Dr. Satya Sundar Mohanty | Environmental Biotechnology | Best Paper Award

Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Coimbatore, India

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🧪 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Satya Sundar Mohanty embarked on his academic journey with a clear focus on environmental sustainability and biotechnology. He earned his B.Tech in Biotechnology from ICFAI University, Dehradun in 2009, laying the foundation for his future in Environmental Biotechnology 🌱. Demonstrating exceptional academic rigor, he pursued M.Tech (Research) in Biotechnology from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at NIT Rourkela, graduating in 2012 with a CGPA of 9.16/10. His M.Tech dissertation, titled “Microbial Remediation of Phenol: A Comparative Study,” showcased his early commitment to bioremediation, one of the core pillars of environmental sustainability 🌍.

Driven by a passion for environmental innovation, Dr. Mohanty continued his academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Biotechnology from NIT Rourkela, which he completed in 2020. His doctoral research, “Herbicide Bioremediation using Hyper-Butachlor Tolerant Microorganisms in Batch and Continuous Systems,” was a comprehensive study into herbicide degradation using microbial methods — a crucial step towards reducing the toxicological impact of agrochemicals on ecosystems 💧🌾.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Mohanty’s career reflects a rich blend of academic teaching, research, and institutional contributions. He began his professional journey as a Graduate Trainee at NEERI Nagpur in 2008, followed by his role as a Junior Research Scholar at NIT Rourkela from 2012 to 2013. These initial experiences deepened his understanding of environmental genomics and biotechnological applications for wastewater treatment and pollution control 🧬.

He later served as Faculty (Contract) in the Department of Biotechnology, NIT Raipur (2019–2021) and is currently an Assistant Professor at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore (2021–Present). Parallel to his teaching career, he held a prestigious Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship at IIT Guwahati’s School of Energy Science and Engineering from 2022 to 2024, where his focus shifted towards circular bioeconomy, microalgal biotechnology, and biopesticide production 🧫🌿.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Mohanty’s research has been centered on biodegradation, biosorption, and environmental remediation, specifically targeting hazardous compounds like phenol, glyphosate, and butachlor herbicide. His work on microbial consortia and immobilized cell systems has advanced technologies in packed bed bioreactors, enabling efficient removal of pollutants from both batch and continuous systems 🧪.

Additionally, his innovative work on using microalgae such as Chlorella thermophila for biopesticide and biofuel production illustrates a strong commitment to sustainable biotechnology and renewable energy systems. His publication record — comprising over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and a forthcoming Elsevier book — is testament to his contribution to green technology and bioconversion.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Mohanty has received numerous awards in recognition of his scholarly excellence and impactful presentations:

• 🥇 Best Oral Presentation at the 11th International CESE Conference in Bangkok, Thailand (2018).

• 🥇 Best Oral Presentation at the NCCBS-2023, held at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha.

• 🥇 Best Oral Presentation at the 1st International Conference on Practical Zero Emissions Technologies and Strategies (PZETS 2023), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

These accolades underscore his international recognition as a thought leader in environmental biotechnology.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Mohanty’s research on hyper-tolerant microbes, bioreactors, and phytoremediation strategies has provided scalable and sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing issues in environmental science. His studies have been widely cited and referenced across the fields of chemical engineering, bioprocess technology, and ecological remediation, reflecting both their relevance and practical applicability 💡🌱.

Through mentorship, classroom teaching, and international collaborations, Dr. Mohanty has nurtured the next generation of biotechnologists. His strong interdisciplinary focus — blending chemical engineering, microbiology, and environmental sciences — positions him as a key influencer in the biotech-for-sustainability movement 🌐.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a dynamic academic and researcher, Dr. Mohanty is committed to further advancing bioeconomy initiatives through the development of zero-emission technologies, biopolymer production, and microbial valorization of waste. His upcoming book with Elsevier on algal biomass biorefineries will serve as a foundational text for students and researchers alike 📘.

With his combined strengths in teaching, research, and publication, Dr. Mohanty is poised to make enduring contributions to sustainable environmental management, with future ventures likely focusing on genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and climate-resilient bioengineering 🌤️.

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