I, Nikita Shraogi, research scholar at CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India, seeking a possible fellowship grant at Australian Institutes. Currently, I am engaged in the development of highly efficacious controlled release formulations of various commercial pesticides and micronutrients by suitably encapsulating them in various polymeric nano structures.

Currently, I am engaged in the development of highly efficacious controlled release formulations of various commercial pesticides and micronutrients by suitably encapsulating them in various polymeric nano structures. My aim is to reduce the amount of pesticide required for pest control, imparting target specificity and curtailing premature release along with safeguarding from environmental stress (pH, temp, UV etc.) and hence avoid the necessity of repetitive usage which is responsible for resistance and increasing chemical burden on the environment.  Further, to validate my claims, I am using OECD approved sentinel model systems of terrestrial and aquatic origin in our nationally NABL accredited ecotoxicology lab. I have briefly overviewed the projects and research activities that are being pursued by your group and also gone through some of your publications. I believe, working in an Australian laboratory will further strengthen my scientific understanding and would be beneficial for my research.