Our laboratory "Applied Phycology and Food Technology" primarily focuses on developing functional food products and processes for combating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and protein energy malnutrition (PEM) with a strong mandate of societal integration of the processes/technologies, industry collaboration and product commercialization. 

The three major research areas focused by our group are 

Bioprospection of microalgae for development of nutraceuticals and functional foods

1. Characterization of novel functional proteins, lipids and pigments from microalgae  

2. Development of scalable processes for industrial production of microalgae derived nutraceuticals 

3. Formulation of microalgae derievd fucntional foods and their bioefficay validation in animal models 

Biorefinery based valorization of microalgae biomass for multiple value-added products (food, feet and fertilizers)

Development of biorefinery processes for production of multiple products from microlgae - protein meal, biostimulants, feed concentrates 

Valorization of Himalayan edible resources for development of nutraceuticals and functional foods

1. Nutritional and phytochemical characterization of Himalayan bioresources 

2. Validation of traditional knowledge and bioefficacy validation in animal models

3. Development of commercial scale processes for production of nutraceuticals and functional foods

2008 CSIR Junior & Senior Research Fellow for carrying out PhD

2014 Awarded with International Travel Grant by DST-SERB to present research paper at 5th Congress of International Society of Applied Phycology (ISAP) at Sydney, Australia

2024 - Awarded with International Travel Grant by CSIR to present research paper at 8th Congress of International Society of Applied Phycology (ISAP) at Porto, Portugal

2024 - Launched Mission Bharpoor, A special Nutrition Supplementation program for malnourished children in collaboration with District Administration, Kangra (Beneficiaries - 1000 children)

2025- Launched Mission Jeevan Uphaar, A special Nutrition Supplementation program for malnourished children in collaboration with District Administration, Chamba (Beneficiaries - 6000 children)

2026 - Nominated as Expert/Technical Consultant for the formulation of Himachal Pradesh State Nutritional Policy

    V.S. Chauhan, A. Kumudha, G.V. Swarnalatha, M.D. Kavitha, S. Vidyashankar, G.A. Ravishankar, R. Sarada. A composition and method to control rotifer infestation in microalgal culture system. (1787/DEL/2012), India, filed on 11^th June 2012.

Technical Staff

Dr. Ravindra Kumar (Himalayan bioresource mapping and Plant taxonomy and Species authentication)

Research Scholars

1. Mr. Raman Kumar, ICMR-SRF (Microalgae functional food for combating anemia and protein deficiency)

2. Ms. Priyanka Parmar (Microalgae dervied biostimulants)

3. Mr. Athrinandan S Hegde (Himalayan Edible flowers as source of nutraceuticals)

4. Mrs. Smriti Gupta (Himalayan Green Leafy Vegetables for combating micronutrient deficiencies)

5. Ms. Neha, CSIR-SRF (Microalage derived proteins and pigments and spent valorization)

6. Ms. Aditi Guleria (Valorization of agri-residues for alternative proteins)

7. Mr. Priyanshu Sharma (Valorization of millets for combating micronutrient deficiencies)

Project Associates

1. Mr. Prajwal Jakhmola (Microalgae dervied biostimulants)

2. Mrs. Baita Kaundal (Mushroom cultivation and Societal integration)

3. Ms. Aakriti Sood (Nutritional and phytochemical characterization of Himalayan bioresources)

4. Mr. Karan Saini (Understanding the bioavailability of protein in millets/pulses)

5. Ms. Parul Bhardwaj (Functional food development from millets)

6. Ms. Akanksha Parashar (Nutritional and phytochemical characterization of Himalayan bioresources)

7. Mr. Amit Raj (Pilot scale processing and food product development)