Hemlata Jambhulkar | Environmental | Best Paper Award

Mrs Hemlata Jambhulkar |  Environmental  |  Best Paper Award

Principal Technical Officer at  CSIR-NEERI,Nagpur, India

Mrs. Hemlata Padmakar Jambhulkar is a Principal Technical Officer at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, with a distinguished career in environmental engineering and over three decades of research experience. She holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Nagpur University and specializes in areas such as phytoremediation, soil remediation, wastewater management, and carbon sequestration. She is a life member of various scientific societies, including the Indian Women Scientist Association. Mrs. Jambhulkar has received several accolades, including the Dubai International Award for her contributions to ecological restoration and the Best Paper Award at the Women in Science meeting in 2007. Her work is instrumental in advancing sustainable environmental practices in India.

 

Publication Profile

Educational Qualifications:

  • M.Sc. in Chemistry (Physical, Environmental, Organic, Inorganic, Analytical), Nagpur University, 1989
  • B.Sc. in Microbiology, Botany, and Chemistry, Nagpur University, 1987

Research Experience:

Mrs. Jambhulkar has over three decades of experience in environmental research, particularly focusing on:

  • Phytoremediation of mining wastelands and degraded lands
  • Remediation of metal-contaminated soils
  • Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants on fly ash dumps
  • Management of wastewater through eco-friendly constructed wetlands
  • Carbon sequestration through afforestation
  • Wastewater recycling for agricultural and forestry applications

Memberships:

She is a life member of multiple professional bodies, including the Researchers Society of Chemical Sciences, Indian Network for Soil Contamination and Research (INSCR), Indian Water Resources Society, Indian Women Scientist Association, and Vigyan Bharati Vidarbha Pradesh Mandal.

Awards and Honors:

  • Dubai International Award (2007): Recognized for contributing to the project “Ecological restoration of degraded lands through biotechnological approaches.”
  • Best Paper Award (2007): For her work on “Assessment of bioaccumulation potential of heavy metals on fly ash dump” at the All India meeting of ‘Women in Science’ organized by the Indian Women Scientist Association.

Citations :

  • Total Citations: 385 (from 352 documents)
  • Publications: 6 documents
  • h-index: 5

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Eco-restoration approach for mine spoil overburden dump through biotechnological route”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Kumar, M.S.
    Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2019, 191(12), 772
    Citations: 22
  2. “Fly ash toxicity, emerging issues and possible implications for its exploitation in agriculture; Indian scenario: A review”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Shaikh, S.M.S., Kumar, M.S.
    Journal: Chemosphere, 2018, 213, pp. 333–344
    Citations: 115
  3. “Natural vs. reclaimed forests – a case study of successional change, reclamation technique and phytodiversity”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Singh, L., Singh, S.K., Thawale, P.R., Kanfade, H.
    Journal: International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2015, 29(6), pp. 476–498
    Citations: 5
  4. “Assessment of bioaccumulation of heavy metals by different plant species grown on fly ash dump”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Juwarkar, A.A.
    Journal: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2009, 72(4), pp. 1122–1128
    Citations: 67
  5. “Phytoremediation of coal mine spoil dump through integrated biotechnological approach”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Jambhulkar, H.P.
    Journal: Bioresource Technology, 2008, 99(11), pp. 4732–4741
    Citations: 97
  6. “Restoration of fly ash dump through biological interventions”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Jambhulkar, H.P.
    Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2008, 139(1-3), pp. 355–365
    Citations: 79

 

 

Prathiviraj Ragothaman | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Dr Prathiviraj Ragothaman | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate-II at  Pondicherry University,  India

Dr. R. Prathiviraj is a bioinformatics expert with extensive experience in metagenomics, systems biology, protein engineering, and structural bioinformatics. With a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from Bharathidasan University, he has contributed significantly to genomic and metagenomic research, including developing computational models and databases. His research experience spans over 11 years, with 5 years post-Ph.D. and over 56 research publications.

 

Publication Profile

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Bioinformatics – Bharathidasan University, 2019
  • M.Phil. in Bioinformatics – Bharathidasan University, 2013
  • M.Sc. in Bioinformatics – Bharathidasan University, 2011

🏆 Achievements:

  • Publications: 56 research papers, 6 book chapters, 1 conference proceeding
  • H-index: 14 | i10-index: 25 | Total Citations: 510
  • Projects: Led a DST-SERB-funded project on thermophilic CO₂ bioconversion (₹2.1 million)
  • Database Development: Developed CPSIR-CM DB, in silico organisms iPR654 and iCS758
  • Awards:
    • India Prime Icon-Young Researcher Award (2021)
    • InSc-Research Excellence Award (2020)
    • Best Young Researcher Award by GRABS Educational Trust (2019)

💻 Skills & Technical Expertise:

  • Programming: C, C++, Java, R (Basic), Perl, HTML, Visual Basic
  • Operating Systems: Windows XP/2000, Linux
  • Bioinformatics Tools: RasMol, Swiss PDB, PyMol, Autodock, Simpheny™, MEGA, BioEdit, and more
  • Commercial Software for Drug Discovery: Schrödinger™, Discovery Studio™

🔬 Research Interests:

  • Metagenomics & NGS
  • Systems Biology & Genome-Scale Reconstruction
  • Molecular Modeling & Protein Engineering
  • Structural Bioinformatics & Drug Design

🌐 Professional Memberships:

  • Board Member & Research Advisory, Xcellogen Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Life Member, Institute of Scholars (InSc)
  • Advisory Member, Biodiversity Team, Bharathidasan University

Publication Top Notes

  • Methanobacterium Formicicum as a Target Rumen Methanogen for the Development of New Methane Mitigation Interventions: A Review
    • P. Chellapandi, M. Bharathi, C. Sangavai, R. Prathiviraj, Veterinary and Animal Science, 36, 2018
  • A Gelatinized Lipopeptide Diet Effectively Modulates Immune Response, Disease Resistance and Gut Microbiome in Penaeus vannamei Challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus
    • R. Prathiviraj, R. Rajeev, H. Fernandes, K. Rathna, A.N. Lipton, J. Selvin, Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 112, 92-107, 2021
  • HRLC-ESI-MS-Based Identification of Active Small Molecules from Cissus quadrangularis and Likelihood of Their Action Towards the Primary Targets of Osteoarthritis
    • L.D. Kumar, R. Prathiviraj, M. Selvakumar, R. Guna, E. Abbirami, T. Sivasudha, Journal of Molecular Structure, 1199, 127048, 2020
  • Zoonotic Evolution and Implications of Microbiome in Viral Transmission and Infection
    • R. Rajeev, R. Prathiviraj, G.S. Kiran, J. Selvin, Virus Research, 290, 198175, 2020
  • Analysis of Modularity in Proteome-Wide Protein Interaction Networks of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus Strain ΔH and Metal-Loving Bacteria
    • R. Prathiviraj, B. Sheela, P. Chellapandi, Journal of Proteins and Proteomics, 1-12, 2019
  • Phylogenomic Proximity and Comparative Proteomic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2
    • R. Prathiviraj, G.S. Kiran, J. Selvin, Gene Reports, 20, 100777, 2020
  • Structure–Function Discrepancy in Clostridium botulinum C3 Toxin for Its Rational Prioritization as a Subunit Vaccine
    • R. Prathiviraj, A. Prisilla, P. Chellapandi, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 34 (6), 1317-1329, 2016
  • Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. Leaves Alleviate Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats via Modulating the Finest Disease Targets – IL2RA, IL18 and VEGFA
    • L. Dinesh Kumar, M. Selvakumar, R. Sasikala, R. Guna, E. Abbirami, R. Prathiviraj, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 40 (18), 8155-8168, 2022
  • Gut Microbiome Responses in the Metabolism of Human Dietary Components: Implications in Health and Homeostasis
    • R. Rajeev, P.S. Seethalakshmi, P.K. Jena, R. Prathiviraj, G.S. Kiran, J. Selvin, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 62 (27), 7615-7631, 2022
  • Modeling a Global Regulatory Network of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus Strain ∆H
    • R. Prathiviraj, P. Chellapandi, Network Modeling Analysis in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, 9 (1), 17, 2020
  • Potential Probiotic Properties and Molecular Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fermented Millet Porridge or Ragi Koozh and Jalebi Batter
    • M. Manovina, B. Thamarai Selvi, R. Prathiviraj, J. Selvin, Animal Gene, 26, 200134, 2022
  • A Novel Anti-Infective Molecule Nesfactin Identified from Sponge-Associated Bacteria Nesterenkonia sp. MSA31 Against Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
    • G.S. Kiran, A. Sajayan, G. Priyadharshini, A. Balakrishnan, R. Prathiviraj, Microbial Pathogenesis, 157, 104923, 2021
  • A Hijack Mechanism of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Isolates for Relapsing Contemporary Antiviral Therapeutics
    • R. Prathiviraj, S. Saranya, M. Bharathi, P. Chellapandi, Computers in Biology and Medicine, 132, 104315, 2021
  • Structural Constraints-Based Evaluation of Immunogenic Avirulent Toxins from Clostridium botulinum C2 and C3 Toxins as Subunit Vaccines
    • A. Prisilla, R. Prathiviraj, R. Sasikala, P. Chellapandi, Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 44, 17-27, 2016
  • Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis of Astragalus propinquus Components for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diabetes
    • T.R. Sivakumar, D. Surendhirana, K. Chen, P. Lv, A. Vinothkanna, R. Prathiviraj, South African Journal of Botany, 139, 92-105, 2021
  • Molecular Evolutionary Constraints that Determine the Avirulence State of Clostridium botulinum C2 Toxin
    • A. Prisilla, R. Prathiviraj, P. Chellapandi, Journal of Molecular Evolution, 84, 174-186, 2017
  • Fermentation Microbiome and Metabolic Profiles of Indian Palm Wine
    • R. Prathiviraj, R. Rajeev, C.M. Jose, A. Begum, J. Selvin, G.S. Kiran, Gene Reports, 27, 101543, 2022
  • Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Starvation Survival Systems in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus ΔH
    • R. Prathiviraj, P. Chellapandi, Anaerobe, 64, 102216, 2020
  • Functional Annotation of Operome from Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus ΔH: An Insight to Metabolic Gap Filling
    • R. Prathiviraj, P. Chellapandi, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 123, 350-362, 2019
  • A Comprehensive Review on Methane’s Dual Role: Effects in Climate Change and Potential as a Carbon-Neutral Energy Source
    • M. Sobanaa, R. Prathiviraj, J. Selvin, M. Prathaban, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-16, 2024

 

Lyndon Sackey | Environmental Protection | Best Researcher Award

Dr Lyndon Sackey |  Environmental Protection |  Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science ,  Ghana

 

Lyndon Nii Adjiri Sackey is a dedicated Environmental Scientist with a strong commitment to ethical and professional standards. Combining expertise in laboratory technology and environmental management, he integrates practical experience with rigorous academic research.

Profile:

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry and Technology (Ecotoxicology), University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (2017-2020)
  • MSc. in Public Administration (Regional Development and Governance), University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic (2015-2017)
  • MSc. in Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana (2010-2013)
  • BSc. (Hons) in Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, Ghana (2003-2007)

Professional Experience:

  • Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Accra, Ghana (July 2021-Present)
    • Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students
    • Research on waste management, ecotoxicology, water quality assessment, risk management, and bioremediation
    • Community service
  • PhD Student and Research Assistant, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (Feb 2017-Dec 2020)
    • Assisted in teaching and research on ecotoxicology, focusing on wood leachates and constructional waste
    • Managed the ecotoxicity laboratory and prepared project proposals
  • Guest PhD Student, Vrije University, Amsterdam, Netherlands (June-Sep 2018)
    • Studied the toxicity of microplastics on soil invertebrates
  • Assistant Operations Manager, Waste Landfills Company Ltd, Accra, Ghana (Mar 2015-Nov 2015)
    • Managed operations and prepared tender documents
  • Landfill Supervisor, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, Accra, Ghana (Nov 2008-Feb 2015)
    • Monitored landfill operations and leachate quality
  • Laboratory Analyst, Ghana Water Company Ltd and Kinapharma Ghana Ltd (2004-2003)
    • Conducted water and drug analyses and managed laboratory operations

Research Experience:

  • 2023-Present: Feasibility study and value chain assessment of recyclables in the solid waste stream in Ashanti Region
  • 2022: Quality assessment of sewage sludge and the use of plant powders on maize weevil
  • 2020: Ecotoxicological impact of wood leachates
  • Ph.D. Research: Ecotoxicological impact of wood leachates on aquatic environments

Research Focus:

Lyndon Nii Adjiri Sackey, Ph.D., focuses on several critical areas within environmental protection, including:

  1. Ecotoxicology: Dr. Sackey’s research investigates the toxic effects of environmental pollutants, such as wood leachates and microplastics, on aquatic and soil organisms. His work aims to understand how these contaminants impact ecosystems and to develop strategies for mitigating their effects.
  2. Waste Management: He explores various aspects of waste management, including the assessment of waste quality, recycling processes, and the environmental impact of waste materials. His studies involve evaluating the effectiveness of waste treatment methods and improving waste management practices.
  3. Water Quality Assessment: Dr. Sackey assesses the quality of water in different environments, such as wastewater treatment plants and natural water bodies. His research focuses on identifying contaminants and evaluating their effects on water ecosystems.
  4. Bioremediation: He investigates the use of biological processes to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment. This includes studying the potential of plant powders and other natural agents to control pests and improve soil health.
  5. Risk Assessment and Management: Dr. Sackey assesses environmental risks associated with various pollutants and waste products. His work aims to develop strategies for managing and mitigating these risks to protect human health and the environment.

Dr. Sackey’s research contributes to advancing knowledge in environmental protection and developing effective solutions for managing environmental challenges.

 

Citations:

  • Total Citations: 247
  • Citations Since 2019: 241
  • h-index: 7
  • h-index Since 2019: 7
  • i10-index: 7
  • i10-index Since 2019: 6

Publication Top Notes:

  • “Exploring the impacts of microplastics and associated chemicals in the terrestrial environment–Exposure of soil invertebrates to tire particles”
    • Authors: S. Selonen, A. Dolar, A.J. Kokalj, L.N.A. Sackey, T. Skalar, V.C. Fernandes, et al.
    • Journal: Environmental Research
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 58
    • Summary: This study investigates the effects of microplastics and tire particles on soil invertebrates, highlighting the broader implications of microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems.
  • “Ecotoxicological effects on Lemna minor and Daphnia magna of leachates from differently aged landfills of Ghana”
    • Authors: L.N.A. Sackey, V. Kočí, C.A.M. van Gestel
    • Journal: Science of the Total Environment
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 50
    • Summary: This research evaluates the ecotoxicological impacts of leachates from landfills of various ages on aquatic plants and organisms, providing insights into the long-term effects of landfill leachates on the environment.
  • “A review of the principles of composting: understanding the processes, methods, merits, and demerits”
    • Authors: E.E.Y. Amuah, B. Fei-Baffoe, L.N.A. Sackey, N.B. Douti, R.W. Kazapoe
    • Journal: Organic Agriculture
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 27
    • Summary: This review article explores composting principles, including processes, methods, advantages, and disadvantages, contributing to a better understanding of composting as a waste management technique.
  • “Environmental impact of concrete and concrete-based construction waste leachates”
    • Authors: K.A. Mocová, L.N.A. Sackey, P. Renkerová
    • Journal: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 23
    • Summary: This paper assesses the environmental impacts of leachates from concrete and construction waste, focusing on their effects on the environment.
  • “Assessment of the quality of leachate at Sarbah landfill site at Weija in Accra”
    • Authors: L.N.A. Sackey, K. Meizah
    • Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 18
    • Summary: The study examines the quality of leachate from a specific landfill site, providing data on the contamination levels and potential environmental risks.
  • “Multivariate studies and heavy metal pollution in soil from gold mining area”
    • Authors: O. Akoto, S. Yakubu, L.A. Ofori, N. Bortey-Sam, N.O. Boadi, J. Horgah, et al.
    • Journal: Heliyon
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 14
    • Summary: This research uses multivariate analysis to study heavy metal pollution in soil from gold mining areas, contributing to the understanding of mining’s environmental impact.
  • “Risk assessment of heavy metals concentration in cereals and legumes sold in the Tamale Aboabo market, Ghana”
    • Authors: A.A. Adam, L.N.A. Sackey, L.A. Ofori
    • Journal: Heliyon
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 10
    • Summary: This study assesses the concentration of heavy metals in food sold in a Ghanaian market, evaluating potential health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in agricultural products.