Prior to FAS, Nishal was a graduate student at Princeton University where he received his Ph.D. in molecular biology. He is also a graduate of Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY).

Nishal wears the additional hat of director of the Biosecurity Program (previously the Biosecurity Project) at FAS with a focus on biological weapons control, training and preparedness for WMD attacks, and the responsible use of science and technology.

Nishal is especially interested in the applications of current and future technologies for practical solutions in the security policy and public health preparedness fields.