Pratik Banerjee

Pratik Banerjee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois, serving as Associate Head for Graduate Programs. He is also an Affiliate at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on microbiology, genomics, and food safety, with a particular emphasis on microbial interactions in complex systems. His work spans areas such as gut microbiome analysis, pathogen behavior in food environments, and the development of rapid diagnostic tools for public health applications.

Research interests include microbial genomics, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and the application of advanced sequencing technologies to study microbial communities in clinical, environmental, and agricultural contexts. He has contributed to understanding how microplastics influence bacterial physiology and pathogenicity, as well as exploring probiotic interventions for metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Recent publications highlight advancements in metagenome-assembled genome protocols, bacterial behavior on leafy greens, and the role of Akkermansia muciniphila in liver health. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with translational applications in food safety and public health.

Banerjee collaborates on studies involving microbial diversity in cancer patients, environmental exposure assessments in agroecosystems, and improving diagnostic accuracy through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. His lab develops biosensor technologies and evaluates natural antimicrobial agents for food preservation.