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.

Vivek Nair | Circular Economy | Excellence in Applied Research Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Mr. Vivek Nair | Circular Economy | Excellence in Applied Research Award

IIT Delhi | India

Dr. Vivek Kumar Nair is an environmental biotechnology researcher based at IIT Delhi, whose work has garnered close to 100 citations with an h-index around 10 (based on ~97 citations). With advanced degrees in botany and environmental biotechnology, he has conducted innovative research in tertiary treatment of textile wastewater using oxygenic photogranules, recovery of phycocyanin pigments, and field-scale phytoremediation of chromium-contaminated sites. He has designed and optimized experimental systems combining bioreactors, constructed wetlands, microbial seeding, and analytical tools to evaluate pollutant fate, toxicity, remediation, and sustainable dye applications. His interdisciplinary scholarship is supported by strong computational skills using R, ANN, GA, SVM, SPSS, Origin, and metagenomic analyses. He has received multiple national and international awards and fellowships: a research communication award at IIT Delhi, fully-funded scholar travel and poster awards, Young Rural Innovator and AWSAR Doctoral awards, and selection to global research schools. He actively presents at international conferences and has leadership roles in coordinating circular economy symposiums and workshops. His research interests span soil and groundwater pollution, fate and remediation of dyes and heavy metals, microbiome-mediated bioremediation, and sustainable biotechnology for textile and contaminated site management. His work bridges laboratory innovation with field deployment, underscoring a commitment to scalable environmental solutions.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

“Phycocyanin from oxygenic photogranules: A feasible ecofriendly dye for cotton and silk fibers”

“Hybrid electrocoagulation and laccase mediated treatment for efficient decolorization of effluent generated from textile industries”

“Phycoremediation of Synthetic Dyes Laden Textile Wastewater and Recovery of Bio-Based Pigments from Residual Biomass: An Approach towards Sustainable Wastewater Management”

“Carbon Storage and Carbon Dioxide Sequestration by Urban Tree Cover: Case Study From Varanasi, India”