Dr. Nisha A

M.Sc. M. Phil, Ph.D., NET with CSIR-JRF

Educational qualifications: M.Sc. M. Phil,  Ph.D.,  NET with CSIR-JRF 

1. Ph.D. in Biotechnology from CFTRI (University of Mysore)
2. M. Phil. Botany from Kerala University campus, Kariavattom
3. M.Sc Genetics and plant Breeding from Kerala University campus, Kariavattom

Research interests

4. Microbial PUFAs
5. Microbial Bioremediation
6. Microbial Biotechnology

Publications

1. A Nisha, Narasimhan S, Manjula S, Nair GM, 2004. Direct organogenesis in Geophila reniformis D. Don., an important medicinal herb. Journal of Plant Biotechnology (KSPBT), 6, 189-192. INTERNATIONAL
2. Nisha A, Muthukumar SP, G Venkateswaran, 2009. Safety evaluation of arachidonic acid rich Mortierella alpina biomass in albino rats – A subchronic study. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology (Elsevier), 53, 186-194. IF 2.92 INTERNATIONAL
3. Nisha A, G Venkateswaran, 2011. Effect of culture variables on mycelial arachidonic acid production by Mortierella alpina. Food and Bioprocess Technology (Springer), 4(2), 232-240. IF 3.70 INTERNATIONAL
4. Alpettiyil Nisha, Navin Kumar Rastogi, Govindarjulu Venkateswaran, 2011. Optimization of media components for enhanced arachidonic acid production by Mortierella alpina under submerged cultivation. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering (Springer), 16, 229-237 IF 1.81 INTERNATIONAL
5. A Nisha, K Udayasankar, G Venkateswaran, 2012.Supercritical CO₂ extraction of Mortierella alpina single cell oil: Comparison with organic solvent extraction. Food Chemistry (Elsevier), 133(1), 220-226. IF 3.33 INTERNATIONAL
6. Nisha A, Maya, Vijitha, 2015.  Certain observations on the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of food colours tartrazine yellow, allura red and apple green on Allium cepa root tip cells. Journal of dbct (ISSN NO 2348-7984), 2(1), 15-30 
7. Nisha A, Rohini V, 2018. Estimation of phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant potential in edible underutilized fruits Averrhoa bilimbi l. and Averrhoa carambola l. from India. Journal of dbct, (ISSN NO 2348-7984), 5(2), 29-43

Conferences attended/presented

1. Nisha A, Venkateswaran G, 2005. Screening and selection of arachidonic acid rich mutants of Mortierella alpina by TTC staining technique.   46^th Annual Conference of AMI 
2. Nisha A, Venkateswaran G, 2006. Optimization of media and pH for enhanced arachidonic acid production by an oleaginous fungus, Mortierella alpina. 47^th Annual Conference of AMI 
3. Nisha A, Venkateswaran G, 2006. Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid production by a mutant defective in δ5 desaturation derived from Mortierella alpina.  75^th Annual Conference of SBC 
4. Nisha A, Venkateswaran G, 2006. Effect of carbon and nitrogen source on mycelial  arachidonic acid production by Mortierella alpina strain. 18^th Convention of Food Scientists and Technologists ICFOST
5. Nisha A, Muthukumar SP, Venkateswaran G, 2007. Safety evaluation of arachidonic acid rich biomass derived from Mortierella alpina: An acute study. International Conference on New horizons in biotechnology (NHBT-2007)
6. Nisha A, Muthukumar SP, Venkateswaran G, 2008. Safety evaluation of arachidonic   acid rich Mortierella alpina biomass in albino   rats – a subchronic study.  International  Food Convention (IFCON).
7. Nisha A, Rastogi NK, Venkateswaran G, 2009. Maximizing the production ofnutraceutically important omega 6 PUFA, arachidonic acid by an oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina – a statistical approach. 20^th convention of Food Scientists and Technologists ICFOST.
8. Nisha A, Prakash M Halami, Venkateswaran G, 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of Δ5 desaturase gene from the arachidonic acid producing fungus Mortierella alpina.  50^th Annual Conference of AMI.
9. Anju Ajan, Divyasree TN, Noufia PM, Nisha A, 2013. Extraction and characterization of lipids in almond and pistachio. “National symposium on Modern Biotechnology: prospects and challenges’, KKTM Govt. College, Pullut, Kodungallur.
10. Nisha A, Udayasankar K, Venkateswaran G, 2013. National conference cum workshop on Nutraceuticals-Perspectives Prospects and Challenges. MA College, Kothamangalam BEST POSTER AWARD

Projects

Membership in academic bodies

• Member, UG Board of studies in Botany (2021 onwards)
• Member, expert committee for syllabus revision 2023-24
• Member of MG University Vigilance Squad (2018-2019, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023)
• MG university Board for question bank preparation (1^st 2^nd and 4^th sem)
• Attended curriculum review workshop for syllabus revision
• External examiner for practical exams (2011 onwards)
• Member, Board of question paper setters (MA College, Kothamangalam & Maharajas College, Ernakulam)
• Chief examiner in various semester examinations, MG university, Kottayam from 2020 onwards

Institutional/other responsibilities

• Research committee convenor (2019 onwards)
•  President, Women’s forum (2023 onwards)
• Nodal officer AISHE and NIRF (2017 -2022)
• Member, IQAC (2018 onwards)
• HoD, Department of Botany (February 2016 – June 2019; June 15^th 2022 till date)
• Elected member College Council (2020-21)
• PTA Executive Committee- Member (2022 – 2023)  
• RUSA research network, coordinator
• Subject expert, Biodiversity survey
• Coordinator of Sasthrajalakam science residential camp (2018-19)
• Coordinator of Sasthrapadham science residential camp (2018-19, 2019-20)
• Coordinated National and International webinars
• Internal exam coordinator
• Member, Journal committee (2014 – 2021)
• Member, Women’s forum (2019 Onwards)
• Member, Purchase committee (2016-2019, 2022 onwards)
• Member, Planning committee(2016-2019, 2022 onwards)

Courses and trainings attended

Resource person: Subject expert for Biodiversity survey