Botany-old

Department of Botany was established in 1961 initially with a Pre-University course and gradually with a three-year degree programme of B.Sc. Botany in 1979 with Chemistry and Zoology as subsidiaries. Pre-degree was detached from the college and currently has 4 teaching faculty and 2 lab staff. Advanced Systematics is the specialization paper for the B.Sc. degree programme. An open course in Applied Botany is also being conducted by the department. Altogether 36 batches have been awarded the B.Sc. degree with Botany. More than 500 Botanical specimens including algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms are well preserved. The department maintains a medicinal garden in the campus and also provides plant identification services to the nearby college students.

Dr. Ranjusha A.P (Assistant Professor & Head)

Dr. Pramod Kumar N (Assistant Professor)

Name

Dr. Pramod Kumar N

Designation

Assistant Professor (Botany Department)

Address

Vibhavari, Sri Ram nagar, Yakkara P.O, Palakkad - 678701

Contact number

0481-2420795, 9447370100 (Mob)

Email id

pramodkn27@gmail.com

Qualification

Degree	Subjects/ Title	University	Year of Passing	Merit
Ph.D	“Systematic And Ethnobotanic Studies on The Rubiaceae of Kerala”	Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam	2009	Awarded
M.Sc.	Botany with Biotechnology (Special paper)	Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam	2000	First Class (69.5%)
B.Ed.	Natural Science	Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam	2001	First Class (69.3%)
B.Sc.	Botany (Main) Zoology&Chemistry (Sub.)	Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam	1998	First Class (71.3%)

Other relevant details

Qualified State Eligibility Test (SET) for Higher Secondary School Teacher.
Computer working Knowledge.
Life Member Indian Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT)-No.460.
Orientation Programme 03-03-2011 to 30-03-2011, UGC –ASC, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram.
Refresher Course 01-10-2012 to 22-10-2012, UGC –ASC, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram.
Refresher Course 06-02-2020 to 19-02-2020, UGC –HRDC, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Refresher Course 09-10-2020 to 22-10-2020, MHRD-TLC, University of Calicut.
Refresher Course 07-12-2021 to 20-12-2021, UGC –HRDC, University of Calicut.

Teaching experience

Six months as Lecturer in Botany at the Post Graduate Department of Botany, St.Berchmans College, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala.
Three months of experience in Bharathia Vidhya Bhavan School, Cochin, Kerala.
Worked as a Botany faculty for 2 years at T.I.M.E. ENTRANCE COACHING CENTRE, Changanacherry, Kerala, a leading Entrance Education Centre in India with 110 centres across the nation providing Med/Engg. Entrance Coaching.
One and a half Year Teaching experience as a Lecturer in Botany at the Post Graduate Department of Botany, St.Berchmans College, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala. (June 2008 - October 2009).
Worked as an assistant in VTM NSS College Dhanuvachapuram from December2009-June2013.
Working as an assistant professor in the Department of Botany, NSS College, Cherthala, June 2013 onwards, as Head of the department from June 2016 to June 2018.
Presently working as an assistant professor in the department of Botany NSS College, Ottapalam, June 2018 onwards.

Research experience

*.Research Guide in Botany at Mercy College, Palakkad.
One-year research experience as a part of M.Sc. special paper-Biotechnology during the course carried out a research project entitled “Tissue culture studies in Punica granatum Linn”.
Eight months of research experience as a Project Assistant in a project entitled “Ecological studies on focal species in MPCA of Silent Valley and Kolli Hills” under the guidance of Dr. C.Kunhikannan, Scientist, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
One year of research experience as a Junior Research Fellow in a MoEF project entitled “Taxonomy capacity building project under all India coordinated research project on Orchids” under the supervision of Dr. C. Sathish Kumar, Scientist, Orchid Biology Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram.
Two years of research experience as a Research Fellow in a MoEF project entitled “Forests and agricultural ecosystem analysis to assess ecosystem health and identify rehabilitation strategies in the Kerala part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve” under the guidance of Dr. U.M.Chandrashekara, Scientist, Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) sub-centre, Nilambur.

Publications

PAPER Presented

Antony, V.T., N.Pramod Kumar, 2003. Economic and Ecological Value of Plant Biodiversity of Periyar Tiger Reserve. In Proceedings of Annual Research Seminar “Exploring Periyar” conducted at PTR March 2003.
Kunhikannan, C., Dogra, R.K., Venkatasubramanian, N., Sivalingam, R., N.Pramod Kumar, and Thomas, S., 2003. Population Structure and Regeneration Status of some Threatened Medicinal Plants in Silent Valley Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA). In: Kallarackal J. et al. (ed.) Proceedings of the Workshop on Conservation and Research Needs of the Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) tree species in Kerala part of the Western Ghats, KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur. Pp. 24-27.
Kunhikannan, C., Venkatasubramanian, N., Nagarajan, B., Sivalingam, R., N.Pramod Kumar, and Thomas, S., 2007. Diversity and Population diversity of trees and lianas in Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA) in Kolli Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. In National Seminar on Conservation of Eastern Ghats (Abstract). Environment Protection Training & Research Institute (EPTRI). Hyderabad. pp. 21-22.
Pramod Kumar N & V. T Antony, 2009. WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS-KERALA. In Proceeding of National Seminar on Wild Edibles, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Pramod Kumar N & V. T Antony, 2009. Ethnobotany of the Religious Plants used by the Brahmin Community in Kerala. In Proceeding of State Level Seminar on Ethnobotany, The Plant Friendly Practices on Medicinal Plants. Department of Botany, St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam.
Y.C. Roy, V. T Antony & Pramod Kumar N, 2009. Ethnobotanical importance of Some Plants used for Healing Practices in Kerala. In Proceeding of State Level Seminar on Ethnobotany, The Plant Friendly Practices on Medicinal Plants. Department of Botany, St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam.
Pramod Kumar N,2013. Ethnobotanical practices for curing gastrointestinal problems with special reference to the family Apiaceae. In Proceedings of International Seminar on PalntBioSystematics, Department of Botany, S.B. College, Changanassery.
Pramod Kumar N,2015. “Grihavaidyam”. Presented in National Seminar on “Traditional Medical Practices in Kerala”, organized by International Centre for Kerala Studies, University of Kerala, Kariavattom(29,30 september&1st October 2015).

PAPER Published

N.Pramod Kumar, Antony, V.T, and.Krishnaraj, M.V.2010. Neanotis indica(DC)Lewis Var.deltoidea (Wall.ex.Wight and Arnon)Lewis(Rubiaceae-Hedyotideae.A New Record for Kerala.Indian Journal of Forestry.Vol.33(1)113-114.
N.Pramod Kumar, Antony, V.T, and.Krishnaraj, M.V.2009. Extended Distribution of Hedyotis pterita Bl. (Rubiaceae: Hedyotideae) in Kerala. In Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany. Vol.33 No.1: 64-66.
Krishnaraj M.V., Ajesh T.P., Mohanan N., Pramod Kumar N. 2009. Calamus shendurunii Anto, Renuka & Sreekumar (Arecaceae) – A New Record for Tamil Nadu, India. Indian Journal of Botanical Research Vol.5 (1&2):123-124. (International).
C.Kunhikannan, N.Venkatasubramanian, R.Sivalingam, N.Pramod Kumar, Salvy Thomas & Sibin Thampan 2011. Diversity of Woody Species in the Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA) of Silent Valley National Park, Kerala. Journal of Biodiversity, 12:2, 97-107. (International).
Sunilkumar.T, Scaria.K.Varghese, Salvy Thomas, Pramod Kumar. N, Jaison Joseph & V.T Antony (2012.). Lippia alba(Mill.)N.E.Br. (Verbenaceae): An Addition to Kerala Flora- Indian Journal of Forestry vol. 35.1, page 105-106.
Sunilkumar.T,Pramod Kumar.N,& ,. V.T Antony (2011.). Some Sacred Plants are used by Namboodiri Brahmins for worship and Medicine. Research Lines Vol.No. 1-B pp. 19-25.
Sajitha Menon, Prasanna Rajan, Dr.N.Pramod Kumar (2019).Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in “Muthuthala Panchayath” Palakkad District, Kerala, India.Research Journal of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences.Vol.5, Issue-2.
Article in Science Journal.
Pramod Kumar N, 2016, Bone Setter-Cissus quadrangularis- “Changalamparanda”- Scince Voyager,1-2016.P-25.

Primitive ferns of South India (2008) published by Rainbow book publishers, Chengannur.

Spleenworts (Asplenium L.-Pteridophyta) of South India (2008) published by Malabar natural history society (MNHS).

Seminars/Workshops Attended

National Seminar on “Role of Plant Systematics in Biodiversity and its Conservation” organized by Post Graduate Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Cherthala on 4-5 March 2014. Sponsored by U.G.C.New Delhi &Kerala State biodiversity Board.
Participated in the Training Programme on “Biological Diversity Act,2002” at Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore from 01-03, February 2017, Sponsored by National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai.
Participated in the Workshop on Virtual Labs & Online Learning Management System on 08-03- 2015, conducted by Value Virtual Labs, an initiative of MHRD under the National Mission on Education through ICT at Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham University, Amritapuri, Kollam, Kerala.

Extension Activities

Working as Expert in Assessment of Vegetation of Kerala Forest Department and Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

Recognitions

Any other informations

TECHNIQUES KNOWN

Plant Tissue Culture techniques
Chromatography techniques
Herbarium techniques
Ecological survey Methods
Field identification of forest plants
Field identification of medicinal plants
Identification of plants using flora
Construction of Taxonomic Keys
Preparation of flora

INTERESTED FIELDS Teaching by giving first-hand experience (if possible) Conservation of Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity.

Resource Person

As a resource person in the Peermedu Development Society, delivered a talk on Medicinal Plants for farmers on 14-16, March 2014.
Inauguration of Botany association& Delivered a talk on Medicinal Plants at Bishop Kurialacherry College for Women, Amalagiry, on 18-08-2015.
Inauguration of Botany association& Delivered a talk on Medicinal Plants in Christian College, Chengannur, on 04-12-2015.
Inauguration of Botany association& Delivered a talk on Medicinal Plants in St. Josephs's College, Alappuzha on 20-08-2016.
Inauguration of Botany association& Delivered a talk on Medicinal Plants at S.N.College, Cherthala on 02-03-2016.
Worked as Internal Mentor WWS NSS College, Cherthala 2014-2017.
Member Board of Adjudicators of Ph.D Thesis M.G.University, Kottayam, Kerala, 2015-2017.
Chairperson Viva-voce Board M.G.University, Kottayam, Kerala, 24-03-2017.

Academic Duties Held

Member Malpractice prevention Squad, the University of Kerala from 06-04-2015 to 20-05-2015.
Member Malpractice prevention Squad, the University of Kerala from 27-01-2016 to 11-03-2016 & 25-05-2016 to 06-07-2016.
Member Board of Examiners, CBCSS, FDP in Botany, University of Kerala.
Member Board of Examiners of Autonomous College, St.Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala.
Member Board of Examiners of Autonomous C.M.S. College, Kottayam,Kerala.

Currrent status

Worked as Assistant Professor in Botany, at V T M NSS College, Dhanuvachapuram from December 2009 to June 2013.
Worked as an assistant professor in the department of Botany NSS COLLEGE, CHERTHALA June 2013 onwards, as Head of the department from June 2016 to June 2018.
Presently working as an assistant professor in the department of Botany NSS COLLEGE, Ottapalam, from June 2018 onwards.

References:

1. Dr. C.Kunhikannan Scientist Institute Of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding. P.B.No.1061 Coimbatore Ph.0422 2433983 Mob.09486324148

2. Dr. Joseph John Senior Scientist National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station R.S.Puram, Vellanikkara Thrissur Ph.9447889787

Dr. Aishwarya K. (Assistant Professor)



Name	Dr. Aishwarya K.
Designation	Assistant Professor (Botany Department)
Address	Sreesailam, Vaniyamkulam (PO), Ottapalam, Palakkad – 679522
Contact number	9995780353
Email id	aishwaryakizhakethil12@gmail.com
Qualification	M.Sc., Ph.D.
Teaching experience	2 years
Research experience	5 years
Publications	Aishwarya K. & M. Sabu. 2021. On the IUCN status of Boesenbergia albolutea & B. rubrolutea (Zingiberaceae) and typification of B. rubrolutea. Journal of threatened taxa. 13(13): 20133-20135. Aishwarya K. & M. Sabu. 2021. Taxonomic revision of the genus Cautleya Zingiberaceae) in India with a description of a new variety. Taiwania 66(1): 79-88. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2021.66.79. IF: 0.925 Shahina P.M., Santhosh Nampy, A.J. Robi & K. Aishwarya. 2019. Taxonomic revision of the genus Halenia (Gentianaceae) in India and lectotypification of H. elliptica. International Journal of Research & Analytical Reviews 6(4): 48-52. E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138. IF: 7.942 Aishwarya K., K.M. Prabhu Kumar & M. Sabu. 2015. Boesenbergia kingii (Zingiberaceae): a new record for South India, Webbia: Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography, 70(2): 319-322. DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2015.1055926. 0083-7792 (Print), 2169-4060 (Online). Aishwarya K. & M. Sabu. 2015. Boesenbergia pulcherrima and B. tiliifolia (Zingiberaceae) in India: notes on the identity, variability and typification. Rheedea 25(1): 59-68. ISSN: 0971-2313. Aishwarya K., M.R. Vinitha, George Thomas & M. Sabu. 2015. A new species of Boesenbergia and rediscovery of B. rotunda (Zingiberaceae) from India. Phytotaxa197 (3): 186-196. ISSN 1179-3155 (print); ISSN 1179-3163 (online). IF: 1.32 Vinitha M.R., U. Suresh Kumar, K. Aishwarya, M. Sabu & George Thomas. 2014. Prospects for discriminating Zingiberaceae species in India using DNA barcodes. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 56(8): 760-773. ISSN: 1744-7909. IF: 9.106 Book Chapter Aishwarya K. 2019. Foliar anatomy of Indian Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae) – a taxonomic approach. In : Prabhukumar, K.M. et al., Asian Zingiberales : Resumes & Prospects, Prof. M.Sabu commemoration Volume, Bishen Pal Singh Publishers & Distributors, Dehradun, India.
		Papers Presented in International/National Seminars/Symposia Aishwarya K., M. Sabu., M.R. Vinitha, George Thomas. 2023. A revision of the genus Boesenbergia in India based on morphology, anatomy and molecular data. International Seminar on Gingers 2023. 01st – 03rd March 2023. KSCSTE-Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, Kozhikode. Aishwarya K. 2023. On the variation of Kaempferia rotunda (Zingiberaceae) in India. International Research Conclave on Advances in Science and Technology 2023 (Online). 18th and 19th February 2023. Arunai International Research Foundation, Tiruvannamalai, NSS College Ottapalam and Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Aishwarya K. 2023. Species delineation in Indian Boesenbergia (Zingiberaceae). International Research Conclave on Advances in Science and Technology 2023 (Online). 18th and 19th February 2023. Arunai International Research Foundation, Tiruvannamalai, NSS College Ottapalam and Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Aishwarya K., George Thomas & M. Sabu. 2016. On the identity and new record of Boesenbergia longiflora (Zingiberaceae) from India. 28th Kerala Science Congress. 28th -30th January 2016. University of Calicut, Extended Abstract, pp.2040-2042. Aishwarya K., George Thomas & M. Sabu. 2015. Taxonomic revision of the genus Boesenbergia (Zingiberaceae) in India based on the Morphological and Molecular data. Silver Jubilee Conference of IAAT and Council meeting of IAPT and International Seminar on Advancements in Angiosperm Systematics and Conservation. 19th-21st November 2015. University of Calicut, Programme and Abstracts, pp 73. Aishwarya K., George Thomas & M. Sabu. 2015. Boesenbergia longiflora(Zingiberaceae) complex in India. National Seminar on Advancement of Biosystematics on Biodiversity Conservation. 8th& 9th October 2015.Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Abstracts. Aishwarya K., M. Sabu & George Thomas. 2012. Taxonomic and molecular studies of Boesenbergia and Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in India. 6th International Symposium on the family Zingiberaceae. 10th-13thSeptember 2012. University of Calicut, Programme and Abstracts, pp 61.

		Seminars/symposia/workshops attended 6th International Symposium on the family Zingiberaceae(10th-13th September 2012) at Department of Botany, University of Calicut. National Seminar on Hortus Malabaricus on its 333rd Anniversary of Publication (17th February 2012) at Department of Botany, University of Calicut. National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC 2011-12) at Department of Botany, University of Calicut. National Workshop on Botanical Nomenclature (17th-19th March 2014) at University of Calicut, Kerala. UGC sponsored National Workshop on Research Methodology (16th-21stMarch 2015) at Academic Staff College, University of Calicut, Kerala. National Seminar on Advancement of Biosystematics on Biodiversity Conservation (8th& 9th October 2015) at Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Kerala. Silver Jubilee Conference of IAAT and Council meeting of IAPT and International Seminar on Advancements in Angiosperm Systematics and Conservation (19th-21st November 2015) at University of Calicut, Kerala. International Research Conclave on Advances in Science and Technology 2023 (Online) on 18th and 19th February 2023, organized by Arunai International Research Foundation, Tiruvannamalai, NSS College Ottapalam and Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. International Seminar on Gingers 2023 from 01st – 03rd March 2023 at KSCSTE-Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, Kozhikode.
Achievements	University First rank in M.Sc. Botany. INSPIRE Fellowship of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India. ‘E.D. Chacko Memorial Award’ for the best outgoing student from St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. First prize in an intercollegiate quiz competition held at Bazelius College, Kottayam, Kerala. Certificate for the best paper oral presentation in National Seminar on Advancement of Biosystematics on Biodiversity Conservation, 2015.

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Name	Dr. Ranjusha A.P
Designation	Assistant Professor & Head (Botany Department)
Address	Kalathil house, Kallekulangara P.O., Palakkad -678009
Contact number	9746222327
Email id	ranjushaap@gmail.com
Qualification	MSc ,PhD
Teaching experience	3 years
Research experience	6 years
Publications	Papers published: 4 Workshops attended: 3 Seminars attended/paper presented: 10 Member of Judging Panel for Project evaluation in Children’s Biodiversity Congress (2014), Palakkad
Extension Activities	1.	Member in the team which undertook the task of biodiversity mapping of armed police battalion camps, kerala.
	2.	Master trainer in connection with first and second phases of 2011 censes.
Recognitions	1.	Best Poster Fellow in WGDP funded project, Govt. of Kerala (2007-2010).
	2.	Served as Skilled Assistant in the International Workshop on Molecular Biology conducted by Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom (2013).
Any other informations	1.	FLAIR member
	2.	Resource person in the “National workshop on Plant tissue culture, Cell culture and Cryopreservation Technology” sponsored by KSCSTE organized by Department of Botany, University of Kerala, 14th – 23rd November, 2016.
	3.	Worked as Project fellow in the WGDP funded project, Govt. of Kerala on conservation biotechnology in Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom (2007-2010)
	4.	Best Poster Award in ‘Golden Jubilee National Symposium on Plant Diversity Utilization and Management’ organized by Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram during 27th – 29th May 2010.