About Me
Hi there! My name is Noel Joseph Saji, a 2024 Biotechnology engineering graduate from Delhi Technological University (DTU) in India and an aspiring animatronics engineer.
From a young age I have been interested in Biology, Arts and Engineering. I became a part of Fab Academy to learn the digital fabrication tools that I will require oustide of a lab in order to create beautiful machines that mimic life (at least some part of it). In line with this, I was always interested by the field of animatronics, especially the ground breaking work done by Stan Winston for Jurrasic Park. The lifelike T-rex in the film became a pivotal moment for me, showing how engineers and artists can come together to create art that truly mimics life. This blend of technology and artistry, first popularised by Walt Disney (who coined the name animatronics by merging animate and electronics) has driven my passion to pursue this unique field.
My Past Work
As part of my undergraduate research work, I worked on the production and enhancement of cellulase enzymes derived from a genetically modified Penicillium funiculosum fungal strain termed PfOAO3. This fungus is well known for its potential in hydrolyzing cellulosic biomass, and this specific strain was modified to enhance this property for use in industrial production of biofuels. I conducted two experiments, the first experiment delved into cellulase production by PfOAO3, employing various analytical techniques. The second experiment aimed to enhance cellulase production by utilising Ethyl Methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis.