Dr. Lipismita Samal: Assistant Professor, Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Dr. Lipismita Samal is a dedicated academician and researcher currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Poultry Science at the College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar. With over 13 years of professional experience in veterinary and animal sciences, she has built a strong reputation in the fields of animal nutrition, indigenous poultry conservation, and rural poultry enterprise development. Her work bridges both research and field implementation, focusing on sustainable livestock and poultry-based livelihood interventions. A keen advocate for tribal empowerment and biodiversity conservation, Dr. Samal integrates community-based models and policy-level insights into her projects. Her multidisciplinary expertise spans nutritional biotechnology, feed additive innovation, molecular diagnostics, and poultry genetics, earning her numerous accolades and a robust national and international academic footprint.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Samal’s academic journey is rooted in excellence, beginning with her B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree from OUAT, Bhubaneswar, where she graduated with honors (80.4%). She went on to earn her M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, one of the country’s premier research institutions, securing the top rank and achieving distinction with an impressive 85.9% in her postgraduate studies. Her doctoral research focused on rumen microbial manipulation for methane mitigation using plant bioactives—an area of significant importance in climate-resilient livestock farming. In addition to her veterinary qualifications, she also holds a Diploma in Computer Applications, highlighting her digital adaptability and data analysis skills. Her solid academic background has laid the foundation for her impactful contributions in both teaching and research.
Research Focus
Dr. Samal’s research encompasses a wide array of themes central to sustainable animal production. Her core interests lie in animal nutrition—particularly in the exploration of feed additives like phytochemicals, probiotics, and prebiotics for enhancing animal health and productivity. She is deeply involved in the conservation and improvement of indigenous poultry breeds, focusing on genetic characterization, crossbreeding strategies, and nutrition optimization to suit rural and tribal environments. Her recent work has integrated climate-smart agriculture concepts by targeting methane mitigation through rumen manipulation using plant secondary metabolites. Furthermore, she has contributed to diagnostic research on avian respiratory viruses, including NDV and ILT, in collaboration with international partners. Her projects emphasize a multidisciplinary and participatory approach, integrating farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers in every stage of innovation.
Experience
Over the past 13 years, Dr. Samal has cultivated a balanced portfolio of academic, research, and extension activities. After an initial stint as a Junior Veterinary Officer under the Government of Odisha, she transitioned to OUAT, where she now serves as Assistant Professor in Poultry Science. She has mentored over 15 M.V.Sc. students and co-guided Ph.D. scholars across diverse domains, including animal nutrition, backyard poultry development, and molecular virology. Her teaching and training initiatives span rural poultry entrepreneurship, functional feed formulation, and breed conservation strategies, impacting thousands of students and farmers. Dr. Samal has played pivotal roles in national and international projects funded by DBT, ICAR, DTRA-USA, and OMBADC, among others. She also serves as a Master Trainer under DAY-NRLM and the Skill India Mission, enhancing capacities in tribal districts of Odisha and beyond.
Research Timeline & Activities
Dr. Samal’s research timeline reflects a progressive deepening of her thematic expertise and interdisciplinary collaborations. During her postgraduate and doctoral work at IVRI, she investigated the role of dietary phytochemicals in rumen ecology and greenhouse gas mitigation. Upon joining OUAT, she led and contributed to DBT-funded programs on backyard poultry development and disease surveillance, targeting respiratory pathogens in poultry through molecular diagnostics. Her involvement in the National Surveillance Program for Avian Influenza and DTRA-USA-sponsored projects added global dimensions to her work. From 2012 to the present, she has designed and implemented community poultry programs across Odisha’s tribal belts, contributing to breed registration (Hansli) and crossbred strain development (Hansli × CSML, CSFL, Kaveri). Her research activities have also resulted in the formulation of user-friendly poultry ration calculators, farmer handbooks, and mobile training modules, facilitating tech-driven extension.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Samal has been the recipient of more than 30 prestigious awards recognizing her scholarly excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Notable honors include the Dr. S.K. Talpatra Gold Medal from IVRI for academic distinction, the Best Woman Scientist Award of OUAT in both 2021 and 2024, and the nationally reputed Vet Icon Award 2024. She is a Fellow of the Young Academy of India and has received the Young Scientist Award from several professional societies. Her contributions have also been acknowledged by ICAR, NABARD, and national poultry bodies for her work in backyard poultry innovation. In addition, she has received multiple best paper, oral presentation, and poster awards at both national and international conferences. These accolades reflect her dual commitment to academic rigor and ground-level impact in the livestock sector.
Top Noted Publication
Among her 47 peer-reviewed research articles, one of her most cited and influential publications is her study on the “Prebiotic potential of Jerusalem artichoke and its influence on gut microflora and performance in laboratory animals”, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. This paper has garnered international recognition for its novel insights into functional feed additives. Other prominent works include her research on rumen microbial manipulation for methane mitigation, molecular detection of NDV in tribal poultry, and genetic studies of the Hansli breed. She has also authored 51 popular/review articles, 20 book chapters, and has been a key contributor to extension bulletins, training manuals, and farmer-oriented literature. Her research contributions extend globally, with participation in scientific conferences and workshops held in Bangkok and Paris, highlighting the international relevance of her work.
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Design, Development and Performance Evaluation of a Portable Battery-Operated Litter Agitator Installed with AI-Controlled Obstacle-Avoidance Robot with Sensors
Agricultural Research, September 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s40003-024-00776-w
Contributors: Rohit B. Gaddamwar, Ajaya K. Dash, Debaraj Behera, Sangram K. Swain, Lipismita Samal, Susant K. Dash
→ Focus: AI-integrated robotics in poultry litter management for improved bird welfare and automation. -
Influence of Histology and Histomorphometry of Thigh Muscles on Thermal Stress-Related Physiological and Plasma Hormonal Responses in Three Broiler Strains
Agricultural Research, September 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s40003-024-00780-0
Contributors: Haresh K. Popalghat, Nrusingha C. Behura, Lipismita Samal, Niranjan Sahoo, Umakanta Mishra, Susanta K. Dash, Abhijeet Champati, Soubhagya Muduli
→ Focus: Correlation of muscle structure with thermal stress adaptation in broiler chickens. -
Feed and Nutrient Utilization Efficiency and Juvenile Traits of Vezaguda Chicken of Odisha in Floor Rearing System
The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, December 2022
DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v92i12.102484
Contributors: A.L. Patra, L. Samal, N.C. Behura, N. Sahoo, D.P. Das, A. Champati, S. Muduli, H.K. Popalghat
→ Focus: Performance metrics of indigenous Vezaguda chickens under semi-intensive systems. -
Growth Performance, Feed Utilization Efficiency and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Nusuri Chicken Population of Odisha in Floor Rearing System
The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, August 2022
DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v92i8.102495
Contributors: N.B. Mohanta, L. Samal, N.C. Behura, P.K. Pati, A. Maity, J. Bagh
→ Focus: Evaluation of feed efficiency and blood profiles of the lesser-known Nusuri chicken breed.
Strengths for the Best Innovator Award
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Integration of Technology in Rural Livestock Systems
Dr. Samal has successfully bridged traditional livestock practices with modern technological innovations. Her co-authored work on the AI-enabled, battery-operated litter agitator robot exemplifies how smart automation can enhance poultry welfare, reduce labor, and boost biosecurity in resource-limited settings. This demonstrates her ability to localize high-tech interventions for scalable field application. -
Pioneering Work in Indigenous Poultry Breed Conservation
She has led groundbreaking efforts in conserving and improving Odisha’s native poultry breeds like Hansli and Nusuri. Through genetic characterization, performance evaluation, and crossbreeding strategies (e.g., Hansli × CSML), her work supports biodiversity preservation while strengthening food and livelihood security among tribal communities. -
Innovation in Climate-Resilient Animal Nutrition
Dr. Samal’s research on rumen microbial manipulation using plant secondary metabolites, prebiotics like Jerusalem artichoke, and functional feed additives highlights her innovative approach to mitigating methane emissions and improving gut health. These contributions align closely with global sustainability goals and the urgent need for climate-smart livestock practices. -
Farmer-Centric Tool Development and Extension Innovation
Going beyond laboratory research, she has developed user-friendly poultry ration calculators, mobile training modules, and practical farmer manuals. These tools empower rural producers with accessible, science-based decision-making support—exemplifying her commitment to innovation with direct societal impact. -
Multidisciplinary and Policy-Linked Project Leadership
Dr. Samal has shown leadership in high-impact projects funded by DBT, ICAR, NABARD, and international agencies like DTRA-USA. Her participatory research model integrates policy-level insights, gender empowerment, and tribal development goals—making her a standout example of how innovation can drive inclusive growth in the livestock sector.