(B.Sc) (H) in Biotechnology, (M.Sc) in Microbiology , Ph.D in Biological Sciences
College/University
Ranchi University 2008, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Bhubaneswar 2010, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 2019.
Dr. Smita Kumari is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the School of Engineering and Sciences, GD Goenka University, Gurugram, Haryana, India. Prior to joining GDGU, Dr. Kumari brings in more than two years of experience as research scholar and as Trainee in Plant Pathology Division, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa and Junior Research Fellow in Environmental Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, U.P. She received her Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Microbiology from Orissa University of Agricultural and Technology, Bhubaneswar and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biotechnology from Ranchi University, Ranchi. She received her Ph.D. (2019) in Biological Sciences from the Environmental Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow. Additionally, She has also qualified national-level competitive exams including GATE and CSIR-UGC NET-JRF.
She has received UGC-JRF fellowships (2013 to 2015) and UGC-SRF fellowships (2015 to 2018) to support her Ph.D. research work. Her research studies mainly focused on developing novel bacterial consortia, their genes, and enzymes for the biodegradation of soil and wastewater contaminants for a sustainable and green environment. Her research area basically comprises Microbial genes and enzymes, Biodegradation of organic compounds including PAHs, crude oil, microplastics, etc., Nano-bioremediation, Metabolites, Metagenomics, and Biosurfactants production.
She has participated in and attended various national and international conferences and presented research via poster during the conferences, for which she received the best poster presentation award in the International Toxicity Conclave (2015). She has published 12 research publications in various reputed peer-reviewed (SCI) journals with good impact factors, with more than 540 citations and an h-index of 9. Apart from these, she has published 9 book chapters as first and corresponding authors as well. She is an active life member of the Biotech Research Society India (India).
Education:
M.Sc. (Microbiology), Ph.D. (Biotechnology)
Research:
Smita Kumari, Anushka Yadav, Priyadarshani Rajput, Tatiana Minkina, Vishnu D. Rajput, 2025. Microplastics as Emerging Threats: Advancement in Biofilm Interactions and Remediation Technologies, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-025-06493-3, (SCI), IF-3.0.
Ram Pravesh, Dharmendra Kumar, Vijay Shanker Chaudhary, Gyan Prakash Mishra, Smita Kumari, Santosh Kumar, 2025. Synergistic Integration of SPR with Photonic Crystal Fibers for Emerging Biosensing Strategies and Real-World Applications. IEEE Sensors Reviews, 10.1109/SR.2025.3586996.
Priyadarshani Rajput, Pradeep Kumar, A.K. Priya, Smita Kumari, Seyede Roghie Ghadirnezhad Shiade, Vishnu D. Rajput, Amin Fathi, Arunava Pradhan, Rubab Sarfraz, Svetlana Sushkova, Saglara Mandzhieva, Tatiana Minkina, Alexander Soldatov, Ming Hung Wong, Christopher Rensing, 2024. Nanomaterials and biochar mediated remediation of emerging contaminants. Science of the Total Environment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170064, (SCI), IF- 9.8.
Smita Kumari, Krishna Gautam, Monika Seth, Sadasivam Anbumani, Natesan Manickam, 2023. “Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil by bacterial consortium in soil amended with Eisenia fetida and rhamnolipid”. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, pp. 1-15, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28082-y (SCI), Impact Factor: 5.8.
Vishnu D Rajput, Smita Kumari, Tatiana Minkina, Svetlana Sushkova, Saglara Mandzhieva., 2023. Nano-Enhanced Microbial Remediation of PAHs Contaminated Soil. Air, Soil and Water Research, Volume 16, p.11786221231170099, https://doi.org/10.1177/11786221231170099, (SCI), IF-3.8.
Smita Kumari, Vishnu D. Rajput, Svetlana Sushkova, Tatiana Minkina, 2022. “Microbial electrochemical system: An emerging technology for remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil and sediment, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, pp.1-17, doi: 10.1007/s10653-022-01356-z, (SCI), Impact Factor: 4.89.
Research Interests:
Microbial genes and enzymes, Biodegradation of organic compounds including PAHs, crude oil, microplastics, etc., Nano-bioremediation, Metabolites, Biosensing, Metagenomics, and Biosurfactants and bioactive compounds production.
Books/ Book Chapters:
Smita Kumari, Ragini Singh, 2025. “Microorganisms: an alternative strategy to combat pesticide polluted soil” in a book entitled “Advancements of decontamination of pesticides from agroecosystems” ISBN 978-1-77491-810-4 (hbk) published by Apple Academic Press, Inc. Co-published with CRC Press (Taylor & Francis).
Smita Kumari, Balaram Mohapatra, 2024. “Biotechnology and Genomics Exploration of Halotolerant Microbes: Application for Improving the Fertility of Saline Soil” in a book entitled “Extremophiles for Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health Improvement” ISBN 978-3-031-70202-0 ISBN 978-3-031-70203-7 (eBook), pp 281-300, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70203-7 published by Springer Nature.
Anushka Yadav, Soumya Singh, Smita Kumari, 2024. Antibacterial Susceptibility of Herbal Extracts for Skincare Products in a book entitled “From Lab to Life: A Compilation of Cutting-Edge Science and Engineering Trends” ISBN: 978-81-968195-5-2 published by Droit Penale Publication: A Unit of Droit Penale Group.
Yashraj, Smita Kumari, 2024. Comprehensive Review on Bioinformatics Tools and Techniques in a book entitled “Scientific Synergy: Interdisciplinary prospectives on trends in Science and Engineering” ISBN: 978-81-968195-7-6 published by Sudharshan Publishers Chitrakoot.
Smita Kumari, Yashi Aggarwal, 2024. Emerging Environmental Contaminants: An Overview on Bioremediation and Omics Technology in a book entitled “Progressive Paradigms: Unveiling the Trends in Science and Engineering” ISBN: 978-93-844344-3-4 published by Universal Book House Aligarh.
Honey Modi, Smita Kumari, 2024. Overview on the Status of Antibiotic Resistance Gene and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degradation in a book entitled “Bridging the future: Contemporary prospective in Science and Engineering” ISBN: 978-93-844345-1-9 published by Marwah Enterprises.
Smita Kumari, Ragini Singh, Balaram Mohapatra, 2022. Emerging bioremediation strategies for the removal of pharmaceutical combinations in wastewater in a book entitled “Synergistic Approaches for Bioremediation of Environmental Pollutants: Recent Advances and Challenges” 978-0-323-91860-2, pp 123-145, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91860-2.00020-8 published by Academic Press (Elsevier).
Conferences: 10 (National and International conferences)
Teaching interests: Essential of Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, RDT, Proteomics and Genomics, Genomics and Molecular Biology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Microbial Metabolism, Basics of Genetics, General Molecular Biology
Practice:
Work Experience: 3 Year's Working as Assistant Professor in Department of Basics and Applied Sciences, School of Engineering & Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna Road, Gurugram, 122103, Haryana from September 2022.
Research Experience: 5 years research experience, research as scholar and Trainee in Plant Pathology Division, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa and CSIR, IITR, Lucknow, U.P.
MDPs/FDPs: 8
Corporate Mentoring
Service:
Board Memberships: Biotech Research Society, India (Life member), Annual member of American Society for Microbiology (ASM), 2014
Editorial Positions: N/A
Reviewer Experience: Reviewed several research articles in various journals like, Advances in Environmental and Engineering Research, Scientific Reports, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Environmental Quality Management, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, F1000Research, International Microbiology, Microbial Cell Factories
Others:
Professional Service:
Ph.D. program Co-Leader
Program Chair, B. Sc. (Hons with Res) Microbiology
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