PROF. FELIX BAST, PhD, FLS
Professor | Expedition Scientist | Science Communicator
Email: felix.bast@gmail.com | Phone: +91 9872152694 Institution: Department of Botany, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, 151401, Punjab
THE MISSION
A field biologist and science communicator deconstructing the systems of life, from the desiccation tolerance of Antarctic flora to the biological imperatives of the "Human OS." As an alumnus of the Japanese Government MEXT fellowship and a former expedition scientist in the Indian Antarctic Mission, my laboratory is a fortress of evidence-backed inquiry. I am committed to advancing scientific diplomacy, cultivating critical thinking, and advocating for a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle, including pledging posthumous whole-body donation through NOTTO.
THE SCOUT: APEX DISCOVERIES
Applying first principles to global biogeography, resulting in the discovery of seven novel species from the Indian coast to the Antarctic tundra.
Antarctic Tundra: Bryum bharatiense (Moss)
Marine Algae (India): Ulva paschima, Cladophora goensis, Ulva uniseriata, Hypnea indica, Hypnea bullata, Acetabularia jalakanyakae
First Hemispheric Record: Identified marine bacterium Planomicrobium okeanokoites in the Southern Hemisphere.
Phenomenon Deconstruction: Discovered that spores of the subaerial green alga Trentepohlia annulata caused the "blood rain" phenomenon in Kerala.
THE SCIENTIST: ACADEMIC LINEAGE & TENURE
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda | Professor of Botany MAY 2010 – PRESENT
Member of the Executive Council and Academic Council.
Directing academic research in Taxonomy, Phylogenetics, and Molecular Phylogeography.
Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung, Bremen, Germany | NAM-ZMT Guest Scientist NOV 2018 – FEB 2019
Sabbatical research on DNA barcoding and marine experimental ecology.
Indian Antarctic Mission, Bharati & Maitri Stations | Expedition Scientist DEC 2016 – APR 2017
Sabbatical research focusing on Antarctic flora ecology.
Global Fellowships & Training
Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK: Summer Fellow, Algal Taxonomy (2013).
Friday Harbor Lab, University of Washington, US: Summer Fellow, Marine Botany (2007).
IIT Bombay: CSIR JRF focusing on Algae-based desalination (2003–2005).
DIPLOMACY & GLOBAL REACH
UPSC: Appointed Advisor (2024).
United Nations: Reference Group Member, UN-SDG-7 2026 goal profile.
International Science Council, Paris: Member of the high-profile advisory committee (2021).
Linnean Society of London: Elected Fellow (2022).
IUCN, Geneva: Member (2022).
AAAS-TWAS: Science Diplomat Alumni (2020).
GRANTS & RESEARCH SUPERVISION
Funding Ecosystem (Principal Investigator)
Secured 17 major research projects (DST-INSPIRE, SERB, MoES, CSIR, UGC) totaling over INR 1.54 Crores.
Acquired 9 teaching/training grants (UGC-MHRD SWAYAM, Science Academies) totaling INR 61.6 Lakhs.
Intellectual Offspring (Research Supervision)
PhD: 9 Awarded, 9 Undergoing.
Post-Doctoral: 1 Completed.
M.Phil / M.Sc.: 15 M.Phil Awarded, 38 M.Sc. Awarded.
CANONICAL SYNTHESIS: IMPACT & PUBLICATIONS
Total Peer-Reviewed Publications: 135.
Click here to view the full dynamic publication record
Authored Books: 7.
Intellectual Property: Indian Provisional Patent No. 202211011272.
Selected Syntheses
Bast, F., et al. (2014). Strong endemism of bloom-forming tubular Ulva in Indian west coast, with description of Ulva paschima Sp. Nov. PLoS ONE 9(10).
Kundu, P., & Bast, F. (2021). Molecular data reveals two new species of Hypnea from India. Botanica Marina 64(2).
Bast, F., Kubota, S. & Okuda, K. (2014). Phylogeographic Assessment of Panmictic Monostroma Species from Kuroshio Coast, Japan Reveals Sympatric Speciation. Journal of Applied Phycology.
Saini KC, et al. (2023). First report of Planomicrobium okeanokoites associated with Himantothallus grandifolius from Southern Hemisphere. PLoS ONE 18(4).
Bast, F. (2021). Perception of Online Learning Among Students From India Set Against the Pandemic. Frontiers in Education 6(317).
HONORS & RECOGNITION
President’s Inspired Teacher, Invited In-Resident Intern with President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan (2015).
Teaching Innovator Award, Ministry of Education, Government of India (2020).
DST-INSA-INSPIRE Faculty Award for Phylogenetic Diversity of Seaweeds (2012).
University First Rank with Gold Medal, BSc Microbiology, Kannur University (2000).