Senior Scientist | ICAR | India
Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Meena is a Senior Scientist at ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata, India, specializing in fisheries resources management, aquaculture nutrition, and waste-to-wealth innovations. He earned his Ph.D. in Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, MFSc in Fish Nutrition, Biochemistry, and Physiology, and BFSc in Fisheries Science. Over the years, Dr. Meena has contributed extensively to fish nutrigenomics, herbal therapy, feed technology, aquatic toxicology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable aquaculture practices. His pioneering work includes valorization of non-conventional resources for eco-friendly fish feed, commercialization of “CIFRI CAGE GROW,” and development of the “RESHMEEN” feed series using silkworm pupae and black soldier fly larvae. His publications on probiotics, immunostimulants, and environmental sustainability in aquaculture are widely cited. Dr. Meena has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Young Scientist Award from the Academy of Environmental Biology, Fellowships of Environmental Biology, Fisheries and Life Sciences, Biotic and Environmental Research, and the Zoological Society of India. He has also received multiple best presentation awards at international and national forums. As an active science promoter, he has trained over 10,000 fishers, students, and officers, organized workshops, and contributed to policy documents for NITI Aayog and NFDB. Dr. Meena serves in editorial roles across numerous reputed journals such as Frontiers in Aquatic Physiology, Scientific Reports, PLOS ONE, Advances in Agriculture, and International Aquatic Research, besides guest-editing special issues in leading journals. His contributions in consultancy, environmental conservation, and aquaculture technology standardization further highlight his impactful career dedicated to sustainable fisheries and ecological innovation. He has 1838 citations from 1669 documents across 98 publications, with an h-index of 20.
Publications
1. Meena, D. K., Das, P., Kumar, S., Mandal, S. C., Prusty, A. K., Singh, S. K., Akhtar, M. S., … (2013). Beta-glucan: An ideal immunostimulant in aquaculture (a review). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry.
2. De, B. C., Meena, D. K., Behera, B. K., Das, P., Das Mohapatra, P. K., & Sharma, A. P. (2014). Probiotics in fish and shellfish culture: Immunomodulatory and ecophysiological responses. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry.
3. Kumar, V., Roy, S., Meena, D. K., & Sarkar, U. K. (2016). Application of probiotics in shrimp aquaculture: Importance, mechanisms of action, and methods of administration. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture.
4. Sarkar, U. K., Mishal, P., Borah, S., Karnatak, G., Chandra, G., Kumari, S., … (2020). Status, potential, prospects, and issues of floodplain wetland fisheries in India: Synthesis and review for sustainable management. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture.
5. Meena, M. D., Dotaniya, M. L., Meena, B. L., Rai, P. K., Antil, R. S., Meena, H. S., … (2023). Municipal solid waste: Opportunities, challenges and management policies in India: A review. Waste Management Bulletin.