Dr Homi Bhabha State University, The Institute of Science, India
Author Profile
ORCID
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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:
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Teaching Postgraduate Botany students at The Institute of Science.
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Serving as a Senior Lab Technician during the COVID-19 pandemic, performing RT-PCR diagnostic testing at Maasaheb Meenatai Thackrey Hospital.
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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:
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Spectral fingerprint analysis of Mesua ferrea Linn. and its adulterants (2024)
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Integrated Morphological and Phytochemical Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and Calophyllum inophyllum L. (2025)
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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.