Shillong, March 19: North‑Eastern Hill University MSc Zoology projects supervised by Prof Devendra K. Biswal have won international publication in Q1 journals, gaining global attention for digital epidemiology, vaccine design and drug discovery work from Meghalaya.
The latest study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, used social media analytics to map attention gaps for dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and kala‑azar in India.
The journal listing shows the paper online (August 2025) at the PLOS NTDs site.
“In a significant boost to higher education and research in the North-East, students of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have achieved international recognition by publishing their research in globally reputed scientific journals, including PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (PLOS NTDs).
The work, carried out under the guidance of Prof. Devendra K. Biswal, highlights the growing research capabilities of students from the region and underscores NEHU’s emergence as a centre for advanced bioinformatics and public health research,” NEHU authority said in a statement on Thursday.
It said that the latest study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases—a globally respected, Q1-ranked journal in infectious diseases and global health—uses social media analytics to reveal gaps in public attention towards major vector-borne diseases in India such as dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and kala-azar adding the findings are expected to contribute to improved public health communication and policy strategies.
Alongside this, another research article in Frontiers in Genetics explores a novel computational approach to designing a vaccine against the parasitic disease fasciolopsiasis, while a third study in In Silico Research in Biomedicine identifies a promising drug candidate for schistosomiasis using advanced molecular modelling techniques.
“What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is that all three studies stem from MSc Zoology dissertation projects, led by students including Mr. James, Mr. AiboklangNongrum, and Mr. Wanpher Khongsit. Their success reflects the rising confidence and scientific potential of tribal students from the North-East in contributing to global research,” the statement said.
“Academics note that the studies collectively span critical areas such as digital epidemiology, vaccine development, and drug discovery, demonstrating how modern computational tools and artificial intelligence are transforming biological research.
The achievement is being seen as a moment of pride for the region, placing NEHU and its students firmly on the global research map and highlighting the untapped academic potential of the North-East,” it added.
