Natural Product Inspired Scaffolds Applications in Tissue Engineering

Dr. Mohit Kumar is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Institute of Engineering, Gharaun, Mohali. He completed his graduation (B. Tech) from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (spl. Welding and Fabrication) from Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET, Deemed University) and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering (polymer composites) from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. In overall, he has secured 18+ lakhs INR fellowship (till march 2021) since 2014 that include MHRD fellowship in M. Tech and DAE-BRNS, BARC fellowship in sponsored project. He has secured Gold medal for his academic excellence in M.Tech. He has published over 14 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters (Research article – 12, Book Chapter – 2) in reputed international/national journals and books. Additionally, he is the editorial review board member of two international journals. His research activities have focussed on mechanical characterizations of polymer composite materials, the aging of FRP composites, and FEM. At present, his area of interest is on the natural composites derived from the natural polymers having application area in Tissue Engineering.

Dr. Deepika Kathuria is an Assistant Professor at University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab, India. She completed her masters in pharmaceuticals and Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences from National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, India. She has published over 19 peer-reviewed papers in reputed international journals. She has various honors/Fellowship/Awards to her credit i.e. Award of INSPIRE fellowship (JRF) from DST, Award of INSPIRE fellowship (SRF) from DST, Bristol-Mayer Squibb fellowship (Merit-cum-topper scholarship during M.Pharm), Newton Bhabha Placement, DST-exchange programme. She does research in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Natural Products, CADD. She has an exposure of medicinal plants, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals and thus she can bring together this multidisciplinary topic in an informative way.

Dr. Ajay Sharma is a Natural Product Chemist with strong Organic Chemistry, Photochemistry, Biochemistry, and Ethnobotany background. Presently, he is working as an Assistant Professor at the University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India. He completed his Graduation (B.Sc. Medical) from Govt. College Hoshiarpur (affiliated to Panjab University, Chandigarh), Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry (Natural Products) from Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana and his PhD (Organic Chemistry – Natural product) from SLIET (Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Deemed University) Punjab. He has published over 45 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters in reputed international/national journals and books. Presently, his five edited book are under production in different international publications. He has various honors/Fellowship/Awards to his credit i.e. Role of honor from PAU Ludhiana (2011), Merit-cum-topper scholarship during M.Sc. (PAU Ludhiana) (2009-10), MHRD fellowship Award for Ph.D (2012), Award of INSPIRE fellowship (JRF, 2013) from DST, Award of INSPIRE fellowship (SRF, 2015) from DST, 1st Prize in Poster Award at National Conference (NICS-2016) and Best Poster Award in (TSFS-2016). He does research in Organic Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Photochemistry, Food Chemistry. His research activities have focused on isolation and characterization of bioactive extracts from traditional medicinal plants and evaluation of their biological potential. Currently, his research group at Chandigarh University is investigating the field of more environmentally friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles and carbon nanodots using plant extracts/plant-based biomass followed by assessing their biological, catalytic, and sensing potential. Till date, he has successfully guided six M.Sc. dissertation students.