Introduction:

With curiosity of a child and patience of a veteran, I always wanted to learn about everything around me, and question every phenomenon that needs a phenomenal questioning. So I became a teacher! I teach Zoology and have research experience in diverse areas like Molecular Biology, Functional Genomics, Nanotechnology, Integrative Taxonomy and Activity Based Inclusive Teaching Learning from institutions like JNU, NCERT, AIIMS New Delhi and ICAR-IARI. This versatility has equipped me with an ability to look at any research problem with a reductionist point of view. I love exploring nature and it's diverse life forms. I am fascinated with the idea, how evolution has led to extensive diversification of life forms. I believe in not being limited to concrete labs. I am a generalist and follow integrative approach in Science. I am also a cancer survivor and work for children living with life-long illnesses. In spare times I read books, write poems, enjoy cycling and blogging.

Research Experience:

1. Experience in Integrative Taxonomy, Biogeography and Molecular Phylogeny from National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi as DST-SERB Research Fellow on the project, “Phylogeny, Classification and Biogeography of Leaf Roller Moths belonging to Family Tortricidae (Lepidoptera)” 

2. Experience in Nanotechnology and Biotechnology from Nanotechnology Lab, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi as DST Nano-mission Research Fellow on the project, “Decipher Mechanistic Basis of the Intracellular Trafficking of the Optically Active Nanoparticles using Super Resolution Microscopy” 

3. Experience in Inclusive Science Teaching and Learning from Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi as NCERT Project Fellow on the project, “Development of Kit based on Handbook on Understanding Science through Activities, Games, and Art forms at Upper Primary and Secondary Stage"

4. Experience in Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics from Laboratory of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation (LEGR), School of Life Sciences (SLS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi as UGC Research Fellow on the project, “Transcriptional Control of Melanogenesis”

Educational qualification:

Ph.D. Zoology (Biosystematics of arthropods exhibiting mimicry and application of Nanotechnology in detection of arthropod species), M.Sc. Zoology (Gold Medalist) with specialisation in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, B.Sc. Zoology (Honours), M.A. Education with specialisation in Educational Technology, UGC NET JRF, CSIR NET JRF, ICMR JRF, GATE Life Sciences, GATE Ecology and Evolution

Research areas-Evolution Lab:

1.  Biosystematics: Integrative Taxonomy, Molecular Phylogeny, Ethology , Evolution and Biogeography of Arthropod Mimics

2. Chemical Ecology: Distastefulness among Insects, Chemical Mimicry, Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Adaptation

3. Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Functional Genomics, Melanogenesis and cancer

4. Nanotechnology: Nanotherapeutics and Nanodiagnostics

5. Entomophagy: Entomo-medicine, Ethno-entomology

Scientific Societies Membership:

1. Royal Entomological Society, London, UK

2. Entomological Society of India, New Delhi, India

3. Brainology Scientific Acadeny of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India

Experience as Editor/Reviewer:

1. Associate Editor of “Indian Entomologist”, the official magazine of Entomological Society of India, New Delhi

https://www.indianentomologist.org/editorial-team 

2. Reviewer of “World Journal of Surgical Oncology”, jointly published by BMC and Springer Nature

3. Reviewer of “Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)- Molecular Basis of Disease”, published by Elsevier 

Awards: 

1. University Gold Medal for getting first rank in M.Sc. Zoology (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) by Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh

2. Best speaker award in National Conference on "Rethinking Complexity in Evolutionary Trends through Archaeozoology" jointly organised by the Department of Zoology, Sri Guru Govind Singh College (Patliputra University), Patna City and Heritage Society on 4th and 5th October, 2023 

3. Best poster award in "2nd International Conference on Natural Products and Human Health-2022 (ICNPHH-2022)"organised by Deshbandhu College,  University of Delhi, New Delhi from 04-11-2022 to 6-11-2022

4. Second  award for the poster presentation at “International Conference on Recent Trends in Animal Sciences” organised by Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India from 25-03-2022 to 27-03-2022

5. Best poster award in “International Conference on Mitigating Contemporary Environmental Issues by Sustainable Approaches (ICMCESA-2022)” organised by Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi from 22-02-2022 to 28-02-2022

6. Best poster award in International Conference on Neuroscience, "NeuroEunoia 2020" organised by Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi from 16-10-2020 to 17-10-2020 in association with Indian Academy of Neurosciences

7. Best poster award in International Conference on “Health & Research in Current Scenario:  With special emphasis on COVID-19 Virus Genomics & Pathogenicity” jointly organised by Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateshwar College, University of Delhi, New Delhi and Phixgen Pvt. Ltd. on 17-07-2020 in association with International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) 

8. Best poster award at UGC Sponsored National Seminar on “Water Management in the Service of Mankind” organised by Jagannath Jain College, Jhumri Telaiya, Jharkhand from 18-02-2014 to 19-02-2014

Invited as Speaker / Resource Person:

1. As Guest Speaker in the one day seminar on “Biodiversity: Importance and Conservation” organized by Daudnagar College, Daudnagar, Aurangabad, Bihar on 01-08-2024.

2. As Guest Speaker in the one day seminar on “Scientific temper and New Education Policy 2020” organized by Anugrah Memorial College, Gaya, Bihar on 10-12-2022.

3. As Guest Speaker in the audio programme “Aao Iss Saal Kuchh Naya Kar Dikhate Hain” organized by All India Radio, Hazaribagh Radio Station, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand  on 26-07-2022

4. As Guest Speaker in the two days National Webinar on “Current Status & Future Scope for Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology” organised by Department of Physics, Mahila Shilp Kala Bhawan College, Mujaffarpur from 06-07-2020 to 07-07-2020

5. As chairperson of the technical session in the two days National e-Symposium on “Innovations and Recent Advancements in Biological Sciences for Rural Development” organised by Daudnagar College, Daudnagar, Aurangabad from 23-07-2020 to 24-07-2020

6. As Guest Speaker on the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, invited by Daudnagar College, Daudnagar, Aurangabad on 05-06-2021

7. As Guest Speaker on the occasion of World Environment Day 2022, invited by Department of Zoology, Government P.G. College, Guna, Madhya Pradesh on 05-06-2022

8. As Resource Person at two-day workshop on ”Nanotechnology” jointly organized Department of Zoology and Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, BBMK University, Dhanbad on 23-09-2023 and 25-09-2023

I was invited as a resource person at a workshop on Nanotechnology conducted by Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad (Dhanbad University) on 27th and 29th September, 2022. It was a great experience interacting with curious and enthusiastic young minds of the PG Department of Zoology, Chemistry and Environmental Studies. I delivered four lectures in this two days' workshop. 

Collaborations / co-authors:

1. Dr. Deepa Agashe, Associate Professor (Evolutionary Biology), National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR (NCBS), Bangalore, India

2. Dr. Nidhi Puranik, Assistant Professor (Nanotechnology), Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea 

3. Pankaj Keshari, Researcher (Stem Cell Biology and Epigenetics), School of Life Sciences, JNU, New Delhi, India 

4. Dr. Yashaswee Mishra, Researcher (Neuroscience), School of Life Sciences, JNU, New Delhi, India 

5. Dr. Stuti Rai, Researcher (Insect Taxonomy), Department of Zoology, BHU, Varanasi, India

6. Dolly Krishnan, Founding Chairman, Brainology Scientific Academy of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India

7. Dr. Shashank P.R., Scientist (Insect Taxonomy), National PUSA Collection, Division of Entomology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, India 

8. Dr. Subhash Chandra Yadav, Additional Professor (Electron Microscopy), Nanotechnology Lab,  Department of Anatomy, AIIMS, New Delhi, India 

9. Mirtunjay Sharma, Limca Book of Records Holder and Employee of Forest Department, Hazaribagh, India

10. Dr. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor (Retired), University Department of Zoology, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, India

11. Dr. Suchismita Roy, Post-doctoral Scientist, Department for Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA-92093, United States of America

12. Dr. Vijay Barve, Digitization Project Manager, Marine Biodiversity Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles 90007, California, United States of America

Fellowships:

1. CSIR NET JRF

2. ICMR JRF

3. UGC NET JRF

4. DST Nanomission JRF

5. DST SERB JRF

6. NCERT JPF

7. GATE Life Sciences

8. GATE Ecology and Evolution

Events organised: