Sanjit Debnath, Agriculture, Best Innovator Award

Dr. Sanjit Debnath: Lecturer at Rabindranath Thakur Mahavidyalaya, India

Dr. Sanjit Debnath is an accomplished researcher and educator with a robust background in Mycology and Plant Pathology. He holds a Ph.D. in Botany from Tripura University, where his research focused on the nutritional, medicinal, and antimicrobial properties of wild edible mushrooms found in the Northeast of India. Dr. Debnath’s academic and research work bridges the gap between basic biological sciences and applied biotechnology, specifically in sustainable mushroom cultivation, fungal diversity, and microbial roles in agriculture. His expertise is well recognized through various national and international collaborations, including 37 published works and the prestigious SITARE-GYTI Appreciation Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology. In addition to his research, Dr. Debnath has over nine years of experience in teaching, mentoring students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and contributing to academic development in various universities and colleges across Tripura, India.

Online Profiles

Dr. Debnath is also active on platforms like ResearchGate and Google Scholar, where his research impact can be further explored. You can connect with him for academic inquiries, collaborations, or consulting on research projects related to mycology, botany, or agriculture.

Dr. Debnath has 37 published works, including 28 research articles, 7 review articles, and 2 book chapters. His research is well-recognized in the academic community, as evidenced by his 236 citations on Google Scholar and 218 citations on ResearchGate. His h-index stands at 10 (Google Scholar) and 9 (ResearchGate), highlighting the significant impact of his work. Additionally, his i10-index is 10 on Google Scholar and 8 on ResearchGate. These metrics demonstrate the growing influence and relevance of Dr. Debnath’s contributions in the fields of mycology, plant pathology, and agricultural biotechnology.

Education

Dr. Debnath’s academic journey is characterized by dedication to botanical sciences, specifically Mycology and Plant Pathology. He completed his B.Sc. in Botany from Tripura University in 2011, followed by an M.Sc. in Botany with a specialization in Mycology and Plant Pathology in 2013. His Ph.D. was awarded in 2020 after extensive research on wild edible mushrooms found in the Northeast region of India. His doctoral thesis focused on nutritional and medicinal properties of these mushrooms, aiming to develop sustainable cultivation protocols and highlight their potential for local healthcare and nutrition. Through his academic tenure, he has been awarded several scholarships and grants for research and training, including prestigious fellowships for his projects on mushroom biology and plant-pathogen interactions.

Research Focus

Dr. Debnath’s primary research interests lie in the interdisciplinary fields of Mycology, Plant Pathology, and Microbial Ecology. His major focus is on the identification, characterization, and cultivation of wild edible mushrooms, particularly those native to the Tripura region, where he investigates their nutritional, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. His research aims to not only uncover the biochemical and pharmacological potential of these fungi but also to contribute to sustainable agriculture by developing viable cultivation protocols for wild mushrooms. Additionally, he is interested in understanding the role of microbial endophytes and mycorrhiza in plant growth and disease resistance. Through his work, Dr. Debnath seeks to blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern biotechnology for addressing both environmental sustainability and human health.

Experience

Dr. Debnath has accumulated over nine years of experience in both research and teaching across various prestigious institutions. He served as a Guest Lecturer at Tripura University for five years, where he taught core subjects in Botany and mentored students on research projects. His guest lectureships at various colleges across Tripura, including MBB College, Swami Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya, and Rabindranath Thakur Mahavidyalaya, have contributed to his strong foundation in curriculum development, practical training, and student mentorship. Dr. Debnath has also actively participated in the administration and coordination of research labs, offering training on mushroom cultivation and plant health management. His broad teaching experience, coupled with his research expertise, makes him well-equipped to impart advanced knowledge in botanical sciences and related fields.

Research Timeline & Activities

Dr. Debnath’s research journey began in 2013 at the State Biotech Hub, Tripura University, where he undertook a traineeship on biotechnological applications in agriculture. Following that, he worked as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and later as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) at Tripura University, where he investigated the cultivation and bioactive properties of wild edible mushrooms from Tripura’s forests. Over the years, he has expanded his research to include projects on microbial roles in rice yield management and genomic mapping of MDR-TB hotspots across Tripura, Assam, and Sikkim. His research has garnered national attention, and he has submitted multiple funded project proposals, such as those to BIRAC and the Tripura Biodiversity Board.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Debnath’s groundbreaking research on wild edible mushrooms has earned him the prestigious SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Appreciation Award in 2020. This award was conferred by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, India’s Union Minister for Science & Technology, in recognition of his significant contributions to bio-resources and biotechnology. He was also acknowledged for his efforts in developing sustainable cultivation techniques for wild mushrooms, which hold great promise for improving food security and rural livelihoods in Northeast India. Additionally, his research has been recognized by multiple academic and professional organizations, making him an influential figure in the field of agriculture science.

Recent Publications

Dr. Debnath has an extensive publication record with 37 peer-reviewed works, including 28 research articles, 7 review articles, and 2 book chapters. Some of his recent publications focus on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of indigenous mushrooms from Tripura and biochemical analyses of medicinal fungi. His works have appeared in prominent journals like Journal of Phytopathology, Vegetos, and International Journal of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Debnath’s publications, many of which have been cited over 200 times, reflect his ongoing commitment to advancing mycological research, with an emphasis on biological activity, mushroom cultivation, and plant-microbe interactions.

  • Documentation of vegetation with utilitarian aspects from Harishnagar village, Sepahijala District, Tripura, India
    S. Debnath, S. Bardhan, R. Majumdar, S. Bhattacharya
    Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 13(2), 45-49, 2025.

  • A Comparative Approach on the Effects of Organic Wastes for the Cultivation of Wild Edible Mushrooms along with Various Substrate Compositions
    R. Saha, K.K. Pandey, S. Debnath, P. Debbarma, A.K. Saha
    Fungal Biotec, 4(1), 75-110, 2024.

  • Spectrum of Bacterial Isolates and Their Antibiogram in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Tertiary Care Hospital as a Part of Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) Surveillance
    J. Deb, S. Debnath, S. Bhattacharya, T. Majumdar
    Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, 60(3), 190-196, 2024.

  • Comparative Contemplation on the Growth, Productivity, and Biological Efficiency of Pleurotus florida Cultivated on Agro-Industrial Waste
    R. Saha, K.K. Pandey, S. Debnath, K. Chakraborty, P. Das, et al.
    Journal of Mycopathological Research, 61(1), 85-89, 2023.

  • Allelopathic Potential of Weed Extracts on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vigna radiata L. Wilzek and Vigna mungo L.
    S. Bhattacharya, T. Saha, S. Debnath, A.K. Saha
    International Journal of Life Sciences Research, 10(2), 13-20, 2022.