Pune: DY Patil International University Hosts National Conference on AI in Biomanufacturing and Sustainable Food Production
Pimpri Chinchwad, 4th April 2026: The School of Biosciences and Bioengineering has successfully organized a DBT-sponsored National Conference on “AI & Model-Driven Strategies for Smart Biomanufacturing and Sustainable Food Production” held at Shantai Auditorium, D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune, on 2nd & 3rd April, 2026.
The participants had fruitful discussions and exciting talks from industry and academic experts, experienced industry professionals, students, and participants from Pune and all over Maharashtra during the event to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming biomanufacturing and sustainable food production.
Dr. Prashant K. Dhakephalkar, Director of Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, highlighted the concept of “waste to wealth,” emphasizing the importance of converting industrial by-products into valuable resources through smart biomanufacturing. This was followed by Dr. Sandeep Shiromani, Associate Director Center of Excellence in Fermentation Biocon, Bangalore, India, who elaborated on the application of AI in pharmaceuticals, particularly in improving efficiency and reducing production timelines. The discussions continued with Dr. Krishnakumar S, Assistant General Manager at Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Pune, who spoke about AI-enabled decision-making in biologics manufacturing, and Dr. Aditi Joglekar, Managing Director, AVCHIT Biosolutions, Pune, who emphasized the role of intelligent automation in accelerating development and production processes. The day also featured paper and poster presentations, providing a platform for young researchers to present their work.
On the next day, the session was inaugurated by NIV, Pune director Dr. Naveen Kumar, followed by Mr. Ravin Kumar, Co-Founder of Bettrlabs, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He discussed how AI can significantly shorten research and development cycles, making product innovation faster and more cost-effective. This was followed by Dr. Anuradha Chitnis, Head R & D Proeon, Pune who addressed the growing demand for plant-based proteins and the need for sustainable food processing systems that balance quality, cost, and environmental impact. The conference concluded with a session by Dr. Ram Kulkarni, Deputy Director and Professor Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Lavale, Pune who explored genomic strategies in lactic acid bacteria and their applications in food sustainability. The event also included technical and non-technical activities like a quiz competition and a Pictionary contest, encouraging active student participation.
The conference concluded with a valedictory session; a prize distribution followed by vote of Thanks. Dr. Ramendra Pandey, Director of the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, along with the Conference Convenor, Dr. Babuskin Srinivasan, and Co-Convenors Dr. Sonal Mahajan and Mr. Siddhardh Singh, expressed their sincere gratitude to the esteemed Management and the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Manish Bhalla, as well as the Registrar of the University, for their continuous encouragement and support. They also extended their heartfelt appreciation to all the teaching and non-teaching staff for their dedicated efforts and cooperation, which played a crucial role in making the conference a grand success. Finally marking the successful culmination of this insightful event. It posed as a valuable opportunity for the students and participants to gain insights into the integration of AI in technologies and their real-world applications. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of addressing future challenges in biomanufacturing and food production, such as sustainability, efficiency, and the need for innovative solutions to meet growing global demands.
