Expert Mentor Network

Dr. Sarika A R is a microbiologist and science administrator with over a decade of experience shaping Kerala’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and is the Scientist-in-Charge of the Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC), the state’s nodal agency for biotechnology promotion. She served as Project Coordinator for establishing the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), Kerala’s first dedicated virus research institute. At KBC, she leads biotechnology policy initiatives, research–industry collaborations, capacity-building programmes, and activities such as the Bioentrepreneurship Certification Programme. She is also the Nodal Officer for the DBT-funded Skill Vigyan Programme in Kerala. Dr. Sarika has authored several research publications in microbiology and applied biotechnology.