Sohel Shaikh | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sohel Shaikh | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Pellucid Lifesciences Pvt Ltd | India

Dr. Sohel Shaikh is an accomplished bioprocess development scientist with extensive industrial and research experience in microbial fermentation, upstream process optimization, and technology transfer. He has contributed significantly to the development of probiotics, recombinant enzymes, fermentation-based APIs, and nutraceutical products, ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards. His expertise spans high-cell-density cultivation, strain improvement, biotransformation, and statistical process optimization. He has led cross-functional teams, driven innovation, and facilitated seamless integration of R&D outputs into manufacturing. With numerous publications and active participation in regulatory submissions, he has played a vital role in advancing biotechnological applications in health and industrial sectors.

Professional Profiles

Orcid | Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Sohel Shaikh holds a PhD in Microbial Biotechnology, where his research focused on developing technologies with applications in plant growth promotion, disease resistance, and bioremediation. He earned a master’s degree in Microbiology, followed by a bachelor’s degree in the same field. His academic journey also includes postgraduate diplomas in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, providing a strong foundation in both applied microbiology and computational tools. He has attended specialized workshops and training programs on advanced analytical techniques, chromatography, spectroscopy, and statistical methods, equipping him with practical and technical skills relevant to industrial biotechnology and regulatory-compliant research.

Professional Experience

Dr. Sohel Shaikh has held leadership and technical roles in research and development, managing teams to execute innovative projects in probiotics, enzymes, and fermentation-based products. His experience includes upstream and downstream process optimization, media formulation, technology transfer, and regulatory documentation for global submissions. He has worked closely with QA, QC, production, and marketing teams to ensure product quality, scalability, and market readiness. His work has spanned lab-scale studies to pilot and commercial manufacturing. Additionally, he has overseen microbiology quality control operations, ensuring compliance with cGMP standards, managing audits, and implementing SOPs for operational efficiency and product safety.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Sohel Shaikh has been recognized for his academic and research excellence, including securing top ranks in competitive entrance examinations and postgraduate studies. He received a project fellowship from a national funding body to support his doctoral work. His contributions to microbial biotechnology and industrial fermentation have been acknowledged through successful regulatory submissions and commercial product launches. He has represented his organizations internationally, participating in exhibitions and business meetings, and contributed as a lead author in high-impact research publications. His achievements reflect his dedication to bridging scientific innovation with practical, market-ready biotechnological solutions.

Research Skills

Dr. Sohel Shaikh possesses expertise in microbial isolation, fermentation, and metabolite production, along with enzyme assays and protein purification. His molecular biology skills include PCR, cloning, electrophoresis, and genetic analysis. He is proficient in operating analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC, GC-MS, FTIR, and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. He applies statistical tools like Design of Experiments for process optimization and utilizes bioinformatics software for genomic and protein analysis. His experience extends to developing GMP-compliant cell banks, scaling processes from lab to commercial levels, and preparing technical dossiers for regulatory bodies, ensuring robust, efficient, and compliant biotechnological processes.

Notable Publications

Role of hydrolytic enzymes of rhizoflora in biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens: an overview
Author: HP Jadhav, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Rhizotrophs: Plant growth promotion to bioremediation, 183-203
Year: 2017
Citations: 210

Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their formulation in biocontrol of plant diseases
Author: SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Plant microbes symbiosis: applied facets, 337-351
Year: 2014
Citations: 141

Modified chrome azurol S method for detection and estimation of siderophores having affinity for metal ions other than iron
Author: PR Patel, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Environmental Sustainability 1 (1), 81-87
Year: 2018
Citations: 111

Dynamism of PGPR in bioremediation and plant growth promotion in heavy metal contaminated soil
Author: PR Patel, SS Shaikh, RZ Sayyed
Journal: Indian J Exp Biol 54 (4), 286-290
Year: 2016
Citations: 97

Assessment of awareness, attitude and practices regarding eco-friendly dentistry among dental professionals in Pune city of Maharashtra
Author: R Nagarale, M Todkar, NJ Shaikh, SS Shaikh, NM Wani
Journal: Int J Appl Dent Sci 8 (1), 140-4
Year: 2022
Citations: 10

Conclusion

Dr. Sohel Shaikh’s career reflects a balanced blend of scientific expertise, industrial application, and regulatory compliance in the biotechnology sector. His leadership in process development and innovation has advanced products from concept to market, impacting human and animal health industries. With a strong academic background, extensive technical skills, and a track record of successful technology transfers, he continues to contribute to sustainable and efficient bioprocess solutions. His ability to integrate research findings into scalable manufacturing systems positions him as a valuable contributor to industrial biotechnology, fostering advancements in probiotics, enzymes, APIs, and nutraceuticals globally.

Devendra Jain | Microbial Biotechnology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Devendra Jain | Microbial Biotechnology | Best Academic Researcher Award

MPUAT, India

Author Profile

ORCID

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Devendra Jain, laid a strong academic foundation in agricultural and biotechnological sciences:

  • Ph.D. in Science from Rajasthan University, Jaipur (2010), supported by a CSIR-SRF fellowship.

  • M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (2005), with an exceptional CGPA of 9.22/10, under the prestigious DBT fellowship.

  • B.Sc. (Ag.) Hons. from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (2003) with 8.48/10 GPA.

  • Qualified ICAR-NET (2009), further establishing his academic rigor in the agricultural biotechnology domain.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Since joining Rajasthan College of Agriculture (RCA), MPUAT, Udaipur on 1st August 2013, Dr. Jain has been engaged as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. His teaching spans UG, PG, and Ph.D. levels, shaping the minds of future agricultural biotechnologists.

He has taken on several leadership roles including:

  • Training Coordinator and Organizing Secretary in national training programs and symposia.

  • Editor of the college magazine Prabudh Krishak.

  • Chief Information Security Officer, Lab In-charge, and Member of several institutional technical, examination, and anti-ragging committees.

📚 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Dr. Jain has significantly contributed to the field of Microbial Biotechnology, focusing on:

  • Biofertilizer development and application.

  • Soil biodiversity enhancement through microbial consortia.

  • Nanomaterials for plant growth and protection.

  • Mycosynthesis of nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications.

  • Population genetics of Helicoverpa armigera in collaboration with USDA.

His leadership as PI/Co-PI in multiple RKVY, AINP, and ICAR-funded projects has led to:

  • Innovative production of liquid microbial inoculants.

  • Field-level promotion of organic farming practices.

  • Tribal region-focused deployment of bio-inputs.

🏅 ACADEMIC CITES, ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

Dr. Jain’s academic and scientific contributions have been widely recognized:

  • PCT International Patent Holder: “Molecular Cloning and Sequencing of ACCase gene from Jatropha curcus”.

  • Young Scientist Awards from reputed institutions (e.g., Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Society of Environment and Development).

  • Multiple Best Poster/Presentation Awards in national and international symposia.

  • University Appreciation Awards received consecutively in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.

  • Served as Guest Editor (Frontiers in Medical Technology) and Editor (Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology).

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

International

  • Represented India in USA, England, Ireland, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait for academic training and collaboration.

  • Participated in the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange (SAKURA Science Program) at University of Miyazaki (2017).

  • Engaged in USDA collaborative projects, with a funding of USD 15,000.

🇮🇳 National & State Level

  • Contributed to National Agricultural Policies through ICAR network projects.

  • Made significant state-level agricultural recommendations to enhance sustainable farming in Rajasthan.

🧭 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Jain’s enduring legacy lies in:

  • Championing bio-based alternatives for chemical agriculture.

  • Mentoring the next generation of biotechnologists and agronomists.

  • Creating scalable models

 ✅CONCLUSION

Dr. Devendra Jain is a dedicated researcher and educator in Microbial Biotechnology at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. With international exposure, multiple research projects, patents, and awards to his credit, he has made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture and biofertilizer development. His work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and the advancement of agri-biotechnology.

 🔬NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

Title: Evaluation of native Bacillus thuringiensis strains possessing nematicidal specific cry genes against Meloidogyne incognita
Author: Paramjeet; Devendra Jain; Chandra Prakash Nama; Santosh Ranjan Mohanty
Journal: Folia Microbiologica
Year: 2025

Title: Efficacy of molecularly diversified phosphorus-solubilizing rhizobacterial isolates in phytostimulation, antimicrobial attributes and phosphorus-transporter genes mediated plant growth performance in maize (Zea mays L.)
Author: Suman Sanadhya; Devendra Jain; Heena Saheewala; Deepak Sharma; Prabhat K. Chauhan; Garima Singh; Sudhir K. Upadhyay; Santosh Ranjan Mohanty
Journal: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Year: 2025

Title: Anatomy of a pest control failure: Introgression of cytochrome P450 337B3 alleles from invasive old-world bollworm into native corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Author: Marissa I. Nufer; Brad S. Coates; Craig A. Abel; Patrick O’Neill; Morgan McCracken; Devendra Jain; Calvin A. Pierce III; James Glover; Tyler Towles; Gadi V. P. Reddy et al.
Journal: Journal of Insect Science
Year: 2024

Title: Correction: Ahmed et al. Heterosis Studies for Root-Yield-Attributing Characters and Total Alkaloid Content over Different Environments in Withania somnifera L. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1025
Author: Iqbal Ahmed; Rajendra Babu Dubey; Devendra Jain; Mohamed A. El-Sheikh; Prashant Kaushik
Journal: Agriculture
Year: 2024