Pushpender Sharma | Environmental Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Pushpender Sharma | Environmental Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Amity Institute of Biotechnology, J, India

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor at Amity University Jaipur, is a highly accomplished researcher with over 15 years of academic and research experience in biotechnology. He holds a Ph.D. from Panjab University and completed a prestigious DBT-funded postdoctoral fellowship at IISER Mohali. His work spans cutting-edge areas such as metagenomics, protein engineering, and antimicrobial peptides. With an H-index of 18 and i10-index of 28, he has made significant contributions to scientific literature and has guided numerous postgraduate and doctoral students. He holds an Indian patent on engineered lipase with industrial relevance and has received notable awards, including the Young Scientist Award and an editorial distinction from Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). His leadership in research coordination and editorial roles across reputed journals further reflects his standing in the academic community. While greater industry collaboration and higher-impact publications could enhance his profile, he remains a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

Education🎓

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma has a strong and progressive academic background in the field of biotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Panjab University, Chandigarh, where he conducted research under the supervision of Prof. Jagdeep Kaur from February 2005 to July 2010. Following his doctoral studies, he was awarded a prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and completed his postdoctoral research at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, under Prof. Samrat Mukhopadhyay from July 2010 to July 2012. Prior to his doctoral work, he obtained a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Biotechnology from Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar, in 2001, and a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in

from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, in 1999. His solid educational foundation has equipped him with extensive knowledge and expertise in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and related biosciences, laying the groundwork for his research and academic success.

Professional Experience📝

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma brings over 15 years of rich professional experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership. He is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, a position he has held since November 2021. Prior to this, he worked for more than nine years as an Assistant Professor at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. His research journey began with a prestigious DBT-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship at IISER Mohali from 2010 to 2012. Dr. Sharma has actively contributed to major institutional research initiatives, including the DST PURSE program worth ₹8.5 crores. He also serves as Coordinator of the Amity Center for Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine and the B.Sc. Biotechnology program. In addition to teaching and mentoring, he is a core member of the Amity Science Technology and Innovation Foundation, reflecting his commitment to advancing science and education through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Research Interest🔎

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma’s research interests lie at the intersection of molecular biology, biotechnology, and applied microbiology, with a strong focus on solving real-world problems through innovative scientific approaches. His primary areas of expertise include molecular biology and genetic engineering, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and protein engineering. He has a keen interest in exploring and characterizing biocatalysts, antimicrobial peptides from metagenomic sources, and investigating protein folding and misfolding mechanisms. His work also delves into the biological degradation of pesticides and oral microbiome analysis, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach that integrates environmental, industrial, and health-related applications. Dr. Sharma is particularly skilled in protein expression and purification, enzyme assays, mutagenesis techniques, and advanced biophysical characterization methods. His research aims to discover and engineer novel biomolecules with high efficiency and stability for use in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental remediation. His passion for translational research continues to drive his contributions to both fundamental science and industrial innovation.

Award and Honor🏆

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma has received several prestigious awards and honors that recognize his significant contributions to biotechnology research. He was recently honored with the Editor of Distinction Award (2025) by Scientific Reports, a journal from the Nature Publishing Group. He was awarded a Fast-Track Research Grant under the Young Scientist Scheme by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, from 2013 to 2016. Dr. Sharma also received a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India, for his research at IISER Mohali, and was a recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from 2008 to 2010. He holds a patent titled Engineering of the Metagenome Derived Lipase, demonstrating applied innovation in enzyme engineering. These accolades highlight his research excellence, innovation, and dedication to advancing science in both academic and industrial contexts.

Research Skill🔬

Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma possesses a diverse and advanced set of research skills in the fields of biotechnology and molecular biology. He is highly proficient in gene cloning, protein expression and purification, enzyme assays, and genomic library construction. His expertise extends to site-directed and error-prone mutagenesis, protein engineering, and the use of biophysical techniques for protein characterization. Dr. Sharma has hands-on experience with metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, including sequence analysis and genome assembly. He is also skilled in isolating and characterizing antimicrobial peptides and studying protein folding and misfolding. In addition to laboratory techniques, he has strong capabilities in scientific writing, critical reviewing, and grant proposal development. Having reviewed over 100 articles for national and international peer-reviewed journals, he demonstrates a sharp analytical approach to evaluating scientific content. His comprehensive technical knowledge and research management abilities position him as a resourceful and innovative scientist in the life sciences research community.

Conclusion💡

Yes, Dr. Pushpender Kumar Sharma is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly at the institutional or regional level, due to his:

  • Deep academic and research experience,

  • Recognized research contributions (patent, awards),

  • Active leadership and mentorship roles, and

  • Editorial service in top journals.

However, for national-level or highly competitive international Best Researcher Awards, he would benefit from:

  • Publishing in more high-impact journals,

  • Leading more independent, high-value funded projects, and

  • Building industry-academia linkages or commercializing innovations.

Publications Top Noted✍

  • Title: Mini review on Antimicrobial Peptides, Sources, Mechanism and Recent Applications
    Authors: JKBPK Sharma
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 386

  • Title: Clinical, Prognostic and Therapeutic Significance of Heat Shock Proteins in Cancer
    Authors: PKS, Jasleen Saini
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 170

  • Title: An improved method for single step purification of metagenomic DNA
    Authors: PK Sharma, N Capalash, J Kaur
    Year: 2007
    Citations: 86

  • Title: ZnO and cobalt decorated ZnO NPs: Synthesis, photocatalysis and antimicrobial applications
    Authors: JS, Karanpal Singh, Nancy, Harpreet Kaur, Pushpender Kumar Sharma, Gurjinder …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 74

  • Title: Antibiotic adjuvants: Synergistic tool to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens
    Authors: PKS, Vikarm Kumar, Nusrath Yasmeen, Aishwarya Pandey, Anis Chaudhary, Abdullah …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 58

  • Title: Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of lipase from Bacillus licheniformis, isolated from hot spring of Himachal Pradesh, India
    Authors: G Kaur, A Singh, R Sharma, V Sharma, S Verma, PK Sharma
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 55

  • Title: Engineering of a metagenome derived lipase toward thermal tolerance: Effect of asparagine to lysine mutation on the protein surface
    Authors: PK Sharma, R Kumar, R Kumar, O Mohammad, R Singh, J Kaur
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 52

  • Title: Characterization of a thermostable lipase showing loss of secondary structure at ambient temperature
    Authors: PK Sharma, K Singh, R Singh, N Capalash, A Ali, O Mohammad, J Kaur
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 48

  • Title: Gelatin based Highly Stretchable, Self-healing, Conducting, Multi-adhesive and Antimicrobial Ionogels Embedded with Ag2O Nanoparticles
    Authors: TSK, Gagandeep Singh, Gurbir Singh, Krishnaiah Damarla, Pushpender K Sharma …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 44

  • Title: Comparative metatranscriptome analysis revealed broad response of microbial communities in two soil types, agriculture versus organic soil
    Authors: PK Sharma, V Sharma, S Sharma, G Bhatia, K Singh, R Sharma
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 36

  • Title: Implications of CRISPR-Cas9 in developing Next Generation Biofuel: A Minireview
    Authors: SKPKS, Sudarshan Singh Lakhawat, Naveen Malik, Vikram Kumar
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 30

  • Title: Metatranscriptome sequencing and analysis of agriculture soil provided significant insights about the microbial community structure and function
    Authors: R Sharma, PK Sharma
    Year: Not Specified
    Citations: Not Listed

MD. ALAMIN – Environmental microbiology – Excellence in Research

Published on by Civil Engineering

MD. ALAMIN - Environmental microbiology - Excellence in Research

Wayne state university - United States

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW AT WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

Md. Alamin has been a Postdoctoral Fellow at Wayne State University since September 2022, focusing on wastewater-based epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. His leadership role in the Metro Detroit SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring project is instrumental in informing public health actions, contracted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

WASTEWATER EPIDEMIOLOGY EXPERT

Md. Alamin's research includes the detection of human sources of fecal contamination in watersheds and at beaches. He specializes in identifying fecal markers such as HF183, PMMoV, CrAssphage, and E. Coli, providing critical data for environmental health and safety.

DOCTORATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Md. Alamin earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Design from Kanazawa University, Japan, where he focused on the removal and detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. His work involved strategic sampling methods, RNA extraction, and understanding the mechanisms of virus removal in wastewater treatment processes.

RESEARCH IN VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE DETECTION

Between October 2019 and September 2022, Md. Alamin collaborated with international research teams to develop a ddLAMP platform for the sensitive detection of vector-borne disease organisms. This innovative technology supports portable, microfluidic, lab-on-a-chip solutions for microbial source tracking and disease detection.

AWARDED UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AWARD

In September 2022, Md. Alamin received the University President Award for Best Research Ph.D. His dedication and impactful research during his doctoral studies have been widely recognized and celebrated.

PUBLISHED AUTHOR IN HIGH-IMPACT JOURNALS

Md. Alamin has multiple first-authored publications in high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment and Npj Clean Water. His research on the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the performance of various treatment processes has significantly contributed to the field of environmental science.

EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Md. Alamin completed his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh. Throughout his academic career, he has been awarded several scholarships, including the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship and the KCC FSM Scholarship from SNV Netherlands Development Organization.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Reduction of SARS-CoV-2 by Biological Nutrient Removal and Disinfection Processes in Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Authors: M. Alamin, H. Hara-Yamamura, A. Hata, T. Watanabe, R. Honda
Year: 2023
Journal: Science of the Total Environment, 895, 165097

Passive Swab Versus Grab Sampling for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Markers in Wastewater.
Authors: N.W. West, J. Hartrick, M. Alamin, W. Shuster, J.L. Ram
Year: 2023
Journal: Science of the Total Environment, 889, 164180

Removal Performance of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Treatment by Membrane Bioreactor, Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic, and Conventional Activated Sludge Processes.
Authors: R. Wang, M. Alamin, S. Tsuji, M. Ihara, R. Honda
Year: 2022
Journal: Science of the Total Environment, 851, 158310

Selection of Surrogate Viruses for Process Control in Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater.
Authors: M. Alamin, S. Tsuji, A. Hata, H. Hara-Yamamura, R. Honda
Year: 2022
Journal: Science of the Total Environment, 823, 153737

Extent of Degradation in Three Stage Co-Composting of Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste.
Authors: M. Alamin, Q.H. Bari
Year: 2022
Journal: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 72(8), pp. 914–924

 

Mohd Hadi Akbar Bin Basri – Soil respiration – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mohd Hadi Akbar Bin Basri - Soil respiration - Best Researcher Award

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA - Malaysia

AUTHOR PROFILE

Scopus

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Mohd Hadi Akbar Bin Basri's academic journey reflects a profound commitment to soil science, cultivated through his educational pursuits at reputable institutions in Malaysia and the UK. From his bachelor's degree in Bio-Industry Science to his Ph.D. in Physical Geography, Basri has consistently demonstrated a passion for understanding and preserving the Earth's vital resource - soil.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Basri's professional endeavors encompass a diverse range of roles, from his tenure as a lecturer at Nilai International University and Mutiara College to his positions as an agronomist at Felda Global Venture Holdings and Perkilangan Kelapa Sawit Jaya Fertilizers Sdn. Bhd. His experience as a laboratory demonstrator and postgraduate teaching associate at the University of Exeter further underscores his dedication to educating the next generation of soil scientists.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Basri's research focus centers on addressing critical challenges in soil science, with a particular emphasis on soil respiration dynamics. His publications and ongoing research projects highlight his efforts to advance understanding in areas such as oil palm cultivation on tropical peat soils, fertilizer optimization for kenaf growth, and the effects of soil pH amendments. Through his advisory services and technical expertise, Basri has made significant contributions to resolving complex plant growth and soil fertility issues.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Basri's research and advisory work have had a tangible impact on agricultural practices, particularly in the context of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia. His publications in esteemed journals, along with his involvement in grant applications and technical reports, attest to the influence of his work on the broader scientific community and industry stakeholders.

ACADEMIC CITES

With a notable number of publications and manuscripts under review, Basri's research has garnered attention and citations within the scientific community. His contributions to soil science, particularly in the realm of soil respiration dynamics, continue to shape scholarly discourse and inform future research directions.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

As Mohd Hadi Akbar Bin Basri continues to expand his research portfolio and educational outreach efforts, his legacy in the field of soil science will be characterized by his unwavering commitment to understanding and preserving this essential resource. His future contributions hold promise for advancing sustainable agricultural practices and mitigating environmental challenges associated with soil degradation and climate change.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Reducing bias on soil surface CO2 flux emission measurements: Case study on a mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation on tropical peatland in Southeast Asia 2024