Biotechnology (unaided)


Coordinator: Dr Bela Nabar

Department of Biotechnology was founded in the year 2004 by Dr. B.R.Joshi the then head of the Department of Microbiology. Since his retirement the baton was handed over to Dr.Bela.M.Nabar, Reader in Microbiology. She is assisted by a team of five young, dynamic and enthusiastic teachers and three educated and skilled non-teaching staff members. The department conducts under-graduate degree program i.e. BSc in Biotechnology. The student strength is 105. The teacher student ratio is 1:20.

The Co-ordinator and the senior most faculty of the department are doctorates and are actively involved in research. Two of our teachers are presently pursuing M.Phil and two others are shortly enrolling for Ph.D. The department regularly invites visiting faculty from industry and academia, to interact with our students. It is a regular feature to conduct guest lectures and visits to industries for information on latest trends in biotechnology for the students. The department has served as a host for scientists from Clayton University, Georgia [U.S.A] Dr. Paul Melvin; who visited as part of the Teacher Exchange Program between CSU and CHM College. Students actively participate in different inter and intra-collegiate competitions. Our students are also active members of extension work (NCC, NSS etc).

Achievements of the department include, consistently good results obtained since last three years. This year 94% passing with 8 distinctions and 18 first classes. Most of the passed out students are doing Masters in various fields of biology. Students have won accolades and first position in several competitions at inter and intra-collegiate levels. Students and teachers are involved in collaborative research/extension work along with UMC on remediation of Waldhuni nalla. The work has received Appreciation award by National Urban Water Body, Govt. of India. The teachers are part of Minor Research projects funded by UGC .

Faculty Profile

1. Dr Bela M.Nabar
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D-Microbiology
Coordinator - Department of Biotechnology

Positions held:

Lecturer Department of Microbiology July1987- July 2000
Reader - Department of Microbiology – Aug 2000 onwards
Founder Member and Coordinates CPCSAEA registered Facility of Animal breeding and experimentation since 2006
Coordinator - Department of Biotechnology –July 2008

Subjects Taught:
Cell Biology, Industrial Microbiology, Bioinstrumentation,
Research Methodology, Diverse groups of Microorganisms,
Microscopy, Cell growth and nutrition

Teaching experience:
Total Teaching Experience : 22 years, Two months.
Under-graduate                     : 22 years, Two months.
Post-graduate                         : 17 Years, 2 months.
M.Phil                                      : 02 years
B.Pharm                                   : 02 years
Women’s Studies Centre       : 01 year

Research Interests:
Study of Biodiversity of isolates from natural sources & to tap the potential of new isolates. Environmental monitoring, Toxicity studies using animal models. Water borne infections & other water related studies
Medicinal plant extracts and its components in control of Infection, Wound healing. Biofilm control in wounds & oral cavity.

Research Guide:
M.Sc Microbiology –Mumbai since 2002
Ph.D Microbiology since 2007.
M.Phil - Environmental Science –YCMOU.

Research Students & Projects:

 
Completed
Ongoing
M.Sc –Papers
08
02
M.Sc - Research
02
03
M.Phil
02
Ph.D
--
02 enrolled
Funded Projects :
Major –Govt
01
Applied
Minor-Govt
02
01
Community based –NGO & Corporations
02
01

Research Publication & Presentations:

Publications: 4 & 3 sent for Publication, Presentations [Oral & Poster]: 27
First Prizes: 5 [Poster]
Collaborations:
Wadia Hospital
Thane Municipal Corporation
Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation.
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
TamilNadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Kerala Agricultural University,Trichur.

Life Member of:

Burns Association of India
Association of Microbiologist of India.
Laboratory Animal Scientist Association.
Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists.

External Referee for the students of Pune University and University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

Evaluator,Counsellor and jury for the National Children science congress projects since last three years.

Organised One day seminar on “Animal Experimentation in Pre-clinical Studies” in Jan 2006 & One day seminar on “Current trends in Biological Sciences” in Sep 2006.

Review of Papers for Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. & Principal Scientific Advisor, DST, Govt of India.

2) Dr Bhuvaneshwari Krishna
M.Sc (life sciences), Ph.D (Biotechnology)
Lecturer since 2005

Teaching Experience: Under graduate (B.Sc) : 41/2 years
                                        Post-graduate (MPharm, MTech): 9 years as Visiting Faculty
                                        M Phil teacher and guide: 2 years
                                       Volunteer for the “TEACH INDIA” programme of Times of India Group
Subjects taught:           Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioinstrumentation,
                                        Recombinant DNA technology, Genetics, Basic microbiology, Animal Cell Culture

Industry Experience: 5 years in a Pharma-Biotech Company, Mumbai, as a R & D Scientist. Area of specialization being development of monoclonal antibodies and mammalian cell culture
Research Projects/Grants: 09
Research Interests: Development of monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes Development of serum free media for mammalian cell culture and cryopreservation
Other Achievements:
Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee [IBSC], Government of India, at Bharat Serums & Vaccines during 2003-2005.
Member, Faculty Board of Science, HSNC Board, Mumbai, since 2006.
Viva-voce examiner, M Tech., UICT, Nov’2006.
Member, Referee Panel, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, since 2003.
Member, The Art Of Living, India (an international NGO)

3) Gumaste Bhakti Mohan
M.Sc. (Biotechnology), Pursuing M.Phil. in Environmental Science
Lecturer since June 2007

Teaching experience: - U.G – 2yrs 3months

M.Phil Project: - Currently Working on M.Phil. Project titled “Seasonal and Temporal Changes in Air-Borne Microbial Counts: It’s Correlation with Levels of Pollutants And Possible Impact on Human Health” using facilities provided by MPCB and UMC.

Poster presentation: - 02

4) Jaisinghani Renu Narendra
M.Sc. ( Microbiology)
Lecturer since July 2008

Teaching experience: - U.G. (B.Sc) -4 ½ yrs

Projects: - Study of Biodiversity of Algae in Waldhuni Nallah collaboration with UMC
Antibacterial activity of volatile substance released by
Indian spices

Research interest: - Medical Microbiology

Poster presentation: - 03

5) Samarth Amey Shekhar
M.Sc. ( Biochemistry)
Lecturer since July 2008

Teaching Experience: -U.G.– 1yr 3months

Project: -.

6)Peshimam Rakia Masood
M.Sc. (Botany)
Lecturer since July 2008

Teaching Experience: - U.G. – 1yr 3months

Project: - Pursuing M.Phil. in Environmental Sciences.