
• 2014 International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Central Postgraduate Research Scholarship, The University of Newcastle, Australia
• 2011 Senior Research Fellowship, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Assam Agricultural University, India
• 2010 Travel Grant, Graduate Training Program “Viruses of the immune system” GRK 1071, Friedrich Alexander University, Germany and the Harvard Medical School, United States of America
• 2010 Research Internship, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence, India
• 2010 Merit Certificate and Merit Scholarship for the best academic performance for the academic year 2009-2010, VIT University, India
• 2009 Merit Certificate and Merit Scholarship for the best academic performance for the academic year 2008-2009, VIT University, India

Affiliations

• 2023 Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars Society
• 2023 Universal Scientific Education and Research Network
• 2023 Polyphenols Applications
• 2023 Committee Member, Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars Society
• 2022 Committee Member, NHMRC – Ideas Grants Peer Review Working Committee 2022
• 2022 International Society for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research
• 2020 NSW Cardiovascular Research Network, National Heart Foundation
• 2019 The Good Practice In Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association
• 2017 Pharmacological Society of Singapore
• 2016 Institute of Food Technologists, Chicago, USA
• 2015 Australian Society of Medical Research
• 2014 Hunter Medical Research Institute
• 2014 Pancreatic Cancer Research Group, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia
• 2010 Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence, India
• Invited Scientific Expert, Hort Innovation and FOODiQ Global
• Global Advisory Board Member, ViGA
• Guest Editor, Frontiers in Nutrition
• Guest Editor, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
• Review Board Member, Cancers, MDPI
• Review Board Member, Microorganisms, MDPI
• Committee Member, Western Sydney University Microbiology Interest Society
• Committee Member, Western Sydney University Microbiome Interest Group
• Committee Member, National Science Centre Poland, European Commission

Education

• 2018 PhD in Food Science, The University of Newcastle, Australia
• 2010 Master of Science Applied Microbiology, VIT University, India
• 2008 Bachelor of Science Biotechnology, Bangalore University, India

Publications

For a full listing of publications please see:

• WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PROFILE (opens in a new window)
• ORCID (opens in a new window)
• GOOGLE SCHOLAR (opens in a new window)
• RESEARCHGATE (opens in a new window)
• THE CONVERSATION (opens in a new window)