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.

Subiya Showkat | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Botany Scientist

Dr. Subiya Showkat | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Bharathidasan University | India

Dr. Subiya Showkat is an emerging researcher in the field of phytochemistry and natural product pharmacology, with a keen focus on the isolation and identification of anticandidal compounds from Himalayan medicinal plants. Her academic foundation, developed through her doctoral research at Bharathidasan University, reflects her dedication to exploring the biochemical potential of natural resources for therapeutic applications. She has developed strong expertise in phytochemical screening, antimicrobial evaluation, computational studies, and toxicity analysis using cell lines, contributing to the growing understanding of plant-based drug discovery. Her work demonstrates the intricate link between ethnobotanical knowledge and modern pharmacological validation, emphasizing the role of Himalayan flora as a reservoir of bioactive compounds with potent antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Dr. Showkat has authored and co-authored several research papers published in reputed indexed journals, where her studies highlight the significance of natural products as alternative sources for the development of safe and effective antifungal agents. Beyond laboratory research, she has actively presented her findings at national and international scientific conferences, contributing to global academic dialogue on medicinal plant research. Her commitment to advancing medicinal chemistry and microbiology is evident in her multidisciplinary approach, combining experimental, analytical, and computational methodologies. With a citation index of 40 and an h-index of 3, she continues to expand her scientific impact and influence in natural product research. Dr. Showkat’s research interests also encompass ethnobotany, microbial bioassay techniques, and structure-based analysis of bioactive molecules, reinforcing her vision to bridge traditional medicine with innovative pharmacological solutions for human health.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications : 

Showkat, S., Dharumadurai, D., & Senthil Kumar, T. (2025). Phytochemical profiling, spectroscopic identification of active compounds, and mechanism of the anticandidal properties of Datura stramonium L. using SwissADMET prediction and molecular docking analysis. Microbial Pathogenesis.

Showkat, S., & Senthil Kumar, T. (2024). Exploring the anticandidal potential: Evaluating leaf extract efficacy and GC–MS metabolite profiling of Chenopodium album var. album L. South African Journal of Botany.