Dr. Priyanka Sharma

Associate Professor

Overview

Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Ph.D., is an accomplished researcher with 15 years of experience in plant biotechnology, plant molecular biology, environmental stress physiology, and microbial applications in sustainable agriculture. She obtained her B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. (Hons), and Ph.D. in Botany from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab with subsequent postdoctoral fellowships as a UGC–Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellow and DBT-BioCARe Women Scientist (Department of Biotechnology, Government of India). Her research focuses on elucidating plant–microbe interactions, molecular mechanisms of heavy metal stress tolerance, Plant metabolomics, Nano-biofertilizer and biocontrol formulations. She has published extensively in highly impacted peer-reviewed journals with over 1,400 citations and an h-index of 15, underscoring the impact of her scientific contributions. In recognition of her work, she has been awarded the Best Women Young Scientist Award (2020) and elected as a Fellow of the Young Academy of India (2021). She also mentors Ph.D. and postgraduate researchers and actively contributes to the scientific community as an editor and reviewer for international journals.

Qualifications

Postdoctoral Fellowships (2008 to 2015):

DBT BioCARe Women Scientist (2012—2015); Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
UGC-Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellow (2009-2012); Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Ph. D (2008)– Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India

Specialization in: Biochemistry, Toxicology, Phytoremediation, Plant Physiology, Plant Molecular Biology, Secondary Metabolites, Environmental Biotechnology

M. Sc. (Hons School) in Botany –Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
B. Sc. (Hons School) in Botany – Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India

Experience

Teaching: 8 years

Research: 15 years

Career Highlights

Professional Experience

Appointed as External Examiner for undergraduate and post-graduate course of Biotechnology by Savitribai Phule Pune University
Appointed Examiner for the Central Assessment Programme (CAP) by the Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Appointed as Paper-Setters and Moderators for course of Biotechnology by Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Member of NAAC criterion III Research, Innovations and Extension at college level
Recognized PhD Guide at MIT-ADT University
School NAAC Coordinator at School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune
School PhD Coordinator at School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune
Recognized PhD Guide at MIT-ADT University
School NAAC Coordinator at School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune
School PhD Coordinator at School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune

Awards/Honors

Postdoctoral Fellowships (2009-20012): UGC-Dr. D.S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellow (From 6th Jan, 2009 to Jan 2012) at Department of Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune, India, with mentor of Prof. W.N. Gade.
DBT BioCARe Scientist (2012—September, 2015) Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi awarded a 40.6 Lakh Project under BioCARe Scheme at Dept. of Biotechnology, SPPU, Pune, India, with mentor of Prof. W.N. Gade for the implementation of project entitled “Anti-inflammatory and Apoptosis –promoting activities of Brassinosteroids isolated from medicinal plant
Elected by Pearl Foundation, A foundation for Educational Excellence, Bangalore & Madurai, India for the “Best Women Young Scientist Award” in Biotechnology for the year 2020.
Elected as Fellow of Young Academy of India (2021)
Board of Member for Current Indian Science, Bentham Science

List of Extramural Projects

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi under BioCARe-Women Scientist Scheme sanctioned a project entitled “Anti-inflammatory and Apoptosis-promoting activities of Brassinosteroids isolated from medicinal plant” for 3.6 years (March, 2012 to September, 2015). Total Cost of Project: Rs. 40,61,550/-

Membership of Societies and other academic bodies

Member, Aagaaz- Earth & Resources Care Group, Amritsar
Member, International Journal “Bioscience Reporter” (Journal of Current Bioscience)
Member of The Indian Botanical Society
Editorial Member for International Journal House Bentham Science: Current Indian Science

Reviewer

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum – Springer
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety – Journal – Elsevier
International Journal of Green Pharmacy
Journal of Hazardous Materials –Elsevier
Natural Products Journal
Journal of Plant Growth Regulators
BMC Plant Biology

LSM software learned:

Moodle LSM: Hands on Training full FDP
The BodhiTree and SAFE Tools for Effective Online Teaching: A Hands On Workshop organised by the Teaching Learning Centre (ICT) at IIT Bombay,

WORKSHOPS/ / TRAINING PROGRAMMES: 30 WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES ORGANIZED

Organized one day workshop on “Advanced Techniques in Chromatography” under board of Students’ Development programme of SPPU for undergraduate students on 27th January 2020.
Organised two days International Conference on “Biotechnology: Perspective & Challenges” under SPPU Quality Improvement Program on 14th -15th February, 2020

FDP COMPLETED AND E-CONTENT DEVELOPED: 10

FULL LIST OF PUBLICATIONS:

Book Published

A Text Book on Bioanalytical Techniques published (SY B.Sc Biotechnology as per CBCS SPPU Syllabus) ISBN: 978-93-90506-231; Nirali Publication.

Research Papers/Review Articles/Book Chapters

Sharma, P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2007). Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 29(3): 259-263. IF: 2.28
Sharma, P., Bhardwaj, R., Arora, N. and Arora, H.K. (2007). Brazilan Journal of Plant Physiology. 19: 203-210. IF: 1.12
Sharma, P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2007). General and Applied Plant Physiology 33: 59-73.
Bhardwaj, R. Sharma, P., Arora, H.K. and Arora, N. (2008). Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. 2(1): 149-154. IF 2,
Sharma, P., Bhardwaj, R., Arora, N., and Arora, H.K. and Kumar, A. (2008). Biologia Plantarum. 52(4): 767-770. Impact factor 1.8
Arora, N., Bhardwaj, R., Sharma, P. and Arora, H.K. (2008). Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 30(6): 833-839. Imact factor: 1.5, Citations: 23; IF: 2.28
Arora, N., Bhardwaj, R., Sharma, P. and Arora, H.K. (2008). Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology. 20(2): 153-157. Impact factor: 1.12
Arora, N., Bhardwaj, R., Sharma, P and Arora, H.K. (2008) Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. 2(3):503-509, Impact factor: 2.6; Citations: 9; ISSN 1715-9997, UGC no: 48
Bhardwaj, R. Sharma, P., Arora, N. and Arora, H.K. (2011). International Journal of Environment and Waste Management.10. 8(1-2): 114-122 Impact Factor: 1.06.
Kanwar, M.K., Bhardwaj, R., Arora, P., Chowdhary, S.P., Sharma, P. and Subodh Kumar (2012). Chemosphere.86(1): 41-49 Impact Factor: 7.01 Citations 10; ISSN: 0045-6535, UGC no: 434
Mukesh Kumar Kanwar, Renu Bhardwaj, Sikandar Pal Chowdhary, Priya Arora, Priyanka Sharma and Subodh Kumar (2013). Acta Physiol Plant. (35): 1351-1362 IF: 2.2812.12.
Sharma,P*., Anil K., and Bhardwaj, R. (2016). Environmental and Experimental Botany. 122, 1–9 Impact Factor: 5.5
Tripathi, S. and Sharma, P.* (2015). International Journal of Science and Research. 4(4): 2738-2743. Impact Factor 4.4.;
Khajuria, A. Bali, S., Sharma, P., Kaur, R., Jasrotia, S., Saini, P., Ohri, P and Bhardwaj, R. (2019). In: Reactive Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur Species in Plants: Production, Metabolism, Signaling and Defense Mechanisms, Hoboken NJ, USA, Wily Publisher.
Sharma, P., Sharma, P., Arora, P., Verma, V., Khanna, K., Saini, P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2019). In: Plant Signaling Molecules: Role and Regulation Under Stressful Environments. 141-156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816451-8.00008-3. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.
Khanna, K., Sharma, P., Kapoor, D., Bakshi, P., Sharma,P., Saini, P., Ohri,P., Mir, B.A., Kaur, R and Bhardwaj R. (2020). In: Plant Ecophysiology and Adaptation under Climate Change: Mechanisms and Perspectives I – General Consequences and Plant Responses, Vol 1, Edited, Dr. Mirza Hasanuzzaman. ISBN 978-981-15-2155-3, Springer Nature.
Singh, A.D., Sharma, P., Kohli, S.K., Kumar, P., Singh, R., Arora, P., Sharma, P., Kaur, R., Sharma, A. and Bhardwaj, R. (2020). In: Cellular and Molecular Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals. ISBN 978-3-030-45975-8, Springer Nature.
Dhiman, S., Bakshi, P. Kapoor, N., Sharma, P., Kohli, S.K., Mir, B.A. and Bhardwaj. R. (2020). In: Plant Responses to Nanomaterials: Recent Interventions, and Physiological and Biochemical Responses. VIII, 302 p. ISBN 978-3-030-36739-8. Springer Nature
Khanna, K., Kohli, S.K., Sharma, P., Kaur, J., Singh, A.D., Sharma, N., Ohri P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2021). Antioxidant Potential of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Agricultural Crops Infected with Root-Knot Nematodes. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1350-0_16.
Bala, N., Sharma, P., Kumari, A., Singh, N., Bhardwaj, R., Nagpal, A.K. and Katnoria. J.K. (2021). In: Abiotic Stress and Legumes. Academic Press, pp. 81-91, ISBN 9780128153550, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815355-0.00006-0.
Kapoor, D., Sharma, P., Arora, U., Gautam, V., Bhardwaj, S., Atri, P., Sharma, N., Ohri, P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2022). Molecular Approaches to Potassium Uptake and Cellular Homeostasis in Plants under Abiotic Stress. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4461-0_3
Sharma A, Kapoor D, Gautam S, Landi M, Kandhol N, Araniti F, Ramakrishnan M, Satish L, Singh VP, Sharma P, Bhardwaj R, Tripathi DK, Zheng B. (2022). Heavy metal induced regulation of plant biology: Recent insights. Physiologia Plantarum 25:e13688. doi: 10.1111/ppl.13688. Impact Factor: 4.5

FDP COMPLETED AND E-CONTENT DEVELOPED: to 20

Singh AD, Khanna K, Kour J, Dhiman S, Bhardwaj T, Devi K, Sharma N, Kumar P, Kapoor N, Sharma P, Arora P, Sharma A, Bhardwaj R. (2023). Critical review on biogeochemical dynamics of mercury (Hg) and its abatement strategies. Chemosphere. doi: 0.1016/j.chemosphere.
Priyanka Sharma, Nitika Kapoor, Shalini Dhiman, Jaspreet Kour, Arun Dev Singh, Ashutosh Sharma and Renu Bhardwaj. (2023). Role of sugars in regulating physiological and molecular aspects of plants under abiotic stress. In: The Role of Growth Regulators and Phytohormones in Overcoming Environmental Stress. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323983327.
Shalini Dhiman, Arun Dev Singh, Jaspreet Kour, Tamanna Bhardwaj, Kamini Devi, Raman Tikoria, Puja Ohri, Renu Bhardwaj, Priyanka Sharma. (2023). Redox homeostasis in response to abiotic stresses in plants. In: The Role of Growth Regulators and Phytohormones in Overcoming Environmental Stress. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323983327.
Arun Dev Singh, Kanika Khanna, Jaspreet Kour, Shalini Dhiman, Mohd. Ibrahim, Neerja Sharma, Indu Sharma, Priyanka Sharma, Bilal Ahmad Mir, and Renu Bhardwa. (2023). Signaling Pathways of Gasotransmitters in Heavy Metal Stress Mitigation. In: Gasotransmitters Signaling in Plants under Challenging Environment, Plant in Challenging Environments 5, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43029-9_3. Springer Nature Switzerland
Shalini Dhiman, Kanika Khanna, Pardeep Kumar, Tamanna Bhardwaj, Kamini Devi, Neerja Sharma, Priyanka Sharma, Priya Arora, Nitika Kapoor, Anket Sharma, Renu Bhardwaj (2023). Journal of Plant Growth Regulation https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-023-11138-1
Nitika Kapoor, Sakshi Verma, Nishi Sondhi, Renu Bhardwaj, and Priyanka Sharma (2024). PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) Mediated Heavy Metal Tolerance in Plants. In: PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) for Plant Stress Management Editors: Indu Sharma, Ashutosh Sharma, Renu Bhardwaj. Nova Science Publishers, Nova Publication.
Shalini Dhiman, Arun Dev Singh, Isha Madaan, Raman Tikoria, Driti Kapoor, Priyanka Sharma, Nitika Kapoor, Geetika Sirhindi, Puja Ohri, Renu Bhardwaj (2024). In: Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup. CRC Press.
Priyanka Sharma, Shivaraj S.M., Varsha Arun Mahadik, and Narendra Kadoo. (2024). MicroRNA-Mediated Strategies for Conferring Biotic Stress Tolerance in Plants. DOI: 10.1201/9781003369288-5; Taylor and Francis, CRC Press
Sunita Fernandes, Ayush Bhoj, Pranav Kulkarni, Purva Vaidya, Yogita Ranade1, and Priyanka Sharma1* (2025). Biocontrol Activity of Endophytic Isolates Bacillus safensis and Pseudomonas lactis from Azadirachta indica Against the Pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria in Tomato Plants. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1002/bab.70023

Dr. Priyanka Sharma