Vimal Chandra Pandey | PhD, MNASc, FISEB

Dr. Vimal Chandra Pandey is an applied research scientist internationally recognized for his work in the phytomanagement of polluted sites. He is consistently ranked among the World's Top 2% of Scientists (2020-2025), according to Stanford University, USA and Elsevier BV. His pioneering research focuses on the remediation and management of heavy metal-polluted sites including fly ash deposits, coal mine spoil, bauxite residue (red mud) using ecologically and socioeconomically valuable plants to restore ecosystem services and support a bio-based economy. His interests also include advancing phytoremediation to utilize polluted lands and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

Dr. Pandey's phytoremediation work has helped expand phytoremediation beyond its traditional applications. He is currently engaged in exploring commercial phytoremediation approaches that involve minimal risk, low input, and low maintenance. Dr. Pandey worked at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, and the Council of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh (CSTUP), Lucknow, India. He is currently associated with the Centre for Research Impact & Outcome at Chitkara University, Punjab, India. He is also the President of the 'Society for Green Development' Lucknow. Dr. Pandey is the recipient of several awards, honors, and fellowships. He is a member of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management and the National Academy of Sciences, India. Dr. Pandey serves as a subject expert and panel member for the evaluation of research and professional activities in India and abroad for environmental sustainability. Dr. Pandey has published over 150 scientific articles/book chapters in peer-reviewed journals/books. 

He is also the author and editor of several books published by Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, and CRC Press with several more forthcoming. His best books are “Phytomanagement of Fly Ash” (2020), “Adaptive Phytoremediation Practices” (2022), “Fiber Crop-Based Phytoremediation” (2022), “Eco-Restoration of Mine Land” (2022), “Designer Cropping Systems for Polluted Land” (2023) and "Aromatic Plant-Based Phytoremediation" (2023). Dr. Pandey is Associate Editor, Editor, Academic Editor, Advisory Board, Board Member of many prestigious journals such as Land Degradation and Development; Restoration Ecology; Ecological Processes; Environment, Development, and Sustainability; Ambio; Environmental Management; Discover Sustainability; Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; Clean-Soil, Air, Water and PLOS ONE by Wiley, Springer, and PLOS. He also serves as a guest editor for many reputed international journals.