I am pleased to recommend Badal Mahakalkar for his exceptional skills and dedication as a PhD student. Badal has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in advanced techniques such as genome editing of tomatoes, nanoparticle synthesis, and untargeted metabolomics. His ability to apply these diverse methodologies showcases his innovative mindset and commitment to scientific advancement. Badal's educational journey—from a Bachelor's in Vocational Studies to an MSc in Biochemistry, and now pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology—has equipped him with a robust interdisciplinary foundation. This diverse background has not only enhanced his technical expertise but also allowed him to approach problems from multiple perspectives, fostering creativity and originality in his research. His work ethic is commendable; he consistently goes above and beyond in his experiments and analyses, showing resilience and dedication to his projects. I have no doubt that Badal will continue to make significant contributions to the field of biotechnology and excel in any endeavor he chooses to pursue. I wholeheartedly recommend him for any opportunity that aligns with his goals.

Badal is an excellent, talented researcher and a very humble person. It is a great pleasure to work with him. Best personality