Drug and nutraceutical discovery and development; application of bioinformatics for taxonomic studies, data-mining, database development for ethnobotanical and indigenous knowledge systems; genomic DNA library construction of local bioresources and gene discovery; bioremediation; industrial enzymes; biosafety and ethical implications of biotechnology; value chain analysis of biotechnological products.

Cancer surveillance among Institute constituents; dengue transmission and control; climate change and health; health-seeking behaviour and practices; mental health issues; food nutritive value fortification and safety; ethnobotany and biodiversity; maternal and child health; social dimensions of HIV/AIDS control; disaster risk reduction and management.

Governance issues in health and environmental management; Political issues and implications in energy commercialization and distribution; contextualization of science and technology for the promotion of peace among multi-cultural communities; cultural, religious and linguistic studies; conflict management.