Assist. Prof. Dr. SANKALP MISRA | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. SANKALP MISRA , Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University , India

Dr. Sankalp Misra is a dedicated microbiologist with a Ph.D. in Microbial Technology, currently working as a Research Associate at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow. Born on November 6, 1988, in India, he has cultivated a robust academic and research career focused on plant-microbe interactions and sustainable agriculture. Fluent in both English and Hindi, Dr. Misra has consistently demonstrated a commitment to addressing real-world agricultural challenges through microbiological innovations. His research explores the symbiotic relationships between soil microbes and plants, particularly under stress conditions such as salinity and drought. With a host of fellowships, awards, and scientific publications to his name, Dr. Misra is not only a prolific researcher but also a valued contributor to India’s agricultural biotechnology community. He is a life member of the Association of Microbiologists of India and continues to contribute actively to scientific dialogue and applied research in microbial ecology.

Publication Profile: 

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✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Research Experience
   Over 10 years of continuous research in microbial biotechnology, especially plant-microbe interactions, bioremediation, and stress physiology, primarily under the CSIR-NBRI—a top-tier research institution in India.

2. Focused Scientific Contributions
   His Ph.D. work on salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) addresses crucial agricultural challenges, with implications in sustainable farming and climate-resilient agriculture.

3. Prolific Publication Record
   Co-authored over 15 research papers and book chapters in high-impact journals and internationally reputed publishers (Springer, Wiley, Academic Press).

4. Nationally Recognized Fellowships & Awards

   • ICMR Research Associate & Senior Research Fellowship

   • Gold Medalist in B.Sc.

   • Multiple Best Poster Awards in national and international conferences

   • Consistent CSIR-UGC NET success (31st and 47th ranks)

5. Professional Engagement
   Holds a Life Membership in The Association of Microbiologists of India, reflecting his active involvement in the scientific community.

6. Interdisciplinary Expertise
   Skilled in proteomics, metagenomics, microbial ecology, and plant stress biology, showcasing an ability to tackle complex problems from multiple biological angles.

⚙️ Areas for Improvement:

1. International Exposure
   While the research is nationally strong, global collaborations or international fellowships could further elevate the impact and visibility of his work.

2. Grant Leadership & Independent Projects
   Leading funded projects as a Principal Investigator (PI) would demonstrate further maturity in research leadership and scientific management.

3. Patent/Technology Transfer
   Translating research into patents, bio-formulations, or industry partnerships could bridge the lab-to-land gap, enhancing the practical application of his findings.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Sankalp Misra completed his Ph.D. in Microbial Technology from CSIR-NBRI, focusing on the “Characterization of salt tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from different agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh.” Guided by Dr. Puneet Singh Chauhan, his doctoral work laid a foundation in microbial stress biology. He qualified the prestigious CSIR-UGC NET in both 2013 (47th rank) and 2014 (31st rank), showcasing strong academic competence. He also cleared the CET-Ph.D in 2012. His undergraduate studies were marked by excellence, earning a Gold Medal in B.Sc., emphasizing his early commitment to academic rigor. These achievements underline his solid foundation in microbiology, plant biology, and biotechnological research. Throughout his educational journey, Dr. Misra has consistently demonstrated a deep curiosity for microbial applications in agriculture and an aptitude for integrating advanced scientific methods to address pressing challenges in crop sustainability and soil health.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Sankalp Misra has over a decade of research experience in plant-microbe interactions. He is currently an ICMR-Research Associate at CSIR-NBRI since October 2019. Prior roles include ICMR-Senior Research Fellow and several project fellowships at CSIR-NBRI from 2013 to 2019. These positions allowed him to work on key projects involving soil microbiomes, salt and drought stress in plants, and bioremediation. His extensive hands-on experience ranges from lab-based experiments to field applications, focusing on sustainable and ecological approaches in agriculture. He has significantly contributed to the development of microbial formulations and transgenic studies aimed at improving crop resilience. His continuous association with CSIR-NBRI reflects a stable and productive research career. Each role has helped him refine his techniques in molecular biology, microbiome analysis, and biotechnological innovation, making him a competent and valuable researcher in environmental microbiology and sustainable agricultural practices.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Misra has received multiple accolades recognizing his scientific excellence. He was awarded the prestigious ICMR Research Associateship (Oct 2019) and Senior Research Fellowship (July 2019), reflecting national-level recognition. His scientific presentations have earned him Best Poster Awards in major conferences, including the 3rd National Seminar on Life Sciences (NSCTLS-2021) and the 6th International Conference on Plants and Environmental Pollution (ICPEP-6, 2018). Academically, he secured top ranks in CSIR-UGC NET (31st in 2014 and 47th in 2013) and earned a Gold Medal in B.Sc., demonstrating exceptional merit throughout his academic and research career. His commitment is further underscored by his life membership in The Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI). These achievements highlight his consistent dedication, peer recognition, and leadership potential in the fields of microbiology and agricultural biotechnology.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Sankalp Misra’s research centers on plant-microbe interactions, especially under environmental stress like salinity and drought. He explores rhizobacteria that promote plant growth and mitigate stress through mechanisms such as ACC deaminase production, metabolomic reprogramming, and soil microbial community enhancement. His interests extend to soil metagenomics, microbial proteomics, and bioremediation, all aimed at achieving sustainable agriculture. A key aspect of his work involves isolating and characterizing stress-tolerant microbes from diverse agro-climatic zones, using them to enhance crop resilience and productivity. His work contributes to global efforts in climate-resilient farming, making him a notable figure in applied agricultural microbiology. He has co-authored numerous high-impact publications and book chapters that explore these themes, confirming his deep engagement in cutting-edge microbial biotechnology.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. 🌱 Enhancement of Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana Plants Overexpressing Chickpea Ca14-3-3 Gene

2. 🦠 Novel trends in endophytic applications for plant disease management

3. 🌍 Rhizobacteria‐Mediated Bioremediation: Insights and Future Perspectives

4. 🌾 Endospheric Microbiome-Assisted Alteration in the Metabolomic Profiling of Host towards Abiotic Stress Mitigation

5. 🧬 Revealing the complexity of protein abundance in chickpea root under drought-stress using comparative proteomics

6. 🔬 Characterization of alkalotolerant Alcaligenes and Bacillus strains for mitigating alkaline stress in Zea mays

7. 🌿 Drought tolerant Ochrobactrum sp. inoculation helps maintain homeostasis in Zea mays under water stress

8. ⚗️ ACC deaminase-producing Bacillus spp. mitigate salt stress and enhance Zea mays growth

9. 🧪 Exploration of Soil Resistome Through a Metagenomic Approach

10. 🍃 Essential Oils: Potential Application in Disease Management

📝 Conclusion:

Dr. Sankalp Misra is an excellent and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His consistent contributions to microbial biotechnology, evidenced by a strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, government fellowships, and research impact, make him stand out in his field. His work is not only academically significant but also socially and environmentally relevant in addressing global issues like soil degradation, crop yield loss due to climate stress, and sustainable agriculture.