Subhash Somkuwar | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Subhash Somkuwar | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Dr. Ambedkar College Deekshabhoomi Nagpur | India

Dr. Subhash R. Somkuwar is a distinguished botanist, researcher, and academic leader with over 17 years of dedicated experience in higher education, scientific research, and institutional development. Currently serving as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Botany at Dr. Ambedkar College, Nagpur, he has significantly contributed to teaching, research innovation, and academic governance. His expertise spans ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, ecology, plant biotechnology, and conservation of rare, endangered, and threatened (RET) taxa, reinforced by advanced qualifications including a Ph.D., M.Phil, NET (ICAR), NET-JRF (CSIR), SET, and PG Diploma in Biodiversity. Dr. Somkuwar has demonstrated excellence in research through more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, multiple conference presentations, and successful completion of a UGC-funded project on Byttneria herbacea. His ongoing work includes a major SERB-DST proposal on nano-elicitation in Tinospora species. He has supervised Ph.D. scholars, established plant tissue culture laboratories, and coordinated certificate courses in phytochemistry and tissue culture. His organizational leadership is reflected in his role as convener or secretary for numerous national and international conferences, science exhibitions, and environmental awareness programs. Dr. Somkuwar has delivered invited lectures, served as a resource person for NET/SET coaching, chaired scientific sessions, and contributed as a subject expert to prestigious bodies including CSTT and NASI-DST. A strong advocate of sustainability, he has led green audit initiatives, developed herbal gardens, and guided more than 300 EVS projects. His academic influence extends through board memberships, examination roles, research guidance, and active participation in scientific societies, establishing him as a committed educator and impactful researcher in plant sciences.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Bhilkar, P. R., Madankar, R. S., Chaudhary, A. R., Chaudhary, R. R., Somkuwar, S. R., Potbhare, A. K., Dadure, K., Abdala, A. A., & Chaudhary, R. G. (2024).
Biosynthesis of microrubble-shaped nanoporous Co₃O₄/rGO nanocomposites using Neolamarckia cadamba leaf extract and their antibacterial/antioxidant performance. Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2024.101291

Sawant, R. C., Somkuwar, S. R., Luo, S.-Y., Kamble, R. B., Panhekar, D. Y., Bhorge, Y. R., Chaudhary, R. R., & Abdul Kader, S. (2023).
Novel extraction and characterization methods for phytochemicals. In Recent Frontiers of Phytochemicals (Book chapter). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-19143-5.00035-9

Bhilkar, P. R., Bodhne, A. S., Yerpude, S. T., Madankar, R. S., Somkuwar, S. R., Daddemal-Chaudhary, A. R., Lambat, A. P., Desimone, M., Sharma, R., & Chaudhary, R. G. (2023).
Phyto-derived metal nanoparticles: Prominent tool for biomedical applications. OpenNano. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onano.2023.100192

Somkuwar, S. R., Sawant, R. C., Ingale, P. P., Masram, D. T., & Chaudhary, R. R. (2022).
Nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture: Innovative potential with current and future perspectives. In Biogenic Sustainable Nanotechnology (Book chapter). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-88535-5.00013-5

Chaudhary, R. R., & Ramteke, P. W. (2022).
Nanopolymer: Overview, innovation, and applications. Polymer Science: Peer Review Journal. https://doi.org/10.31031/psprj.2022.03.000562

Mahendra Aryal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mahendra Aryal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Tribhuvan University | Nepal

Dr. Mahendra Aryal is a highly accomplished chemist and environmental scientist from Nepal, renowned for his innovative work in environmental remediation, biosorption, and bioremediation. He is currently a lecturer at Tri-Chandra College and NIST Higher Education in Kathmandu, where he teaches advanced courses in physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, and biotechnology. His academic journey has been marked by prestigious international research experiences, including postdoctoral research at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, where he focused on converting winery wastes into high-value products using sustainable and eco-friendly technologies. In addition to his extensive teaching career, Dr. Aryal plays a vital role in international scholarly publishing, serving on editorial boards, reviewing for leading journals, and contributing to the advancement of environmental chemistry and sustainable technologies.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Aryal earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Bio-organic Chemistry from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. His doctoral research investigated the removal of toxic inorganic and organic substances from aqueous solutions using microbial processes, integrating advanced chemical engineering techniques with microbiology. He holds a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and has also completed a Master’s-level program in Biotechnology at Aristotle University. His academic training is complemented by advanced foreign language studies in modern Greek, enabling him to engage deeply with international research communities.

Experience

Dr. Aryal has an extensive teaching career spanning multiple levels of education, from high school science instruction to university-level lectures for undergraduate and postgraduate students. At Tri-Chandra College, he has taught courses in chemical kinetics, surface chemistry, and catalysis, while at NIST Higher Education he has lectured on instrumental analysis, biophysical chemistry, and bioprocessing techniques. He has served as an external examiner for numerous thesis projects in biochemistry, environmental science, and nanotechnology, guiding and evaluating student research with a focus on scientific rigor. His professional journey also includes leadership roles in organizing scientific conferences and contributing to research initiatives aimed at improving environmental quality.

Research Interests

Dr. Aryal’s research focuses on environmental pollution control, with particular emphasis on biosorption and biodegradation processes for toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants. He has investigated the use of microbial and plant-based systems for the remediation of contaminated water and soil, explored phytoremediation strategies for sustainable pollutant removal, and examined rhizomicrobiome dynamics to enhance bioremediation efficiency. His work also encompasses waste management, water quality monitoring, and the valorization of industrial by-products into useful materials. His research approach blends theoretical analysis, laboratory experimentation, and applied field studies to create practical solutions for environmental challenges.

Awards

Dr. Aryal has received multiple national and international recognitions for his academic and research excellence. His achievements include prestigious governmental honors for scholarly contributions, competitive research fellowships that supported his doctoral and postdoctoral work in Greece, and awards for outstanding peer review contributions from leading international journals. These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing science, his high standards of academic integrity, and his impact on both the national and global research community.

Publications

Dr. Aryal has authored numerous influential publications in high-impact international journals, covering topics such as groundwater arsenic contamination, phytoremediation strategies, rhizomicrobiome interactions, solid waste management, and advanced biosorption techniques. Examples include:

Title: Study on arsenic biosorption using Fe (III)-treated biomass of Staphylococcus xylosus
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Published on: 2010
Citation: 193

Title: Bioremoval of heavy metals by bacterial biomass
Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Published on: 2015
Citation: 176

Title: A comprehensive study on the bacterial biosorption of heavy metals: materials, performances, mechanisms, and mathematical modellings
Journal: Reviews in Chemical Engineering
Published on: 2021
Citation: 74

Title: Biodegradation and Kinetics of Phenanthrene and Pyrene in the Presence of Nonionic Surfactants by Arthrobacter Strain Sphe3
Journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
Published on: 2013
Citation: 62

Title: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies on phosphate biosorption from aqueous solutions by Fe (III)-treated Staphylococcus xylosus biomass: Common ion effect
Journal: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Published on: 2011
Citation: 59

Title: Comparison of Cr (VI) and As (V) removal in single and binary mixtures with Fe (III)-treated Staphylococcus xylosus biomass: Thermodynamic studies
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Published on: 2011
Citation: 57

Title: Characterization of Mycobacterium sp. strain Spyr1 biomass and its biosorption behavior towards Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in single, binary and multi‐ion aqueous systems
Journal: Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
Published on: 2014
Citation: 36

Conclusion

Dr. Mahendra Aryal’s professional journey demonstrates a rare combination of deep scientific knowledge, innovative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication to environmental protection. His research has addressed critical issues such as water contamination, waste management, and resource recovery, offering sustainable solutions that have both local and global relevance. Through his teaching, mentorship, and extensive contributions to academic literature, he has inspired the next generation of scientists and advanced the frontiers of environmental chemistry. His body of work and its impact make him an outstanding nominee for the Best Researcher Award.