MEMBERS
For Faculty, Researchers & Staff
Assistant Professor
Harsha Prakash
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture
Marine Immunology, Molecular Biology, Hybridoma technology Specialization
My name is Harsha, and I am from India. I came to Japan in 2015 as a MEXT fellow to pursue my Ph.D. in Marine Biochemistry at Kyushu University, focusing on marine immunology under Prof. Miki Nakao. After completing my Ph.D., I joined the lab as a technical staff member in 2019 and transitioned to a postdoctoral position in 2021. My current research involves developing vaccines and disease detection kits for fish using affinity silk.Starting in October 2024, I will be working in the Laboratory of Animal Life Sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture under Prof. Mako Nakamura, focusing on sustainable meat production to address global food challenges.Before coming to Japan, I worked in India as a senior project manager at a company that specialized in creating customized antibodies. I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees at VIT University in Vellore, India.In addition to my research, I have experience as a part-time English teacher and have led educational camps for students across Japan with organizations like LbE and Global Leaders. Outside of work, I enjoy making art, both traditional and digital, and I love cycling and hiking in my free time.
Biography
•Post-doctoral fellow, Animal Lifesciences Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, October 2024 –
•Post-doctoral fellow, Marine Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, July 2022 – September 2024
•Technical Staff, Marine Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, April 2019 – June 2022
•English Language teacher, Bilingual Kids House, Fukuoka, May 2019 – March 2021 (Part-time)
•Senior Project Manager, Bioklone Biotech Pvt Ltd., India June 2013 – June 2015
•Post-doctoral fellow, Marine Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, July 2022 – September 2024
•Technical Staff, Marine Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, April 2019 – June 2022
•English Language teacher, Bilingual Kids House, Fukuoka, May 2019 – March 2021 (Part-time)
•Senior Project Manager, Bioklone Biotech Pvt Ltd., India June 2013 – June 2015
Overview of Research
My research is dedicated to addressing global food scarcity issues through advancements in aquaculture and animal life sciences. I focus on developing innovative solutions for pathogen detection and prevention, utilizing recombinant silk technology to create effective and affordable tools for fish farmers. By integrating engineering approaches with biological insights, I aim to tackle the challenges of disease management in aquaculture and improve the overall health of aquatic populations.
Related Countries in Asia and Oceania
India, Japan
Message
From a young age, I have been driven by a passion for science and its potential to address global food scarcity issues. My journey in aquaculture and animal life sciences has taught me that innovation and sustainability can transform our food systems. I believe in the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in research, as these values can empower us to tackle the challenges we face today. My goal is to contribute to solutions that not only enhance food production but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we can create a sustainable future for our ecosystems and communities.
Affiliations with Academic Societies & Committee Activities
1. Member of Japanese Society of Fish Pathology, 2. Member of Japanese Society of Fisheries and Science, 3. Member of the Global Leader Team (GLT), where I work with international students to create a supportive community and promote learning through collaboration at the Global Village with LbE Japan.
Links, Personal Pages, Videos, etc.
Key Achievements
- Trang Thu Tran; Harsha Prakash; Takahiro Nagasawa; Miki Nakao; Tomonori Somamoto. Characterization of CD83 homologs differently expressed during monocytes differentiation in ginbuna crucian carp, Carassius auratus langsdorfii. Developmental and Comparitive Immunology,2024; 159: 105212. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2024.105212)
- Masaki Sukeda; Harsha Prakash; Takahiro Nagasawa; Miki Nakao; Tomonori Somamoto. Non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor protein-1 (NCCRP-1) is involved in anti-parasite innate CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in ginbuna crucian carp. Fish and Shellfish Immunology,2023; 139: 108904. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108904)
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- Tomonori Somamoto; Harsha Prakash; Katsura Kojima; Mitsuru Sato. Application of affinity silk to future aquaculture. Agribio, 2022; Vol 6 (10): 54-56.
- Harsha Prakash; Mitsuru Sato; Katsura Kojima; Atsushi Sato; Shinpei Maruyama; Takahiro Nagasawa; Miki Nakao; Tomonori Somamoto. Development of a filter device for the prevention of aquatic bacterial disease using a single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-conjugated affinity silk. Scientific Reports, 2022; 12: 9475. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13408-6)
- Koumei Shiota; Masaki Sukedai; Harsha Prakash; Masakazu Kondo; Teruyuki Nakanishi; Takahiro Nagasawa; Miki Nakao; Tomonori Somamoto. Local immune responses to two stages of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in ginbuna crucian carp. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 2021; 118: 19-24. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2021.08.0137)
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- Harsha Prakash; Takahiro Nagasawa; Tomonori Somamoto; Miki Nakao. Homeostatic functions of Tecrem, a CD46-like regulatory protein of complement activation, on epithelial cells in carp fish. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2021; 9 (7): 687. (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/7/687)
- Mekata Tohru; Jun Satoh; Koh-Ichiro Mori; Mari Inada; Dinesh Sundaram; Harsha Prakash; ITAMI Toshiaki; Sudhakaran Raja. Development of a simple, rapid, and sensitive detection assay for grouper nervous necrosis virus using real-time loop mediated isothermal amplification. Journal of Fish Diseases, 2015; 38 (10): 873-879. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfd.12297)