Dr. Susri Nayak: Assistant Professor at Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College, Balasore, India
Dr. Susri Nayak is an accomplished Assistant Professor in Zoology at KKS Women’s College, Balasore, Odisha, with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Ravenshaw University. She specializes in aquatic toxicology, focusing on the effects of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microplastics on freshwater ecosystems. With over a decade of academic and research experience, Dr. Nayak is passionate about advancing knowledge in environmental monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management of aquatic resources. Her work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and innovative biomarker tools to address critical environmental challenges.
Online Profiles
Since 2020, Dr. Susri Nayak’s research has garnered significant recognition, accumulating a total of 191 citations, with 186 citations recorded in the recent years alone. She holds an h-index of 7 and an i10-index of 6, reflecting her consistent contribution to environmental toxicology and aquatic ecology research. These metrics highlight the impact and relevance of her work within the scientific community.
Education
Dr. Nayak completed her undergraduate studies with a First Division and Distinction in Zoology from Utkal University. She pursued her postgraduate education, including M.Sc. and M.Phil., at Ravenshaw University, securing top grades with a focus on environmental biology. Her Ph.D. research involved rigorous experimental studies on the toxic effects of naphthalene—a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon—on the freshwater fish Anabas testudineus. The study was guided by Professor Lipika Patnaik and included comprehensive water quality and biochemical assessments, culminating in a strong foundation for her research career.
Research Focus
Her core research interests encompass aquatic toxicology, environmental pollution monitoring, and ecotoxicological impact assessments on freshwater biota. She specializes in biochemical and histological analyses to evaluate the physiological stress responses of aquatic organisms exposed to heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and microplastics. Dr. Nayak’s work extends to developing water quality indices using bioindicators, investigating nutrient dynamics, and applying advanced techniques like HPLC, FTIR, and fluorescence imaging for microplastics characterization. She aims to contribute to policy development for aquatic ecosystem protection.
Experience
Dr. Nayak has accumulated diverse teaching and research experience across reputed institutions, including Ravenshaw University and KKS Women’s College. Her roles range from Lecturer, Guest Faculty, to Assistant Professor, where she has been involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervising research projects, and coordinating laboratory training sessions. She has also actively contributed to curriculum design and has guided students in research methodologies related to environmental science and zoology.
Research Timeline & Activities
Since 2015, Dr. Nayak has led multiple research initiatives investigating aquatic pollution, particularly focusing on river systems in Odisha. Her research timeline includes extensive field sampling of water and biota, heavy metal and nutrient analysis, enzymatic and histopathological studies, and microplastic pollution assessment. She has secured extramural funding, such as the Odisha State Higher Education Council’s grant for microplastics research. Throughout her career, she has presented at national and international conferences and published over 20 research articles in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Nayak’s academic excellence is reflected in her clearing the highly competitive CSIR-UGC NET and GATE examinations. She was awarded the prestigious Biju Patnaik Research Fellowship and received scholarships from the Government of Odisha for her meritorious performance. Her innovative contribution to ecotoxicology was recognized by a utility model patent registered in Germany for an integrated biomarker response tool designed to assess naphthalene toxicity in fish. She continues to receive accolades for her research contributions and community engagement in environmental education.
Top Noted Publication
One of Dr. Nayak’s landmark publications is the 2025 study titled “First Evidence of Microplastics Burden in Surface Waters of Budhabalanga Estuary, Chandipur, Eastern India” published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. This pioneering research highlights the presence and potential ecological threat of microplastics in an important estuarine ecosystem, shedding light on pollution sources and implications for aquatic biodiversity. The study has garnered significant attention in environmental science circles and serves as a reference for ongoing microplastics research in India and beyond.
Chronic Effects of Diazinon® Exposures Using Integrated Biomarker Responses in Freshwater Walking Catfish, Clarias batrachus
S. Saha, A.V. Chukwuka, D. Mukherjee, L. Patnaik, S. Nayak, K. Dhara, …
Applied Sciences, 11(2), 1-20 (2021) — 66 citationsIntegrated Multi-Biomarker Responses in Mozambique Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus Under Acute and Chronic Diazinon® Exposures
S. Saha, N. Chandra Saha, A. Chatterjee, P. Banerjee, P. Garai, P. Sharma, …
Chemistry and Ecology, 39(3), 235-255 (2023) — 28 citationsMacroinvertebrates and Its Impact in Assessing Water Quality of Riverine System: A Case Study of Mahanadi River, Cuttack, India
I. Ganguly, L. Patnaik, S. Nayak
Journal of Applied & Natural Science, 10(3) (2018) — 17 citationsLipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Levels in Anabas testudineus (Bloch) Under Naphthalene (PAH) Stress
S. Nayak, S.N. Dash, P. Priyadarshini, L. Patnaik
Aquaculture Research (2021) — 15 citationsRole of Integrated Biomarker Response Tool for Assessment of Naphthalene Toxicity in Anabas testudineus
S. Nayak, L. Patnaik
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 106(4), 568-574 (2021) — 12 citations
Strengths for the Best Innovator Award
Pioneering Research on Emerging Pollutants
Dr. Nayak has been at the forefront of investigating emerging environmental threats such as microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Her research not only identifies the presence of these pollutants in sensitive freshwater and estuarine ecosystems but also elucidates their physiological and biochemical impacts on aquatic organisms. This pioneering work fills crucial knowledge gaps and informs sustainable management strategies, positioning her as a key innovator in environmental toxicology.Development of Novel Biomarker Tools
Demonstrating exceptional creativity and scientific ingenuity, Dr. Nayak developed an integrated biomarker response tool for assessing the toxicity of naphthalene in freshwater fish. This novel tool has been patented internationally, highlighting its uniqueness and practical utility. By providing a more comprehensive and sensitive method for detecting pollutant-induced stress, her innovation offers a valuable resource for environmental monitoring agencies and researchers worldwide.Interdisciplinary Methodological Approach
Dr. Nayak’s research integrates diverse scientific disciplines, combining traditional field ecology with cutting-edge analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and fluorescence imaging. This comprehensive approach enables a multi-layered understanding of pollutant behavior and effects, showcasing her ability to innovate by bridging technology with biology for enhanced environmental assessment.Successful Acquisition and Management of Competitive Research Grants
Securing extramural funding, particularly for groundbreaking microplastics research, reflects Dr. Nayak’s exceptional skills in project design, grant writing, and resource management. Her ability to attract and efficiently utilize competitive grants not only underlines the scientific merit of her work but also her leadership and commitment to advancing knowledge with real-world impact.Impactful Publications and Active Community Engagement
With over 20 high-impact research publications that have collectively garnered nearly 200 citations, Dr. Nayak’s work significantly influences both academic circles and environmental policy frameworks. Beyond research, she actively participates in environmental education, community outreach, and capacity-building programs, demonstrating innovation in science communication and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship at the grassroots level.