Dr. Bandana Kullu

Academic Qualifications

• CSIR-JRF, School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University (2009-2011)

• Diversity of Life
• Diversity of Vascular Plants
• Plant taxonomy
• Ecology and Evolution
• Conservation Biology
• Plant Physiology and Developmental Biology (Allied Elective)
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Research Methodology
• Techniques in Plant Science.

List of Journal Articles Publications

• Tripathy, A. and Kullu, B. (2026) Phytoremediation of Al, Cr and Pb from bauxite mine soil by native rhizobacteria inoculated Crotalaria juncea L.
  International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences (Accepted)
• Tripathy, A. and Kullu, B. (2025) Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation alleviates Zn toxicity in Triticum aestivum L. by improving biochemical response, antioxidative defense, and nutrient uptake.
  Vegetos.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-025-01612-4
• Tripathy, A., Paramita, S. and Kullu, B. (2025) Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria inoculation on morpho-physiology of Cicer arietinum L. grown under phosphorus and iron deficiency in hydroponics.
  Plant Science Research 47 (1&2): 59–69.
• Sahoo, M. and Kullu B. (2025) Claroideoglomus claroideum inoculation improves bio-hardening of micropropagated G9 banana by modulating antioxidative response, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency.
  Discover Plants 2:110.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00194-4
• Panda B., Tripathy A., Patra S., Kullu B., Tabrez S., Jena M. (2024) Imperative connotation of SODs in cancer: Emerging targets and multifactorial role of action.
  IUBMB Life.
  https://doi.org/10.1002/iub.2821
• Mallick, M. and Kullu, B. (2023) Morphobiochemical response of hydroponically grown Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea) to hexavalent chromium stress and AMF Claroideoglomus claroideum inoculation.
  Plant Science Research 45 (1 & 2): 127–132.
• Sethy, R. and Kullu, B. (2022) Micropropagation of ethnomedicinal plant Calotropis sp. and enhanced production of stigmasterol.
  Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 149:147–158.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-02231-6
• Pradhan, A., Subudhi, H.N. and Kullu, B. (2020) A preliminary floristic survey of Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India.
  Flora and Fauna 26(2):231–242.
  https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v26i2pp231-242
• Kullu, B., Patra, D.K., Acharya, S., Pradhan, C. and Patra H.K. (2020) The roles of AM fungi on morpho-physiological parameters and chromium bioaccumulation in Brachiaria mutica grown in chromium contaminated soil – a mycorrhizal phytoremediation approach.
  Chemosphere 258:127337.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127337
• Sahoo, M. and Kullu B. (2020) Optimization of in vitro root organ culture and co-culture of AM fungi Claroideoglomus claroideum.
  Plant Science Research 42 (1&2): 10–20.
• Sethy, R. and Kullu, B. (2020) Comparative phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Calotropis spp. of ethnomedicinal significance.
  International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 11(7):3243–3251.
• Panigrahy, D., Sahoo, M. and Kullu, B. (2019) Effect of AM Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation on growth and physiology of Eleusine coracana grown under Zn stress.
  Plant Science Research 41(1&2):12–19.
• Kullu, B. and Behera, N. (2016) Soil microbial enzyme activities in different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation.
  Plant Science Research 38(1 & 2): 19–22.
• Kullu, B. and Behera, N. (2016) A Study of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) Root Colonization in the Herbaceous Vegetation of Different Age Series Sponge Iron Solid Waste Dumps.
  International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 5(10): 968–979.
• Kullu, B. and Behera, N. (2015) Physico-chemical characterization of different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation.
  International Journal of Environmental Sciences 5(6): 881–889.
• Kullu, B. and Behera, N. (2012) Status and diversity of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza in different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation.
  The Bioscan 7(3): 539–542.
• Kullu, B. and Behera, N. (2011) Vegetational succession on different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to top soil application.
  Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences 3(1): 38–45.

Book Chapter

• Hansda, P.H. & Kullu, B. (2019) Effects of Cadmium Induced Stress on Growth, Biochemical Parameters and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Root Association of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek.
  In: Bioprospecting in Life Sciences (R.K. Behera & E. Kariali Eds), Narosa Publishing House.
  ISBN: 978-81-8487-651-2, Chapter 4, pp. 1–12.

• Ph.D. Guidance- Awarded: 02, Thesis Submitted: 02, Continuing: 03
• M. Phil Guidance – Awarded: 15

• Prevalence antibiotic resistant Coli form bacteria in drinking water samples from slum areas of Bhubaneswar. Dr. B. Kullu (PI), Funding agency: Utkal University (Seed Grant), Duration: 2 years (2016-18), Amount Received: Rs. 1 Lakh (Completed)
• Axenic culture of Claroideoglomus claroideum and its application on micro-propagated plants. Dr. B. Kullu (PI), Funding agency: DST, Govt. of Odisha, Duration: 3 years (2018-22), Amount Sanctioned: Rs. 9.16 Lakhs (Completed)

• Poster presentation on the topic “Modulation of morpho-physiology and metal uptake in Crotalaria juncea L. from bauxite mine soil by native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)” at the 48th Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society & National Conference on “Advances in medicinal plant research and innovation (AMPRI-2026)” held during 1st and 2nd February, 2026 at Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Poster presentation on the topic “AMF Claroideoglomus claroideum improves antioxidative enzyme activities, photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient uptake of micropropagated G9 banana” in “National Seminar on Plants and Microbes for Sustainable Environment” held during 26th-27th March 2025 at P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Poster presentation on the topic “Assessing the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on mitigating hexavalent chromium toxicity in Cicer arientinum L.” in “National Seminar on Recent Advances in Plant Sciences for Sustainable Development” held on 30th March 2024 at P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Poster presentation on the topic “Ethno-medicinal knowledge among tribal communities inhabiting in Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India” in 46th annual conference of Orissa Botanical Society and “National Seminar on Medicinal and Aromatic plants: Traditional knowledge and current research” held on 17th -18th December, 2023 organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Dhenkanal Autonomous College, Dhenkanal, Odisha.
• Oral presentation on the topic “Morphophysiological response of medicinal plant Artimisia vulgaris L. to salt stress and AMF Rhizopahgus irregularis inoculation” in National Conference on “Recent Trends in Biosciences, Biotechnology and bioinformatics” held on 21st and 22nd November, 2023 at P. G. Department of Botany, Berhampur University.
• Poster presentation on the topic “Interactive effect of AMF and PGPR inoculation to counteract heavy metal toxicity in plants” in 45th annual conference of Orissa Botanical Society and “National Seminar on Biotechnological approaches for mitigation of climate change” held on December 10-11, 2022 organized by Udayanath College of Science and Technology, Adaspur, Cuttack, Odisha.
• Oral presentation on the topic “Enhance production of Stigmasterol through micropropagation of ethnomedicinal plant Calotropis sp.” in International Conference on “Biotechnology and Bioinformatics: Perspective and Challenges” held on 8th-9th December, 2022 (blended mode) organized by Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada.
• Oral presentation on the topic “In vitro propagation of Calotropis procera and C. gigantea: ethnomedicinally significant plants” in Assam Botany Congress (ABC-02) and International Conference on Plant Science held on 3-5 December, 2021 (blended mode) at Cachar College, Silchar, Assam.
• Oral Presentation on “Changes in growth and physiology of Vigna radiate L. in association with arbuscular mycorrhiza under Manganese (Mn) stress” in National Conference on Recent Advances in Plant Sciences, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics-2020 organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Berhampur University from 17th to 18th February 2020.
• Poster presentation on “Physiology of Vigna radiate L. in association with AM Rhizophagus irregularis growing under Manganese (Mn) stress” in National Seminar on Green Technology for Environment Management & 44th Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society organized by Department of Botany, North Orissa University from 22nd to 23rd January 2020.
• Oral Presentation on “Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation on growth and biochemical parameters of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. under different concentrations of Zinc” in National Conference on Recent Advances in Biological Sciences, organized by School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Odisha from 3rd to 4th April 2019.
• Invited talk on “Effect of Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation on growth & biochemical parameters of Triticum aestivum under different concentration of Zinc” in National Conference on Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics: Innovatoon and Emerging Trends-2019 organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Berhampur University from 22nd to 23rd February 2019.
• Poster Presentation on “Isolation and characterization of coliform bacteria from drinking water samples collected from slum areas of Bhubaneswar” in “National Seminar on Plants for Sustainable Development and Clean Environment & 43rd Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society”, Department of Botany, School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, from 23rd to 24th December, 2018.
• Oral Presentation on “Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant coliform bacteria in drinking water samples from slum areas of Bhubaneswar” in National Conference on Biotechnological Interventions for Environmental Stress Management in Plants and Microbes & 42nd Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society, held at P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, 20th & 21st January, 2018.
• Presented a paper entitled “Effect of Glomus intraradices inoculation on morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of Triticum aestivum” in National Seminar on “Stress Management in Plants”, P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, 27th March 2017.
• Presented a paper entitled “Arbuscular Mycorrhiza root colonization in pesticide treated crop field” in International Conference “Recent Trends of Chemical & Biological Sciences in Medicine, Natural Product and Drug Discovery” held at P.G. Department of Chemistry, Berhampur University, 3rd to 5th March 2017.
• Presented a paper entitled “Microbial Biomass: an indicator of reclamatory process in sponge iron solid waste dump” in Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society held at P.G. Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology and P.G. Department of Environmental Science, F.M. University, Balasore, Odisha, from 9th–10th February 2016.
• Presented a paper entitled “Plant secondary metabolites in pharmacology: present scenario” in International Conference on “Innovative Application of Chemistry in Pharmacology & Technology”, held from 6th–8th February 2015 at P.G. Department of Chemistry, Berhampur University.
• Presented a paper entitled “Status and diversity of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza in different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation” in National Conference on “Current Trends in Life Sciences Research and Challenges Ahead (NCCTLSRCA)”, held from 28th February to 2nd March 2014 at School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Odisha.
• Presented a paper entitled “Microbial population and soil microbial enzymatic activities in different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation” in National Seminar “Biodiversity and Conservation (BIOCON)” held at School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Odisha, from 16th–17th February 2013.
• Presented a paper entitled “Soil microbiological enzyme activities in different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps” in National Seminar “Ecotoxicology and Human Health” organized by the Department of Zoology in collaboration with the Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Odisha, held from 8th–9th January 2012.
• Presented a paper entitled “A study of mycorrhizal association with the herbaceous vegetation of different age series sponge iron solid waste dumps with respect to reclamation” in International Conference on “Climate Change, Forest Resource and Environment” organized by the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, held from 9th–11th December 2011.
• Presented a paper entitled “Reclamation sponge iron solid waste dump with top soil application” in International Conference on “Energy, Environment and Development” organized by the Department of Environmental Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Odisha, held from 10th–12th December 2010.
• Poster presented on: “Ethnomedicinal use of plants by Kandha tribes in Orissa” in National seminar “UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Medicinal Plants: Status, Conservation and Exploration” held at School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University on 27th March, 2010.
• Presented a paper entitled “A study of vegetational analysis on sponge iron solid waste dump with respect to reclamation” in National seminar “Present Scenario of Environmental Pollution and its Effect on Living Organisms” held at Govt. college of Arts & Science, Aurangabad, from 9th to 11th Dec. 2009.

Conferences / Seminars Organized

• Associate Organizing Secretary cum Treasurer, National Seminar on “Plants and Microbes for Sustainable Environment”, held during 26th–27th March 2025 at the P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Associate Organizing Secretary cum Treasurer, National Seminar on “Recent Advances in Plant Sciences for Sustainable Development”, held on 30th March 2024 at the P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Associate Organizing Secretary, National Conference on “Biotechnological Interventions for Environmental Stress Management in Plants and Microbes” & 42nd Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society, held at the P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, on 20th–21st January 2018.

• CSIR-NET JRF -2009
• UGC-Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for ST students to pursue Ph.D.

Administrative Responsibilities / Academic Assignments

• Member, Board of Studies (BoS), Utkal University – Botany, Microbiology and Environmental Science.
• Superintendent, Ladies Hostel VI, Utkal University (Since 2024).
• Member, Organizing Committee, State-level Inter-University Athletic Competitions under Nua-O Programme (2024).
• Assistant Superintendent, Ladies Hostel VI, Utkal University (2022–2024).
• Member, Working Committee, Odisha Research Conclave, Utkal University (2021).
• Seminar Advisor, Ph.D. Students, Department of Botany, Utkal University (Since 2022).
• Entrance Examination and Admission In-Charge, M.Sc. Applied Microbiology / Ph.D. Microbiology, Utkal University (2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22).
• Member, NIRF Data Compilation Committee, Utkal University (2018–2019).
• Assistant Superintendent, Ladies Hostel VII, Utkal University (2017–2022).
• Treasurer, Old Students Association, Department of Botany, Utkal University (Since 2017).
• Member, Departmental Research Committee (DRC), Botany, Microbiology and Environmental Science, Utkal University.
• Seminar Advisor, Parijatak Seminar, Department of Botany, Utkal University (2016–2021).
• Co-ordinator, Department of Botany, Berhampur University (December 2014 – October 2015).
• Assistant Superintendent, Ladies Hostel, Berhampur University (2011–2014).
• Associate Vice-President, Athletic Association, Berhampur University (2013–2015).
• Member, Complaint Committee on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, Berhampur University (2013–2015).
• Member, Discipline Committee, P.G. Departments, Berhampur University (2014–2015).
• Member, Gender Audit Committee, NAAC Cell, Berhampur University (2015).
• Member, Infrastructure and Learning Resources Committee, NAAC Cell, Berhampur University (2015).

Refresher Course / Orientation / Faculty Development Programme Attended

• Participated in Refresher Course in Environmental Science, 15/01/2026 – 28/01/2026, organized by Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Centre, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
• Participated in National Level NEP Orientation & Sensitization Programme, during 19/05/2025 – 31/05/2025, organized by Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Centre, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
• Participated in Refresher Course in Environmental Science from 28/02/2022 to 13/03/2022, organized by HRDC, Utkal University.
• Participated in Faculty Development Programme from 02/03/2020 to 06/03/2020 (One Week), organized by NIEPA, New Delhi.
• Participated in Refresher Course in Biotechnology & Bioscience from 25/01/2020 to 07/02/2020 (14 Days), organized by UGC-HRDC, Utkal University.
• Participated in Winter School on the theme “Research Methodology in Applied Sciences” from 24/01/2018 to 13/02/2018 (21 Days), organized by UGC-HRDC, Utkal University.
• Participated in Refresher Course in Life Science from 10/09/2014 to 30/09/2014 (21 Days), organized by UGC-Academic Staff College, Sambalpur University.
• Participated in Orientation Programme from 05/03/2012 to 01/04/2012 (28 Days), organized by UGC-Academic Staff College, Sambalpur University.

Training Programmes / Workshops Attended

• Participated in workshop on “Exploring Cells through Advanced Imaging Techniques” organized by Central Instrumentation Facility in collaboration with Leica Microsystems, from 23rd to 24th February 2026.
• Participated in “STEM Teacher Training Workshop on Research Based Pedagogical Tools” held at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur from 6th to 9th October 2017.
• Participated in Skill Development Workshop on “Modern Biological Techniques in Genetics to Transgenics” organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University from 27th to 28th March 2017.
• Participated in UGC-sponsored Skill-Based Workshop on “Current Advances in Microscope to Molecules” organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University from 17th to 18th November 2015.
• Participated in DST-sponsored Training Programme on “Forest, Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Climate Change: Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Strategies”, held at ICFRE, Dehradun from 9th to 13th December 2013.
• Participated in Short-Term Course on “Solid Waste Management” held from 4th to 6th November 2013, organized by UGC-Academic Staff College, Sambalpur University.
• Attended the Workshop on “Sensitization–cum-Awareness Programme for Technology Development and Utilization for Women” organized by P.G. Department of Home Sciences, Sambalpur University in collaboration with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, on 14th December 2010 at Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar.
• Participated in the National Level “SPSS Workshop on Data Analysis using PASW Statistics” organized by Sambalpur University in collaboration with AIMSCS, Hyderabad and SPSS South Asia, Bangalore from 17th to 19th September 2009 at the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Sciences, Sambalpur University, Odisha, India.
• Participated in the 60th BRNS-IANCS Workshop “Radioisotopes and its Application”, sponsored by BARC, Mumbai, held on 17th to 18th August 2006 and conducted by the P.G. Department of Chemistry, Sambalpur University, Odisha, India.

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Life Member, Orissa Botanical Society
• Life Member, Alumni Association, School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University
• Life Member, Microbiologist Society of India (MSI)
• Member, Old Students Association, Department of Botany, Utkal University
• Member, Utkal University Teachers Association (UUTA)
• Member, Plant Lovers Association, Bhubaneswar