DC7 - Hashmat Bakshi

Fellow Presentation :

Before joining the FAIROmics project, I completed my Master’s in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris. Along the way, I explored everything from thin-film surface modification to designing medical training devices and building ultrasound-based tumour ablation toolboxes. My thesis? Developing a simulation framework for transporting passive objects via phototaxis-driven active matter—essentially herding particles with light, like a sci-fi-inspired shepherd. Before that, I earned my Bachelor of Engineering as a Dalyell Scholar at the University of Sydney, where my honours thesis delved into quantum tunnelling and heavy-ion fusion—a topic I pursued partly out of passion and partly because it sounded cool in a movie. 

Now, as a PhD fellow in FAIROmics, my work as DC7 focuses on identifying the genes and proteins that govern cellular responses and behaviour. The ultimate goal is to develop methods for controlling and optimising gene regulation in microorganism populations. In the context of FAIROmics, this means steering microbial systems to desired states—whether that’s for fermentation, bioprocess optimisation, or other applications. It’s an exciting opportunity to combine systems biology and genetic programming to push the boundaries of sustainable bioprocessing. Joining a consortium of people from such diverse fields, I can’t wait to learn, collaborate, and innovate.

Outside research, I’m someone who grew up on the beaches of Sri Lanka, finds joy in strumming my guitar, writing, and diving into the ocean—sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally. Perhaps my proudest non-academic achievement: caring for over 50 stray dogs during two unforgettable years in India, managing their health, adoptions, and well-being. Whether it’s animals, oceans, or new challenges, I’m a firm believer that life’s richness lies in its variety—and I’m always ready for the next adventure.