Koshal Kumar | Himalayan Aquatic Biodivesity | Research Excellence Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Koshal Kumar | Himalayan Aquatic Biodivesity | Research Excellence Award

Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | India

Dr. Koshal Kumar is a dedicated scholar in aquatic ecology with a strong focus on freshwater biodiversity, macro-zoobenthos, periphyton dynamics, and pollution assessment in Himalayan river systems. With a total of 101 citations, an h-index of 5 and an i10-index of 3, Dr. Kumar has contributed valuable scientific insights through multiple well-recognized publications that explore drifting behaviour of Odonata, diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates, morphometric characterization of freshwater species, and water quality analysis of spring-fed and mountain streams. His academic journey includes rigorous training in environmental and biological sciences, followed by professional experience in field-based ecological assessment, quantitative data analysis, and biodiversity documentation. His research interests span aquatic entomology, riverine ecosystem health, biomonitoring, and habitat conservation, with a commitment to developing reliable ecological indicators for sustainable watershed management. Dr. Kumar has been acknowledged for his contributions through academic awards and recognitions supporting his work in mountain hydrology and freshwater biodiversity. His publications reflect a strong integration of field research, analytical interpretation, and ecological modelling, contributing to environmental knowledge systems at regional and disciplinary levels. With continued dedication to advancing aquatic ecosystem research, Dr. Koshal Kumar aims to support evidence-based conservation and foster scientific understanding of fragile Himalayan freshwater habitats.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Bahuguna, P., Joshi, H. K., & Kumar, K. (2019). A report on drifting behaviour of Odonata (Aquatic Insects) in Kyunja Gad, a spring fed tributary of River Mandakini, Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Journal of Mountain Research, 14(2), 63–67.

Baluni, P., Kumar, K., & Joshi, H. K. (2018). Ecology, distribution pattern, density and diversity of periphyton in Khankra spring fed stream of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Journal of Mountain Research, 13, 95–99.

Balodi, K. K., & Rana, V. P. (2015). Macro-zoobenthic study in relation to physico-chemical parameters of Khoh River in Uttarakhand. International Journal of Scientific Research, 4(6), 171–173.

Kumar, K., Rana, J. S., Rawat, A., & Kotnala, B. C. (2017). Checklist of benthic macroinvertebrate communities of stream Rawasan in Garhwal region (Central Himalaya), Uttarakhand (India). Journal of Mountain Research, 12, 91–95.

Koshal, A. R., Kumar, K., Rana, V. P., Kotnala, C. B., & Balodi, C. B. (2016). Water quality and pollution status of Rawasan stream in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Mountain Research, 11(1), 9–14.

Kumar, K., Kotnala, C. B., & Rana, A. R. (2014). Morphometric study on Macrobrachium assamense peninsulare (Tiwari, 1958) from Rawasan stream of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. International Journal of Advanced Research, 2(8), 317–322.

Shikha Dwivedi | Aquatic Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Shikha Dwivedi | Aquatic Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

University of Lucknow | India

Dr. Shikha Dwivedi, Ph.D., is a dynamic researcher in the field of Zoology and Environmental Toxicology, currently contributing as a Young Professional II at ICAR–NBFGR, Lucknow, under the Network Project for Agricultural Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Her research primarily focuses on molecular toxicology, aquatic genomics, fish physiology, and the mechanistic understanding of genotoxic and oxidative stress responses in aquatic organisms exposed to environmental pollutants such as Benzo[a]pyrene and heavy metals. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Lucknow, where her thesis explored genomic instability, transcriptional profiling, and cellular responses in fish models. Dr. Dwivedi possesses strong technical expertise in molecular biology, bio-monitoring, and histological analysis, with proficiency in advanced techniques like PCR, FISH, COMET assay, and real-time gene expression studies. With an h-index of 6, i10-index of 4, and over 117 citations, her research has appeared in reputed international journals such as Scientific Reports, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, and Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. She has authored several book chapters and presented her work at numerous national and international conferences. Recipient of the “Young Scientist Award,” Dr. Dwivedi continues to advance research in fish genomics and aquatic toxicology, contributing to sustainable aquatic ecosystem management and environmental health.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Dwivedi, S., Awasthi, Y., Yadav, K. K., Dwivedi, S., Trivedi, A., Kumar, V., Kumar, M., et al. (2025). Benzo[a]pyrene-induced nephrotoxicity driven by intricate interplay between autophagy and apoptosis in Channa punctata: Unravelling insights of c-myc and atg5. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 100910.

Dwivedi, S., Singh, S., Khan, A. A., & Kumar, M. (2024). Cyto-genotoxic alterations in erythrocytes of fish, Channa punctatus exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene. National Academy Science Letters, 47, 625–628.

Trivedi, S. P., Dwivedi, S., Singh, S., Khan, A. A., Kumar, M., Dubey, I., Trivedi, A., et al. (2024). Dietary supplementation of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus enhances growth performance coupled with transcriptional modulation of growth and immune responsive genes in fish, Channa punctatus. Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Singh, S., Dwivedi, S., Khan, A. A., Jain, A., Dwivedi, S., Yadav, K. K., Dubey, I., et al. (2024). Oxidative stress, inflammation, and steatosis elucidate the complex dynamics of HgCl₂ induced liver damage in Channa punctata. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 9161.

Trivedi, S. P., Dwivedi, S., Trivedi, A., Khan, A. A., Singh, S., Yadav, K. K., Kumar, V., et al. (2024). Dietary inclusion of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus induces growth, activities of digestive enzymes, and transcriptional modulation of MyoD, MyoG, Myf5, and MRF4 genes in fish, Channa punctatus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 110944.