Jagannath is an environmental scientist. His primary research focuses on understanding biogeochemical processes occurring in waters, soils, and at soil-water interfaces, which significantly impact water quality and agriculture. He is also interested in science policy and communication. 

Before joining the school, Jagannath worked at Eawag- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology in Switzerland. He received his doctoral degree in environmental sciences at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He obtained a Master of Science in environmental sciences from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and a Bachelor of Technology in industrial biotechnology from Bharath University, Chennai, India.

Jagannath's research interests lie in environmental biogeochemistry, water quality and treatment, and at the intersection of science and policy. He combines experiments conducted in a laboratory by applying isotopes, spectroscopy, and analytical methods, with computational programs to understand the relevance of molecular scale processes in the broader context of biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and contaminants in waters and solid-water interfaces.

Jagannath is also working on a better understanding of science policy that contributes to the implications of environmental legislation/regulations. He is passionate about applying science communication tools to describe the complexities of the impact of climate change on water resources.