Dr. Vishakha Raina

Professor, Associate Dean

Dr. Vishakha Raina is Professor, School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Odisha, and Associate Dean (Academics, PG Program). She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Delhi and pursued research at EPFL and EAWAG, Switzerland. With over 25 years of research and 19 years of teaching experience, her work focuses on environmental biotechnology, microbial ecology, omics-based discovery, bioremediation, ecotoxicology of microplastics, biofuels, and waste valorization. She has an H-index of 21 (Scopus, June 2026), secured multiple national and international grants, guided 7 Ph.D. scholars, and continues to mentor researchers and students while advancing sustainable biotechnology and capacity building.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of Delhi

COURSE EXPERTISE

Environmental Biotechnology and Microbiology, Waste Management, Marine Biotechnology, Animal Physiology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Microbial Ecology, Microbial Bioprospecting, Molecular Phylogenetics, Environmental Omics, Biomass Utilization, Bioremediation and Pollutant Monitoring, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Biotechnology

Administrative Responsibilities

Associate Dean Academics PG Program; Chairman, Students Disciplinary and Grievance cell; FIC Innovation Cell

Outreach Activity

Organiser of Art of Giving Camp in Ganjam 2025 and 2026

Professional Membership

AMI life member, SBC life member, INSCR life member

Projects & Consultancies

  • “Exploring the Marine Ecosystems for Novel Bioresources with Human Health and Industrial Significance” Deep Ocean Mission scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES), GOI (2024-25 to 2026-27)
  • “Bioprospecting and Ecological Survey of Chilika Lake Metagenome for Identification of New Catalysts for Industrial Application” funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF), GOI (2024-25 to 2025-26)
  • Rural Bioresource Complex for tubers and millets in Kandhamal, Odisha funded by DBT, GOI (2023-2026)
  • “Developing a novel enzyme based food processing aid to produce safe, nutritious and toxin free processed food”; Indian Oil Start up Scheme 2019 from 2019-2022
  • Bioprospecting microbial diversity in bentic and littoral regions of Loktak Lake for effective management and sustainable development, DBT-IBSD Imphal, 2017-2019
  •  Investigating Bacteria of Chilika Lake as Biomedical Resource, UBS Promedica Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland, 2016-2019.

Patents and Innovations

An enzyme and formulation thereof for reducing formation of acrylamide in food processing (Indian patent filed).