Shillong, March, 19: In a major boost to higher education and scientific research in the North-East, students of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have earned international recognition by publishing their research in leading global journals, including PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The research, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Devendra K. Biswal, highlights the growing capabilities of students from the region and reinforces NEHU’s emergence as a centre for advanced bioinformatics and public health research.
One of the key studies, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases—a highly reputed Q1-ranked journal in infectious diseases and global health—uses social media analytics to identify gaps in public attention towards major vector-borne diseases in India, including dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and kala-azar. The findings are expected to aid in strengthening public health communication and policy strategies.
In addition, another research article published in Frontiers in Genetics presents a novel computational approach for designing a vaccine against fasciolopsiasis, a parasitic disease. A third study featured in In Silico Research in Biomedicine identifies a potential drug candidate for schistosomiasis using advanced molecular modelling techniques.
Notably, all three studies originated from MSc Zoology dissertation projects led by students Mr. James, Mr. Aiboklang Nongrum, and Mr. Wanpher Khongsit. Their achievements underscore the rising scientific potential and confidence of students from the North-East in contributing to global research.
Academics have observed that the studies span critical domains such as digital epidemiology, vaccine development, and drug discovery, reflecting how modern computational tools and artificial intelligence are reshaping biological sciences.
The accomplishment is being hailed as a proud moment for the region, placing NEHU and its students firmly on the global research map while highlighting the immense and untapped academic potential of the North-East.
