Divya | Food Science | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Divya | Food Science | Research Excellence Award

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | India

Dr. Divya is a postdoctoral researcher in biotechnology and food technology with expertise in medicinal plants, metabolomics, fermentation engineering, and bioactive compound discovery. Trained at leading institutions, her research integrates advanced analytical techniques, computational modeling, and pharmacological evaluation to develop functional, plant-based nutraceuticals. She has contributed to high-impact journals, book chapters, and holds a granted patent for a medicinal-plant-based beverage. Recognized with prestigious young researcher awards, her work bridges fundamental science with sustainable health and food innovations.

Research Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Choudhary, D., Naik, S. N., & Hariprasad, P. (2025). A novel approach for the optimization of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) plant-based low alcohol nutra beverage production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCIM 2428) in conjunction with artificial neural network and genetic algorithm (ANN-GA). Journal of Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-025-06275-2

Pathak, V. M., Rana, N., Pandey, S., Sarkar, A. K., Chauhan, A., Jindal, T., Sharma, M., Dewali, S., Bisht, S. S., & Choudhary, D., et al. (2024). Exploration of extremophiles: Potential applications in agriculture and soil health improvement utilizing extremophiles. In Extremophiles for sustainable agriculture and soil health improvement. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70203-7_5

Choudhary, D., Naik, S. N., & Hariprasad, P. (2023). Review on bioactive metabolites of Asparagus racemosus and its pharmacological significance. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://doi.org/10.21048/ijnd.2023.60.4.34100

Choudhary, D. (2018). Development of alcoholic beverages of Punica granatum blend with Kalanchoe pinnata and Emblica officinalis using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research.

Anantpreet Kaur | Botany | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Anantpreet Kaur | Botany | Best Researcher Award

DAV University, Jalandhar | India

Dr. Anantpreet Kaur is a dedicated researcher and scholar in the field of Botany, focusing on the bioactive potential of underexplored medicinal plants. She holds advanced degrees in Botany, where her research emphasized the evaluation of antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of plant extracts, with a particular focus on Strobilanthes attenuata. Her doctoral research involves comprehensive phytochemical analysis, GC–MS profiling, and in vitro pharmacological studies aimed at exploring plant-based therapeutic applications. Dr. Kaur has presented her findings at national and international conferences and has contributed significantly to peer-reviewed journals, covering topics such as plant bioactivity, climate sustainability, marine microplastics, and biofuel production. Her technical expertise spans ELISA, spectrophotometry, chromatography, microbial assays, and statistical analysis using software tools like SPSS and GraphPad Prism. She actively engages in workshops, training programs, and intellectual forums to stay abreast of advances in plant science, pharmacology, and sustainable development. Dr. Kaur’s work has been recognized for its contribution to ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and environmental awareness. Her research continues to bridge traditional knowledge and modern science, emphasizing the development of plant-based solutions for health and ecological challenges, positioning her as an emerging leader in botanical research.

View Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Kaur, A. (2025). Macroalgae-based biofuel production: Advances in cultivation, conversion pathways and techno-economic perspectives. Next Research, 2(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.101067

Kaur, A., Walia, H., Kumar, A., & Khosla, S. (2025). Strobilanthes attenuata stem extract as a promising source for antioxidant and anticancer activity. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. https://doi.org/10.1080/10496475.2025.2555330

Kaur, A., Sondhi, N., & Sethi, S. (2024). Isolation of a pure compound using column chromatography and antioxidative potential of Azadirachta indica leaves. In Applied Research in Physical & Chemical Sciences and Engineering. MKSES Publication, Lucknow, UP. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13208123

Khosla, S., Sood, N., Sanya, Bhatia, N., Sharma, A., & Kaur, A. (2024). Journey of Indian Space Organisation (ISRO). In R. C. Sobti (Ed.), Role of Science and Technology for Sustainable Future (pp. 515–527). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5177-8_28

Sondhi, N., Kaur, A., & Walia, H. (2022). Pharmacological activities of Urtica dioica: A critical review. In Trends and Innovations in Humanities Management, Commerce, Science and Technology (pp. 303–309). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7676149

LIVIYA GAIKWAD | Botany | Best Researcher Award

Dr. LIVIYA GAIKWAD | Botany | Best Researcher Award

Dr Homi Bhabha State University, The Institute of Science, India

Author Profile

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Liviya Gaikwad embarked on her academic journey with a foundation in Microbiology, followed by a postgraduate degree in Genetic Engineering from D.Y. Patil University. Her strong inclination toward plant science and biotechnology led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Botany at The Institute of Science, Homi Bhabha State University (2021–2025). Throughout her academic years, she developed a robust foundation in research methodologies, chromatographic techniques, and ethical scientific practices, laying the groundwork for her future research in plant authentication and phytochemical analysis.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Gaikwad has held diverse roles, including Lecturer, Research Assistant, and Senior Secondary Teacher, reflecting her versatility in both academic and applied scientific settings. Her significant professional contributions include:

  • Teaching Postgraduate Botany students at The Institute of Science.

  • Serving as a Senior Lab Technician during the COVID-19 pandemic, performing RT-PCR diagnostic testing at Maasaheb Meenatai Thackrey Hospital.

  • Educator roles at Ryan International School and Motilal Jhunjhunwala College, demonstrating her commitment to knowledge dissemination across academic levels.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS IN BOTONY

Dr. Gaikwad’s research focuses on spectral fingerprinting, chemical authentication of medicinal plants, and the comparative phytochemical profiling of botanicals. Her pioneering studies on Mesua ferrea L. and its adulterants aim to safeguard traditional practices from substitution fraud. She has employed FTIR, GC-MS, and multidimensional analytical techniques to evaluate the authenticity of herbal materials, contributing substantially to Ethnopharmacology and Herbal Standardization.

ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

Dr. Gaikwad’s scientific output includes peer-reviewed publications in reputed journals such as Elsevier, IntechOpen, International Journal of Herbal Medicine, and Next Research. Her invited talks, including one at D.Y. Patil University, and multiple conference presentations at national and international platforms (e.g., ICENRPS 2024, ICCSAS 2025), underscore her standing in the academic community.

Highlighted Publications:

  • Spectral fingerprint analysis of Mesua ferrea Linn. and its adulterants (2024)

  • Integrated Morphological and Phytochemical Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and Calophyllum inophyllum L. (2025)

  • Assessing the Suitability of Cinnamomum tamala and Dillenia pentagyna as Substitutes (2025)

She has also contributed as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Elsevier) and served as an editor for the book Futuristic Trends in Biotechnology.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Gaikwad addresses critical issues of quality control in herbal medicine, bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation. Her findings influence policy frameworks, pharmaceutical validation, and public health by ensuring the integrity of medicinal plant use. She has also made notable contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering technical expertise in molecular diagnostics.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Gaikwad’s work sets a precedent in botanical authentication, helping combat adulteration in herbal formulations. She is positioned to become a thought leader in plant-based pharmaceutical sciences, with potential to contribute to national initiatives on AYUSH, biodiversity conservation, and phytomedicine development. Her interdisciplinary background equips her to explore further applications of biotechnology in botany, including genomic studies, bioactive compound discovery, and metabolic engineering.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

Title: The Biomarker Flavonoid “Rutin” in Morus Species: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization
Authors: N. Huria, A.A. Saraf, D.L. Padinjarekutt, L. Gaikwad, N. Mourya, D. Deo, S.V.U. Tanpathak, S. Burande
Journal/Publisher: IntechOpen
Year: 2024

Title: Spectral Fingerprint Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and its Adulterants Using FTIR and GC-MS Techniques
Authors: L. Gaikwad, A. Saraf
Journal: International Journal of Herbal Medicine, Vol. 2(2), pp. 16–23
Year: 2024

Title: Comparative Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. Stamens and Myristica fragrans Houtt. Buds: Assessing the Suitability of Substitution in Traditional Practice
Authors: L. Gaikwad, A. Saraf
Journal: Next Research, Article ID: 100613
Year: 2025

Title: “Rutin” in Morus Species: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization
Authors: N. Huria, A.A. Saraf, D.L. Padinjarekutt, S.V.U. Tanpathak, S. Burande
Journal: Recent Advances in Phytochemical Research, Vol. 3
Year: 2025

Title: Integrated Morphological and Phytochemical Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and Calophyllum inophyllum L.: Implications for Authenticity in Herbal Practices
Authors: L. Gaikwad, A. Saraf
Journal: International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology
Year: 2025

CONCLUSION

Dr. Liviya Gaikwad exemplifies an emerging academic with a solid foundation in botany, phytochemistry, and applied plant sciences. Her research not only enhances the scientific rigor in herbal drug standardization but also resonates with global health and sustainability goals. Through her integrated teaching, research, and diagnostic experiences, she is building a legacy of academic excellence, scientific innovation, and societal impact.