Smitha Thomas | Agricultural Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Smitha Thomas | Agricultural Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at St.Teresas College, Ernakulam,  India

Ms. Smitha Thomas is a dedicated research scholar specializing in Agricultural Microbiology at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. Her research focuses on the role of beneficial microbes in enhancing soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity. With a strong academic background and passion for microbial interactions in agroecosystems, she aims to contribute to environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. (Ongoing) in Botany – Agricultural Microbes, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala (Coursework Grade: A – 79.3%)

  • M.Phil. in Botany, St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam – M.G. University (Grade: A – 84.4%)

  • M.Sc. in Botany, M.G. University, Kerala – 66.14%

  • B.Ed. in Natural Science, M.G. University, Kerala – 67%

  • B.Sc. in Botany, M.G. University, Kerala – 75%

🧪 Research Focus:

  • Application of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Olericulture

  • Biological Control, Molecular Genetics, Plant Tissue Culture, and Medical Drug Designing

🏆 Academic Recognition & Awards:

  • SET Qualified, 2004

  • DCE Aspire Fellowship for Ph.D. (2022–2023), Govt. of Kerala

  • Outstanding Researcher Award, 1st International Agriculture Conference on Natural vs Organic Farming, Gujarat (Dec 2023)

  • Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing – Journal of Scientific Research and Reports (2024)

🎤 Oral Presentations:

  • PGPR research presentations at:

    • 7th Asian PGPR Conference, Telangana (2022)

    • 36th Kerala Science Congress, Kasaragod (2024)

    • RICERCA 2021 National Conference, Alappuzha

    • National Seminar on Miracle Millets, Ernakulam (2023)

🌱 Professional Experience:

  • Over 10 years of teaching experience (2004–2024) as Lecturer in Botany

🌍 Conferences & Training (2020–2024):

  • Attended and presented in 11 Conferences, 4 Oral Presentations, 47 Webinars/Seminars, and 4 Certified Courses

  • Topics include Biotechnology, Natural Farming, Thesis Writing, Molecular Docking, and AI Tools in Research

  • Notable Participation:

    • International Conference on Decarbonizing Agriculture (2023)

    • National Conference on Ethnic Vegetables, Dr. YSRHU (2023)

🧬 Certifications & Courses:

  • Research and Publication Ethics – St. Thomas College & Calicut University

  • Advanced Molecular Docking – SAFI Institute of Advanced Studies

  • AI Tools in Academia – Assumption College, Kerala

  • International Internship on Bioanalytical Techniques – Sacred Heart College & BSN

📝 Peer Reviewer For:

  • Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research

  • Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

  • Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Publication Top Notes:

  • Molecular Identification of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Their Antiphytopathogenic Compounds by LC-MS TOF Analysis
    Preprint published on March 26, 2025
    DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6083519/v1
    Contributors: Smitha Thomas, Lizzy Mathew

  • Isolation and Molecular Identification of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, Bacillus licheniformis UBPSB-07 Capable of Enhancing Seed Germination in Vigna radiata L.
    Published in: Phytomorphology (Journal Article)
    Author: Smitha Thomas

 

Yogita Patil | Agricultural Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms.Yogita Patil | Agricultural Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Research Student at H. V. Desai College Pune, Maharashtra, India

Ms. Yogita M. Patil is an experienced academician and researcher in the field of Microbiology with over 14 years of teaching and research experience. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor at P.D.E.A’s Waghire College, Saswad, Pune, and serves as a Senior Research Fellow under SARTHI-CSMNRF since 2022.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. (Pursuing) – Savitribai Phule Pune University
    Research Topic: Techno-economic feasibility assessment of novel health-promoting probiotics from natural sources

  • M.Phil. in Microbiology – North Maharashtra University (Grade A)
    Dissertation: An Insight in the Methods to Establish Culture as Probiotic

  • M.Sc. & B.Sc. in Microbiology – North Maharashtra University

  • Qualified SET & ICAR-NET (Microbiology)

🧪 Research & Publications:

Ms. Patil has contributed to applied microbiological research, particularly in:

  • Probiotics & Gut Health

  • Soil Microbiology

  • Environmental Microbiology

📄 Notable Publications:

  • Improving the Gut Microbiota with Probiotics and FMT – J. Pure & Applied Microbiology (2021)

  • Soil Beneficial Bacteria Studies in Saswad & Ketkawale Regions (2017)

👩‍🏫 Professional Experience:

  • 🌟 14+ years of teaching and research experience

  • Assistant Professor (Microbiology) at P.D.E.A.’s Waghire College, Saswad – 8 years

  • Former lecturer at MJ College Jalgaon and Dnyansarita Institute

  • Currently a Senior Research Fellow (SARTHI CSMNRF) since 2022

🏆 Awards & Recognitions:

  • 🥈 Multiple Second Prizes in National & International Poster Competitions (2006–2022)

  • 🥉 Third Prize – International Conference on Microbiology & Environmental Sciences (2021)

  • 🎯 Participant – Avishkar University Research Competition, SPPU Pune (2022)

💻 Skills:

  • Proficient in microbiology lab techniques and basic computer applications (MS-CIT certified)

  • Multilingual: Fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi

Publication:

  • Improving the Gut Microbiota with Probiotics and Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
    Yogita M. Patil, Rajashree B. Patwardhan, Pragati S. Abhyankar
    Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp.