Namita Khantwal | Phytochemistry | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Botany Scientist

Dr. Namita Khantwal | Phytochemistry | Young Scientist Award

Project Associate at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | India

Dr. Namita Khantwal is a botanist and plant biochemist specializing in phytochemistry, plant secondary metabolites, and bioactivity assessment, holding a doctoral degree in Botany from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, where her research explored the phytochemical diversity, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial potential of Aesculus indica across varying altitudinal gradients of the Garhwal Himalaya; she currently works as a Project Associate at the High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre on a Department of Science and Technology–sponsored project investigating socio-ecological vulnerabilities and community responses in climate-sensitive Himalayan ecosystems, demonstrating strong expertise in phytocompound and essential-oil extraction, GC-MS analysis, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, antioxidant assays including DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, and antibacterial testing through agar well diffusion, MIC, and MBC methodologies; her research background includes detailed palynological studies on allergenic taxa, extensive laboratory work on medicinal plants, and a deep interest in metabolomic profiling, environmental influences on plant biochemical pathways, essential-oil characterization, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern biotechnological approaches for Himalayan flora conservation; she has authored multiple research and review papers on phytochemistry, chemodiversity, nutraceutical potential, and bioactivity of Himalayan plant species, contributed to national and international conferences through oral and poster presentations, received recognition for scientific communication, and served as an invited reviewer for reputed journals, while professionally handling a wide range of laboratory instruments, participating in workshops on IPR and nutraceutical formulation, and maintaining a strong commitment to advancing research in plant biochemistry, medicinal plant biodiversity, and ecological resilience in mountain environments.

Profile : Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications : 

Khantwal, N., Asha, & Kumar, A. (n.d.). Variation in secondary metabolite content in Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. leaves along the altitudinal gradient in Indian Central Himalaya. Vegetos, 38(1), 111–120.

Khantwal, N., & Sharma, C. M. (n.d.). Influence of different altitudes on antibacterial potential of Aesculus indica crude extracts against multidrug-resistant strain Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biochemical & Cellular Archives, 24(1).

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., & Ranout, A. S. (n.d.). Phytochemistry, nutraceutical potential, and metabolomic insights into Aesculus indica: Bridging traditional uses with modern applications. Natural Product Research, 1–20.

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., & Gairola, S. (n.d.). Antibacterial and antioxidant potential of Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. leaf extracts along an altitudinal gradient in the Garhwal Himalaya. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 123, Article 105064.

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., Gairola, S., & Jugran, A. K. (n.d.). Antibacterial, antioxidant potential, and chemodiversity of Aesculus indica bark extracts along the Garhwal Himalayan altitudinal gradient. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e02216.

Yemene Valaire Matieta | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Botany Scientist

Mr. Yemene Valaire Matieta | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

PhD Students at University of Dschang | Cameroon

Mr. Yemene Valaire Matieta is a dedicated Cameroonian postgraduate researcher in the Research Unit of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, Department of Biochemistry, Dschang School of Science and Technology, University of Dschang, Cameroon. He holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry (Pharmacology) from the University of Dschang, where he graduated with distinction and was recognized as the valedictorian of his promotion. His academic journey and research endeavors are deeply rooted in biochemical pharmacology, natural product chemistry, and antimicrobial studies. Matieta has demonstrated strong expertise in setting up and managing microbiology research units and toxicity evaluation laboratories. His scientific focus lies in antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiation activities of plant-derived compounds, phytochemical profiling, efflux pump inhibition, and the evaluation of cytotoxic, acute, and sub-chronic toxicities of medicinal plant extracts. Proficient in advanced techniques such as plant extraction, phytochemical screening, antibiogram, microdilution methods, HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling, and biochemical assays, he has contributed significantly to the understanding of multidrug-resistant pathogens and the synergistic effects of natural products with conventional antibiotics. Matieta has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed papers in reputed journals including Journal of Ethnopharmacology, PLOS ONE, Investigational Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, and Natural Product Research, working alongside renowned scholars like Professors Victor Kuete and Armelle Mbaveng. His master’s research on the anti-Klebsiella activity of methanolic extracts of Cameroonian food plants demonstrated his innovative approach toward combating antibiotic resistance. Recognized for academic excellence, he has received distinctions such as the Pharmacology Best Researcher Award and the TWAS-DBT Postgraduate Fellowship, in addition to being named best schoolteacher at the Jackson Group repetition class. Fluent in French and proficient in English, Matieta represents the new generation of African researchers committed to advancing biomedical sciences through natural product research and pharmacological innovation.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications : 

Matieta, V. Y., (2025). Enhancing tetracycline, ceftazidime, and amoxicillin efficacy with hydroethanolic extracts of Mammea africana (Calophyllaceae) and Baillonella toxisperma (Sapotaceae) against clinically relevant drug-resistant enteric bacteria. Pharmacological Research Natural Products.