ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Indian-origin scientist Arinjay Banerjee wins USask New Researcher award
Banerjee completed a master's degree at the National Institute of Virology in India.
-
Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 02, Jun 2026
- 02:49 EDT
- 24
Arinjay Banerjee / University of Saskatchewan
Indian-origin scientist Dr. Arinjay Banerjee has been named the recipient of the University of Saskatchewan's 2026 New Researcher award, recognizing his contributions to virology research and his work on emerging viruses originating in bats.
Banerjee, a faculty member at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and a researcher at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), said the recognition came as an unexpected surprise.
“It was quite a surprise. I don’t remember being nominated and it was not something I was expecting,” Banerjee said. “It’s really because of my trainees. I have exceptionally driven trainees in my lab, and it makes my job easy. I’m having a lot of fun doing science and learning alongside trainees.”
In a nomination letter, VIDO Director and CEO Dr. Volker Gerdts praised Banerjee's accomplishments as an early-career scientist.
“Dr. Banerjee is the most successful young scientist I have ever met in my career … (He) has already made great strides toward improving the health of Canadians and beyond through his innovative research,” Gerdts wrote.
Banerjee completed a master's degree at the National Institute of Virology in India. In 2013, while attending a summer program through ZIBI at Humboldt University in Germany, he met a University of Saskatchewan delegation that included Dr. Vikram Misra of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
After hearing Misra speak about an Ebola virus outbreak, Banerjee expressed interest in studying viruses in bats. Although Misra did not have an established bat virology program at the time, he persuaded Banerjee to join him at USask and help build one.
Banerjee later earned a PhD from USask. His doctoral thesis on coronavirus-host interactions received the Governor General’s Gold Medal. He is now the university’s Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Zoonotic Virus and Animal Reservoirs and is recognized for his work on emerging viruses.
According to USask, Banerjee has authored 80 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than 15 grants as principal investigator. He has also delivered more than 100 invited presentations and guest lectures internationally. His honors include the Canadian Society for Virology Early Career Award and the American Society for Virology Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award.
Banerjee leads a research laboratory at VIDO and has supervised postdoctoral fellows, doctoral and master’s students, undergraduate researchers and technical staff.
His research program examines how viruses interact with animal hosts, how viruses that cross from animals to humans behave in the human immune system, and the development of antiviral therapies and vaccines. His team also contributed to work that helped secure $24 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to develop broadly protective coronavirus vaccine candidates.
“I have been fortunate to work with some amazing collaborators across the planet,” Banerjee said. “It’s rewarding to learn from these individuals. My mentors opened a lot of doors for me, and I want to open even more doors for my trainees.”
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login