Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Dr. Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Sharma, an accomplished physicist and remote sensing expert, specializes in soil mapping and land surface parameter estimation. Currently serving as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi, she has significant expertise in satellite data processing, microwave observations, and hydrological applications. Her research advances soil moisture retrieval techniques, contributing to improved environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management.

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Summary:

Dr. Jyoti Sharma is a highly skilled researcher specializing in soil mapping, soil moisture retrieval, and remote sensing applications. With a Ph.D. in Physics from IIT BHU and extensive experience as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, she has demonstrated expertise in satellite data processing, radar analysis, and hydrological modeling. Her research contributions, including multiple publications in top-tier journals and an international award recognition, highlight her significant impact on advancing soil mapping and environmental monitoring techniques.

Education

Jyoti Sharma holds a PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU, Varanasi, with research focused on the retrieval of soil moisture and biophysical parameters using microwave spaceborne observations. She completed her Master of Science in Physics and Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry from M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly.

Experience

She is currently working as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi. Previously, she served as a Research Associate in the Hydrology Process Group at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Research Focus

Her research primarily focuses on soil moisture retrieval, land surface parameter estimation, and biophysical characterization using microwave remote sensing data. She integrates satellite observations with advanced data processing techniques for hydrological and environmental applications.

Skills

Her expertise includes programming in Python, R, and MATLAB, along with proficiency in LU/LC mapping, image processing, data analysis, satellite and radar data processing, and Doppler Weather Radar analysis. She is skilled in working with multiple satellite datasets including SMAP, Aqua and Terra MODIS, Sentinel-1 SAR, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, LANDSAT, TRMM, and IMERGE. She is experienced with remote sensing and GIS software such as ENVI, ArcGIS, SNAP, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine, and is also proficient in LaTeX, Microsoft Office, Origin, and HDFview. She has hands-on experience with instruments including LI-2200C Plant Canopy Analyzer, AccuPAR LP-80 Ceptometer, SPAD Chlorophyll Content Meter, and Hydra Go soil moisture sensor.

Awards

She received the Best Poster Award in the “Retrieval and Assessment” category at the International Soil Moisture School (ISMS) organized by IEEE-GRSS at IIT Bombay. She also qualified CSIR-NET JRF in Physical Science.

Publications

  • Development of a new vegetation modulated soil moisture index for the spatial disaggregation of SMAP soil moisture data product

    • Authors: J. Sharma, R. Prasad, P.K. Srivastava, S.A. Yadav, S.K. Singh, B. Verma

    • Year: 2024

    • Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

       

  • Incorporation of first-order backscattered power in Water Cloud Model for improving the Leaf Area Index and Soil Moisture retrieval using dual-polarized Sentinel-1 SAR data

    • Authors: Shubham Kumar Singh, Rajendra Prasad, Prashant K. Srivastava, Suraj A. Yadav, Vijay P. Yadav, Jyoti Sharma

    • Year: 2023

    • Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment

       

  • Challenges in Radar remote sensing

    • Authors: Jyoti Sharma, Prashant K. Srivastava, Rajendra Prasad, Sumit Chaudhary Kumar, Suraj A. Yadav, Swati Suman, Varsha Pandey, Rishabh Singh, Dileep Kumar Gupta

    • Year: 2022

    • Journal: Radar Remote Sensing

  • Far-field bistatic scattering simulation for rice crop biophysical parameters retrieval using modified radiative transfer model at X- and C-band

    • Authors: S.A. Yadav, R. Prasad, V.P. Yadav, B. Verma, S.K. Singh, J. Sharma, P.K. Srivastava

    • Year: 2022

    • Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment

Conclusion:

Dr. Jyoti Sharma is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. With continued advancements in global collaborations and leadership roles, she has the potential to further excel as a leading scientist in soil and environmental research.

Sivaranjani S | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Dr. Sivaranjani S | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sivaranjani S, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, India

Dr. Sivaranjani S is a Scientist-C at the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, North East Regional Centre, India. She holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, with expertise in carbon sequestration and nutrient dynamics. With a strong academic foundation, including a Gold Medal in M.Sc. Agriculture (Soil and Water Conservation) from Banaras Hindu University, her research focuses on forest soil health, climate adaptation, and sustainable land management in the Indian Himalayan Region. Dr. Sivaranjani has contributed to numerous national and international projects and publications, earning multiple awards for her scientific excellence.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Sivaranjani S is a dedicated and impactful researcher whose work is helping shape our understanding of soil respiration and its environmental drivers in the Himalayan region. Her contributions to ecological modeling and climate-soil interaction studies are well-recognized and align closely with the objectives of the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also aids in conservation planning and sustainable ecosystem management.

🎓 Education

Dr. Sivaranjani S holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Forest Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, with a specialization in carbon sequestration and nutrient dynamics across various vegetation covers. She earned her M.Sc. in Agriculture (Soil and Water Conservation) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, where she secured a Gold Medal with an impressive 88.90%. She also completed her B.Sc. (Agriculture) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with a strong academic record of 84%.

💼Experience

Currently serving as Scientist C at the G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, North East Regional Centre, Dr. Sivaranjani brings a robust research background in soil health and ecosystem-based climate adaptation. Her previous roles include serving as a Research Associate at FRI and as a DST-INSPIRE Fellow, during which she made impactful contributions to forest soil research and conservation strategies. She has participated as Co-Principal Investigator in six significant national and regional research projects focusing on environmental impact, forest fire effects, and social assessments for hydroelectric projects.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Sivaranjani’s research primarily focuses on soil science, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and sustainable land management in the fragile ecosystems of the Indian Himalayan Region. Her doctoral work contributed to a deeper understanding of forest soil carbon dynamics under various vegetation types. Currently, her research supports climate adaptation and biodiversity resilience through ecosystem-based approaches. She has also contributed to the national preparation of forest soil health cards and continues to integrate scientific research with conservation-oriented field implementation.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Sivaranjani is skilled in soil carbon modeling, agroforestry, water quality assessment, nutrient management, and forest ecosystem analysis. Her expertise spans various domains including ecological monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and sustainable agricultural systems. She has authored or co-authored over 25 research articles in reputed journals, published one book, and contributed to eight book chapters. She serves as a reviewer for journals such as Scientific Reports and Soil Science, and is affiliated with professional bodies including the National Institute of Ecology and the British Ecological Society.

🏆Awards

Dr. Sivaranjani has received several accolades for her academic and research excellence. These include the “Young Researcher Award 2021” from the Institute of Scholars (InSC), Bangalore, and a travel grant from the British Ecological Society to present at the XXII Dokuchaev International Scientific Conference in Russia, where she also won second prize in oral presentation. Additionally, she secured third prize in a poster presentation at the Summit on Climate Resilient Mountain Agriculture, received the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship during her Ph.D., and was awarded a Gold Medal for topping her M.Sc. program. She has also won a Best Paper Award at an international agricultural conference and earned academic accolades as early as 2005 through a state-level science talent search.

📚 Publications

Title:
Modeling soil respiration: Seasonal variability and drivers in pine and broad-leaved forests of the lower Himalayas

Authors:
Sivaranjani, S.; Sarkar, Mriganka Shekhar; Panwar, Vijender Pal; Mishra, Arun Pratap; Rathnayake, Upaka Sanjeewa

Year:
2025

Journal:
Trees, Forests and People

Conclusion:

Dr. Sivaranjani is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her research demonstrates scientific excellence, societal relevance, and a strong foundation for future contributions to environmental science. With continued growth in collaborative and interdisciplinary dimensions, she is poised to be a leading figure in Himalayan ecosystem research and environmental sustainability.