Kean Faculty and Student Q&A: Maria Shumskaya, Ph.D., and Madhumitha Sadhasivan Gayathri

At Kean University, Dr. Maria Shumskaya leads research on the biodiversity and metabolism of wood-inhabiting fungi, with a particular interest in discovering insecticides among fungal metabolites. Working alongside her is Madhumitha Sadhasivan Gayathri, a Biology major with an emphasis on Cellular and Molecular Biology, whose research contributions enhance the lab’s understanding of fungal communities and their broader environmental impact. 

Their work reflects Kean’s commitment to hands-on research, student mentorship and scientific discovery. Together, they shared insights about their ongoing project. 

What is innovative about your research? 

The project pushes into an understudied area by examining wood-inhabiting fungi and the metabolic interactions they form with host trees, relationships that may eventually point to naturally occurring insecticidal compounds. Dr. Shumskaya’s broader focus is complemented by Gayathri’s work integrating molecular analyses of dead wood fungi with ecological modeling, a combination that clarifies how these fungi contribute to wood decomposition and carbon cycling. Together, these approaches create a more precise, data-driven picture of fungal biodiversity and their role in forest biomes. 

What are the big issues in your research area? 

One of the most pressing challenges in agriculture is the continued reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides, which threaten the ecosystem and human health. This research addresses the issue by investigating fungal metabolites as potential biological insecticides, while also studying the host trees to better understand their underlying biosynthetic processes. That larger question also carries into the molecular side of the project, where Gayathri’s efforts to better characterize fungal diversity help inform how these organisms shape, and could improve environmental and agricultural systems. 

What is the most important question you want to address? 

Dr. Shumskaya focuses her work on determining whether the metabolic interactions between polyporous fungi and host trees can lead to the discovery of new, environmentally safe insecticides. This aligns closely with Gayathri’s contributions, as her work refining species identification and improving access to biodiversity data supports the lab’s broader search for ecologically responsible alternatives. 

What has been the impact of your research? 

The research has deepened understanding of wood-inhabiting fungi, their metabolites and their potential insecticidal properties, while also opening the door for high school and undergraduate students to gain hands-on research experience. The project’s emphasis on openness and accessibility also resonates in Gayathri’s work; by publishing datasets, peer review papers and refining molecular methods, she notes that the team has attracted interest from researchers at R1 institutions, strengthening transparency and encouraging broader collaboration. Gayathri hopes the work will continue to illuminate how fungi support nutrient cycling and forest sustainability while advancing open, reproducible science that benefits students, educators and researchers. 

How does your research connect with and serve the community, including urban audiences? 

Dr. Shumskaya explains that her lab has already begun community-focused outreach through a partnership with the Biomedicine Sciences Academy, a New Jersey high school. Students from the Academy will begin conducting research in her lab in Spring 2026. She notes that the team’s long-term discoveries may also support safer, biologically based pest-management practices that are well-suited for small-scale and community-driven agriculture, including in urban environments where sustainable approaches are especially valuable.  

Gayathri emphasizes that publishing the lab’s fungal biodiversity data openly makes the work more accessible to educators, local researchers and policymakers. She adds that sharing data in this way helps strengthen environmental awareness, forest and park management efforts and community science initiatives by highlighting how microbial activity in decaying wood contributes to ecosystem health and sustainability. 

What opportunities for multi-disciplinary work does your research offer? 

Dr. Shumskaya’s lab collaborates closely with Dr. Supratik Kar in Chemistry and Physics, who conducts computational modeling to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of potential insecticides. She also sees opportunities to connect with Environmental Sciences and the College of Education to develop interdisciplinary curricula and outreach initiatives. These collaborations complement Gayathri’s experience integrating molecular techniques with ecological modeling, a combination that naturally positions the project at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines. 

What advice would you give to a new researcher about working with students on research? 

Dr. Shumskaya emphasizes responsibility and genuine curiosity as two of the most important qualities to look for in student researchers. She encourages involving students in meaningful tasks early, which builds confidence and a sense of ownership, and exposing them to experiences outside the classroom, such as conferences and fieldwork, to broaden their understanding of the research landscape. That mentorship approach has shaped Gayathri’s development in the lab, as she shares that being trusted with significant responsibilities early on helped her grow as a researcher and strengthened her confidence.