Sunita VARJANI

Professor at UPES
Dehradun, India &
Adjunct Professor at Korea University

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  • 10+

    YEARS OF
    EXPERIENCE

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About Me Professor


Dr. Sunita Varjani is currently working as a Professor at UPES, Dehradun, India. Additionally, she holds the position as Adjunct Professor at Korea University, Republic of Korea and the Director at the Institute of Chartered Waste Managers, India. She has worked as visiting fellow at the City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Scientific Officer at Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Dr. Varjani is a highly accomplished researcher and collaborator with a strong international and national presence. She has an extensive research background in environmental and industrial biotechnology, bioprocess technology, biomanufacturing and waste management. Her expertise has been recognized through various prestigious appointments and memberships. In 2021, Dr. Varjani was selected as a Member of The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), a testament to her outstanding contributions to the field. Dr. Varjani has actively contributed to research and development initiatives in collaboration with government departments, and research institutions.




She has served as Chairperson/member of technical and financial committee (for instrument procurement) and research advisory committee at Government of Gujarat institutes.Her research endeavors focus on developing innovative process technologies for pollution control, waste management, biomanufacturing, and resource recovery. Dr. Varjani is committed to promoting sustainable practices and advancing the concepts of circular bioeconomy. Her work has been recognized through various accolades, including being listed as a “Highly Cited Researchers 2022” (Top 1% in the World”, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000) published by Clarivate’s Web of Science. She has been enlisted as a Highly Cited Researcher (Top 2% in the World), Elsevier Citation Report (2020-Contiune). In addition to her research achievements, Dr. Varjani holds editorial positions in several scientific journals. She serves as the executive editor of the Archives of Microbiology journal and is a senior editor for the Sustainable Environment journal. Furthermore, she is an editor for the Indian Journal of Microbiology, an associate editor for the Spanish Journal of Soil Science, and holds positions on the editorial boards of Current Pollution Reports, Sustainable Chemistry, and Pharmacy. Dr. Varjani's impressive track record, extensive collaborations, and commitment to sustainable research make her a prominent figure in the field of environmental and industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing.


ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH POSITIONS



Professor (School of Engineering jointly with SoHST)
UPES, Dehradun, India
March 2025 - Present
Sr. Associate Professor (School of Engineering jointly with SoHST)
UPES, Dehradun, India
Feb 2024 - Feb 2025
Adjunct Professor, Korea University,
Seoul, Republic of Korea
2024-Present
Director
Institute of Chartered Waste Managers,

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2023-Present
Adjunct Professor,
UPES, Dehradun, India
2023-2024
Visiting Fellow (School of Energy and Environment)
City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2023-2024
Technical Assessor, National Accreditation Board For Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL),
India
2022-Present
Next to Unit Head
Municipal Solid Waste Unit,

Head Office, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
2020-2022
Research Advisory Committee Member,
Research & Development Cell,
Head office, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
2020-2022
Next to Unit Head and Mentor of PhD Students
Research & Development Cell,
Head office, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
2020-2022
Technical Manager- Biology Scope (NABL),
Central Laboratory, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
2017-2020
Visiting Scientist
EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
Nov 2017
Scientific Officer
Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
2015-2023
Assistant Professor
School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology
University of IAR, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
June 2015-August 2015
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RESEARCH INTEREST

Our research group focuses on the following areas, with a strong emphasis on water, energy, environmental nexus, and resilience:



Research Areas:

  • 1. Waste Management and Sustainability
  • 2. Bioprocess Technology
  • 3. Biomanufacturing
  • 4. Environmental and Industrial (Bio)technology

Specific research interests include:

  • 1. Pollution control and abatement
  • 2. Resource recovery from wastes
  • 3. Development of biobased products
  • 4. Wastewater treatment
  • 5. Process engineering
  • 6. Advancements in process technology
  • 7. Effective waste management strategies
  • 8. Water-Energy Nexus and its Implications for Sustainability
  • 9. Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation Strategies
  • 10. Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development Goals

Our team of dedicated researchers is committed to addressing the challenges in these fields and creating sustainable solutions for a better future. By exploring the intersection of water, energy, and the environment, we aim to contribute to the resilience and well-being of society, while promoting the principles of waste biorefinery, circular bioeconomy, and sustainable development goals.

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RECENT UPDATES

Journals

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Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons
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Synergistic ex­situ biodegradation of crude oil by halotolerant bacterial consortium of indigenous strains isolated from on shore sites of Gujarat, India
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Nexus of food waste and climate change framework: Unravelling the links between impacts, projections, and emissions
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Bioremediation of oily sludge polluted soil employing a novel strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and phytotoxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons for seed germination
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Metabolic cascade for remediation of plastic waste: A case study on microplastic degradation
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Books

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Waste management in Climate Change and Sustainability Perspectives: Organic and Medical Waste,
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Circular Bioeconomy: Technologies for Waste Remediation
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Circular Bioeconomy: Technologies for Biofuels and Biochemicals
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Resource recovery from wastes
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Bioremediation: Applications for Environmental Protection and Management
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

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