Dr Ishfaq Mir |  Environmental Geochemistry |  Best Researcher Award

Senior Geologist at  Geological Survey of India,  India

Publication profile:

• • Google Scholar

Educational Qualifications:

The individual has a diverse and accomplished academic background, encompassing a range of qualifications from well-regarded institutions both nationally and internationally. Below is an outline of their educational journey:

In 2017, they completed a Certificate Course on Climate Change: Challenges & Solutions from the University of Exeter, U.K., enhancing their understanding of one of the most pressing global issues. Prior to this, they achieved a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences (Marine Geology) in 2015 from Goa University, India, under the guidance of the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. This marked a significant milestone in their expertise in marine sciences.

In 2007, they obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS from Kashmir University, India, further equipping them with essential skills in geographical data analysis. Earlier, in 2006, they qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and National Eligibility for Lectureship (NET) in Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences under the prestigious Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.

Their academic foundation is rooted in a Master of Science in Applied Geology with Distinction, completed in 2004 from Kashmir University, India, followed by a Bachelor of Science in 2002 from the same institution, majoring in English, Geology, Chemistry, and Geography. They also completed a One-year Diploma in Computer Studies in 2001 from the Informatics Computer Institute, Srinagar, India.

Their early education includes completing the 12th Standard/HSSE in 1998 with majors in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from the J&K Board of School Education, India, and the 10th Standard/SSE in 1995 from the Central Board of School Education (CBSE), India.

This robust educational background reflects their dedication to a wide array of scientific and technical subjects, positioning them as a multidisciplinary expert with specialized knowledge in marine sciences, remote sensing, and applied geology.

Employment History:

The individual’s professional career spans across various prestigious institutions, contributing to multiple domains in geology and environmental science. Below is a summary of their positions and responsibilities:

1. Geological Survey of India
   • Senior Geologist, NFU (Pay Level-12)
     January 2022 – Present
     As a Senior Geologist at the Geological Survey of India, the individual has been involved in critical fields such as geochemical mapping, environmental geochemistry, chemical weathering, decarbonisation, urbangeology, agrogeology, and landslide studies. This role, held in a permanent capacity under the central government, highlights their expertise in managing multifaceted geological challenges.
   • Senior Geologist (Pay Level-11)
     April 2016 – December 2021
     During this tenure, they expanded their focus on geochemical exploration, environmental geology, quaternary paleoclimate research, urban geology, and decarbonisation, indicating their evolving proficiency in geology-related climate studies.
   • Geologist (Pay Level-10)
     October 2011 – March 2016
     In this role, their work centered around mineral exploration, Himalayan geology, and geological and geochemical mapping, further solidifying their foundation in geosciences and exploration techniques.
2. CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India
   • Senior Research Fellow
     March 2009 – February 2011
     As a Senior Research Fellow, the individual undertook Ph.D. coursework at Goa University and contributed to geochemical and stable isotopic studies of marine sediment cores from the northern Indian Ocean. Their research focused on reconstructing the late Quaternary paleoclimate and paleoceanography, showcasing their proficiency in marine geology and climate studies.
   • Junior Research Fellow
     March 2007 – March 2009
     Early in their research career, they engaged in important foundational studies that set the stage for their later work in marine geosciences.
3. S.P. College, Srinagar, JK, India
   • Lecturer
     Academic Session, 2005
     Their role as a lecturer involved teaching geology to Bachelor of Science students. This position provided them with an opportunity to impart academic knowledge and contributed to the academic development of the next generation of geologists.

Research Interests:

The individual’s research spans several critical areas of geosciences, with a focus on understanding and addressing environmental challenges through innovative geological approaches. Their key research interests include:

• Environmental Geochemistry: Studying chemical processes in the environment to assess natural and human-induced changes.
• Enhanced Weathering: Exploring accelerated chemical weathering as a strategy for carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.
• Agrogeology: Applying geological principles to improve agricultural practices, focusing on soil health and sustainable farming.
• Geoengineering: Investigating large-scale interventions aimed at combating climate change, such as carbon capture and storage.
• Decarbonisation: Researching methods to reduce carbon emissions through geological and environmental interventions.
• Quaternary Climate Change: Understanding the climate changes that occurred during the Quaternary period and their impact on the environment.
• Urbangeology: Analyzing geological factors affecting urban environments, with an emphasis on sustainability and infrastructure resilience.
• Limnogeology: Studying the geological and geochemical processes in lake systems to understand past and present environmental changes.
• Sustainable Development: Focusing on integrating geological research into sustainable development practices to ensure environmental protection.
• Circular Economy: Investigating how geological principles can be applied to support resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the recycling of materials in line with the circular economy framework.

Citation Metrics:

• Total Citations: 209
• Citations Since 2019: 164
• h-index: 8
• h-index Since 2019: 8
• i10-index: 8
• i10-index Since 2019: 8

Publication Top Notes: