Sustainable Microbial Technologies for Valorization of Agro-Industrial Wastes

Dr. Jitendra Kumar Saini received his B.Sc. (Industrial Microbiology) and M.Sc. (Microbiology) from Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar. He obtained his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in 2010, after which he worked as a postdoctoral associate at GADVASU, Ludhiana in a World Bank funded NAIP project on Rumen Microbiology. Later he joined DBT-IOC Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Research and Development Centre, Faridabad as a Scientific Officer, where he led team on enzyme development for advanced biofuels. He joined Department of Microbiology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh in 2016 as an Assistant Professor and teaches Industrial Microbiology, and Food and Dairy Microbiology to PG students. His current research focuses on enzyme and microbial technologies for sustainable development of energy and environment. Dr. Saini is a recipient of Early Carrier Research grant from Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and a twinning grant from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. He has supervised one research scholar, 21 M.Sc. dissertation students, co-supervised one postdoc in past and currently supervising 3 research scholars. He has filed one US patent, is an author of more than 30 articles, edited 2 international books and is an active reviewer for many reputed journals in biofuel and bioenergy research. He is the Review Editor for journal 'Frontiers in Energy Research'. Dr. Saini conducted one-week Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) course on 'Integrated Lignocellulosic Biorefineries for Sustainable Development' as a course-coordinator. Recently, he organized International Conference AMI-2019 as an organizing secretary. Dr. Saini is a Life member of Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) and Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB).

Dr. Surender Singh received his B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India). He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi in 2005 & 2009 respectively before joining as Scientist (ARS) in IARI, New Delhi. He joined Central University of Haryana as Associate Professor in 2018. His current research focuses on organic matter recycling including bioethanol production from lignocellulosic material. He was awarded the prestigious Endeavour Research Fellowship (2011) by Government of Australia for his academic excellence to carry out 6 months' research in University of South Australia, Adelaide. He was also awarded with Young Scientist award 2015 by Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI), Young Scientist Award (2015-16) and Associateship by National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi and Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratan (2018) by Department of Science and Technology, Government of Haryana. Dr. Singh has been involved in 8 research projects funded extramurally by ICAR, DBT, DST and MoEF (Government of India). He is currently supervising 4 doctoral scholars and has supervised 14 PG dissertations in the past. He has authored more than 80 research articles, 15 book chapters and is an active reviewer for many reputed journals in biofuel and bioenergy research. He is also an editorial board member of Electronic Journal of Biotechnology. Dr. Singh is a Life member of Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) and Indian Science Congress.

Dr. Lata Nain has a research and teaching experience of 30 years and received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in 1981 and 1985 respectively. She started her career as scientist (ARS) at Central Potato Research Institute Shimla (India) and then moved to present institute IARI, New Delhi in 1988. Dr. Lata also worked in Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada for her post doctorate. Dr. Lata handled various sponsored projects funded by external agencies. Dr. Lata has made pioneering contributions in the area of agrowaste management and utilization of biomass for bioenergy using microbial resources and enzymes. She has developed and commercialized a promising consortium of hyperlignocellulolytic fungi for rapid bioconversion of agroresidues to produce high quality compost. She has also developed formulations of bacteria and cyanobacteria as synergistic bioinoculants for rice-wheat cropping system. Dr. Lata has successfully transferred the technologies developed at IARI to entrepreneurs leading to increased revenue generation and coverage of land under microbial inoculants. She has more than 275 research papers in journals of repute along with 100 other publications including book chapters, monographs and popular articles. She is member of several National Level Scientific Committees and on Editorial Board of many peer reviewed journals. She has guided 06 M.Sc. and 10 Ph.D. students. She has been recipient of prestigious IARI Best Teacher Award (2004), fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS), Fellow of Academy of Microbiological Sciences (FAMSc) and Rangaswamy award by Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI).