Dr. Amit Kumar is a plant molecular biologist at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, India. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, his research focuses on plant responses to heavy metal stress, particularly arsenic toxicity, and the protective role of selenium. He has held prestigious fellowships including the SERB-NPDF and Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship, and brings extensive experience in molecular biology, plant stress physiology, and environmental biotechnology.
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Summary:
Dr. Amit Kumar is a dedicated and impactful researcher whose work contributes to understanding and mitigating environmental stress in plants, particularly under heavy metal and pollution stress. His research supports sustainable agriculture and environmental restoration, and is aligned with global sustainability goals. With a solid academic foundation, institutional support, and published outcomes in relevant fields, he stands out as a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award.
🎓 Education
Dr. Amit Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, where he conducted his doctoral research at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute. His thesis focused on the “Response of amino acids and thiol metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant during arsenic stress and selenium supplementation.” He completed his M.Sc. in Biotechnology in 2006 and B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry in 2004 from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi. Earlier, he passed his Intermediate and High School from U.P. Board, Allahabad, with a focus on Biology and Science respectively.
💼Experience
Dr. Kumar is currently serving as an ICMR-Research Associate in the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, since July 2022. From January 2020 to July 2022, he worked as a SERB-National Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Botany at the University of Lucknow. Prior to this, he briefly held the position of Project Scientist in the Environmental Technologies Lab at CSIR-NBRI in late 2019. He also worked as a Research Associate in the Plant Ecology and Climate Change Division of CSIR-NBRI, and earlier as a Quality Analyst in the Toxicology Section at Dr. Sahai Laboratory, Lucknow. Between 2015 and 2018, he was a Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Lucknow. His experience also includes roles as Senior Project Officer, CSIR-Senior Research Fellow, and Project Assistant-II at CSIR-NBRI in various research-focused divisions.
🔬Research Focus
Dr. Kumar’s research expertise lies at the intersection of molecular biology, environmental biotechnology, and plant stress physiology. His primary focus has been on understanding plant responses to heavy metal stress, particularly arsenic, and the mitigating role of beneficial elements such as selenium. He has worked extensively on amino acid metabolism, thiol regulation, and plant adaptation mechanisms under environmental stress conditions.
🛠️Skills
Dr. Kumar possesses advanced skills in molecular biology techniques, plant stress physiology, environmental biotechnology, and biochemical analysis. He is experienced in conducting laboratory-based research as well as field-based ecological assessments. His multidisciplinary background combines strong analytical capabilities with a deep understanding of plant-environment interactions.
🏆Awards
Dr. Kumar has been awarded several prestigious fellowships, including the SERB-National Post-Doctoral Fellowship and the Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship. He also held the CSIR-Senior Research Fellowship and served in multiple research roles funded by government research agencies, highlighting his continued contributions to plant science and environmental research.