Dr. Priyanka Khurana

• Ph.D. — University of Delhi (2014)
  Department of Anthropology | Thesis: A Genomic Study on the Sub-Structured Chaudhari Tribe of Southern Gujarat | Advisor: Prof. Gautam K. Kshatriya | Area: Human Population Genetics
• M.Sc. Anthropology — University of Delhi (2006–2008)
• B.Sc. Zoology (Hons) — University of Delhi (2003–2006)
• UGC-NET-JRF — March 2008

• Assistant Professor (Stage II), P.G. Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
  27 November 2019 – Present
• Assistant Professor (Stage I), P.G. Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
  26 November 2015 – 26 November 2019
• Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
  28 May 2013 – 24 November 2015

• Over a decade of teaching and research experience spanning Human Population Genetics, Biological Anthropology, Tribal Health, and Genomics.
• Research integrates molecular genetic approaches with socio-cultural and epidemiological frameworks to understand human diversity, health, and disease susceptibility among indigenous and tribal populations of India.
• Published in more than 25 peer-reviewed national and international journals.
• Authored multiple book chapters on forensic anthropology, genomics, and human evolution.
• Secured competitive research grants as Principal Investigator from funding agencies including DBT (Government of India), OURIIP/OSHEC, and Utkal University.
• Serves as Member, Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
• Actively mentors doctoral scholars and has supervised 28 M.A./M.Sc. dissertations.

• Utkal University — M.A./M.Sc. Anthropology (2015–Present)
  • Semester I
    • Social and Cultural Anthropology (ANTH-C-1)
    • Research Methodology and Statistics
    • Biological Anthropology and Human Genetics (ANTH-C-2)
    • General Practical: Biological and Forensic Anthropology (ANTH-C-6)
  • Semester II
    • Indian Society and Applied Anthropology (ANTH-C-6)
    • Ecological Anthropology (ANTH-C-7)
  • Semester III
    • Human Biology (ANTH-CE-B1)
    • Human Molecular Genetics (ANTH-CE-B2)
    • Anthropological Theories on Society (ANTH-CE-A3)
    • Tribes in India
  • Semester IV
    • Medical Genetics
    • Human Genome: Meaning and Methods of Study
    • Forensic Anthropology and Criminology
    • Advanced Practicals
    • Fieldwork and Dissertations
• Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University — M.A./M.Sc. & B.A./B.Sc. Anthropology (2013–2015)
  • Human Genetics
  • Human Population Genetics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Molecular Genetics

E-CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & CURRICULUM DESIGN

• Designed course papers in the Anthropology syllabus for NEP-2024.
• Developed e-content modules for the IGNOU eGyanKosh portal:
  • Archaic Homo sapiens (2020)
  • Discovery and Techniques for Recovering Skeletonised Human Remains (2022)
• Developed e-content (video lectures) on Hardy-Weinberg Law I & II under ILMS for Biological Anthropology and Human Genetics, Utkal University (NIC Media Platform).

• A. Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
  • Kshatriya GK, Aggarwal A, Khurana P, et al. Genomic and Linguistic Affinities: Allelic and Haplotype Diversity at DRD2 Locus among the Tribes of Gujarat, Western India. Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers. 2010;14(2):215–223.
  • Kabita, Khurana P, Saraswathy KN, Sachdeva MP. Status of Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Rajputs and Brahmins of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh. The Anthropologist. 2011;13(1):39–41.
  • Khurana P, Aggarwal A, Singh HS, Kshatriya GK. Haptoglobin Polymorphism among the Tribes of Southern Gujarat. Indian Journal of Human Genetics. 2011;17(3).
  • Kshatriya GK, Aggarwal A, Khurana P, Italia YM. Genomic Congruence of Indo-European Speaking Tribes of Western India with Dravidian Speaking Populations of Southern India. Annals of Human Biology. 2011;38(5):583–591.
  • Aggarwal A, Khurana P, Mitra S, et al. Distribution of Beta-Globin Haplotypes among the Tribes of Southern Gujarat, India. Gene. 2013;521(2):287–292.
  • Khurana P, Aggarwal A, Mitra S, et al. Y Chromosome Haplogroup Distribution in Indo-European Speaking Tribes of Gujarat, Western India. PLOS ONE. 2014;9(3):e90414.
  • Mitra S, Khurana P, Panmei T, Kshatriya GK. Global Paraoxonase 1 Gln192Arg (Q192R) Allele Frequencies with New Data from India. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2016;39(3):1051–1056.
  • Khurana P. Patterns of Population Sub-Structuring among Chaudhary Tribe of Southern Gujarat. Man in Society. 2017;24:38–41.
  • Khurana P. An Ethnographic Note on the Chaudhari Tribe of Southern Gujarat. Man in Society. 2019.
  • Khurana P. Challenges in ANC Service Utilization in India. Man in Society. 2021;28:136–147.
  • Khurana P, Sahoo K. Exploring Alternative Anthropometric Indices for Malnutrition Detection. Man in Society. 2022;29:129–146.
  • Sahoo K, Nayak SR, Khurana P. The Pattern of Health-Seeking Behavior among Juang Tribe. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 2023;48(5).
  • Khurana P. Neuropathic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease: Prevalence Pattern and Contributing Factors. Man in Society. 2023;30:80–85.
  • Khurana P, Sahoo K. Insights into the Genetic Makeup from the Distribution of ABO and Rh Blood Groups in Juang Tribe of Odisha. Antrocom: Journal of Anthropology. 2024;20(2):351–357.
  • Sahoo K, Khurana P. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices: A Survey on Malaria among Santhal Tribe of Mayurbhanj District, Odisha. Man in Society. 2024;31:16–26.
  • Sahoo S, Nayak SR, Khurana P. Menarche, Marriage, and Conception: Their Influence on Maternal Health Services Utilization in the Juang Tribe of Odisha. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review. 2025;8(10):47–67.
• B. Book Chapters
  • Khurana P. Human Skeleton. In: Understanding Forensic Science through Anthropology. IGNOU; 2016.
  • Khurana P. Genomic Identity of Populations of India: An Anthropological Insight. In: India and Western Aspects of Identity. 2017.
  • Khurana P. Archaic Homo sapiens. In: Fundamentals of Human Origin and Evolution. IGNOU; 2018.
  • Khurana P. Discovery and Techniques for Recovering Skeletonized Human Remains. In: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology. IGNOU; 2021.
• C. Policy Documents / Government Reports
  • Programme Implementation Plan Monitoring Report, 2018–19: Assessment of NHM PIP implementation gaps in four districts of Odisha. Submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (27 January 2020).
  • Programme Implementation Plan Monitoring Report, 2019–20: Assessment of NHM PIP implementation gaps in eight districts of Odisha. Submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (11 January 2021).
• D. Media / Popular Writing
  • Khurana P. Paradigm and Paradoxes Related to Pandemic of 2020. Orissa Today, 06 May 2020.
  • Khurana P. Future of India’s Population Expansion: An Apocalyptic Prophecy or an Ungrounded Panic? The Pioneer, July 2020.

• Ph.D. Scholars
  • Ms. Kberi Sahoo — Thesis: “An Anthropological Study of Sickle Cell Disorder among the Selected Tribe and Caste Populations of Kalahandi District, Odisha” | Status: Ongoing
  • Mr. Soumya Ranjan Nayak — Thesis: “Gut Bacterial Diversity and Nutrient Intake Pattern among the Tibetan Population in Odisha” | Status: Ongoing
• M.A./M.Sc. Dissertations Supervised
  • 2020 — 8 Dissertations
  • 2021 — 7 Dissertations
  • 2022 — 2 Dissertations
  • 2023 — 2 Dissertations
  • 2024 — 2 Dissertations
  • 2025 — 7 Dissertations
  • Total: 28 Dissertations Successfully Completed

• Project 1: Evolutionary and Social Implications of Genome Diversity Study among Three Ethnic Groups of Odisha
  • Role: Principal Investigator
  • Funding Agency: University Research and Development Fund, Utkal University
  • Funding: ₹1,00,000
  • Duration: 2 Years
  • Status: Completed
• Project 2: An Anthropological Study of Nutritional Status among Children of Bondo Tribe of Odisha
  • Role: Principal Investigator
  • Funding Agency: OURIIP / Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC)
  • Funding: ₹4,95,000
  • Status: Completed
• Project 3: Genomic Heterogeneity among the Tribes of South Gujarat
  • Role: Research Collaborator
  • Principal Investigator: Prof. Gautam K. Kshatriya, University of Delhi
  • Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
  • Duration: August 2008 – February 2009
  • Status: Completed

• An Anthropological srudy of nutritional status among children of Bonda tribe of Odisha (PI): The project aims to investigate the status of malnutrition among the Bonda tribe children under five year of age groups and attempts to evaluate the socio-cultural reasons for it.  , Funding Agency: OURIIP , OSHEC , Status : On going
• Evolutionary and Social Implications of Genome diversity Study among ethnic group of Odisha (PI): : The project aims at evaluating the genetic and phenotypic variation with respect to pain observed among the patients with sickle cell anaemia from the tribal communities.  Funding Agency: Utkal University Seed Grant, Status : Completed

• International Conferences
  • Dual Pathways to Wellness: Exploring Traditional and Modern Healthcare Preferences among Tribes of Odisha. World Anthropology Post-Congress International Conference on Traditional Knowledge, Ethnomedicine and Healing Practices, P.G. Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, 16 August 2023.
  • Addressing Neuropathic Pain and Patient Variability in Sickle Cell Disease. World Anthropology Congress, UIAF in collaboration with KISS, Utkal University, Sambalpur University and Delhi University, 9–14 August 2023.
  • Characterization of Pain in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Nociceptive versus Neuropathic Pain. Annual Conference of Indian Society of Human Genetics & International Symposium on New Genetics and its Contribution to Human Health, Department of Human Genetics, Andhra University, 23–25 January 2023.
  • Genetics and Society: Need to Expand Ethical Concerns. International Conference on Science, Society and Politics in South Asia, Centre of North East India Studies, Utkal University, 2020.
  • Ethics in Human Genetics Research. World Bank–OHEPEE & RUSA 2.0 Sponsored International Conference, 2020.
  • Integrating Tribal Health Culture into Modern Health Care: Problems and Prospects. International Seminar on Understanding Tribes in Neo-liberal Era, Utkal University, March 2019.
  • Characterization of Pain in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Nociceptive versus Neuropathic Pain. Indian Anthropology Congress, Savitribai Phule University, Pune, February 2019.
  • African by Ancestry, Indian by Nationality: A Case Study of Siddis of India. National Seminar on Community, Caste and Tribe in Odisha, Utkal University, January 2019.
  • A Polymorphism Study of the Human Serum Paraoxonase 1 Gene among Four Populations of India. National Seminar on Genomics and Cultural Variation of Indian Populations, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, February 2017.
• National / State Level Presentations
  • Factors Influencing Undernutrition among Children under 5 Years from Bondo Tribe: Insights from Badbel Village, Malkangiri, Odisha. Odisha Research Conclave, OSHEC & Sambalpur University, November 2023.
  • Prevalence of Malnutrition among the Children of Bondo Tribe of Odisha. Odisha Research Conclave (Best Poster Award), OSHEC & Ravenshaw University, November 2022.
  • Heterogeneous Health-Seeking Behaviour among Juang Tribe of Banspal Block, Keonjhar, Odisha. INCAA-2022, University of Hyderabad, February 2022.
  • The Dynamics between COVID-19 and Human Microbiome: An Anthropological Assessment. National Applied Anthropological Congress, Andhra University, December 2021.
  • An Anthropological Study of Nutritional Status among Children of Bondo Tribe of Odisha. Odisha Research Conclave, OSHEC & Utkal University, November 2021.
  • Culture and Climate: An Insight from Anthropological Perspectives. 20th Odisha Bigyan ‘O’ Paribesh Congress (OBPC), NISER, Bhubaneswar, November 2018.
• Invited Lectures & Resource Person
  • Anthropological Genetics: Theory, Methods and Applications. Resource Person, Baba Bhairabananda Autonomous Mahavidyalaya, Chandikhol, Jajpur, Odisha, 2022.
  • Anthropological Genetics. Session Chair & Invited Speaker, Indian Anthropology Congress, University of Delhi & INCAA, February 2021.

• Awards & Honours
  • Best Poster Award — Odisha Research Conclave 2022, OSHEC in collaboration with Ravenshaw University.
  • DBT India Travel Award — Awarded to participate in the Human Genome Meeting, Sydney, Australia, 2013.
  • UGC-NET-JRF Award — Qualified for Junior Research Fellowship in Anthropology, March 2009.

• Academic & Administrative Responsibilities
  • Member, Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) — ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
  • Assistant Coordinator, Research and Development Cell — Utkal University.
  • Assistant Coordinator, Master in Public Health Programme — Utkal University, Chandikhol Campus.
  • Member, Media Cell — Utkal University.
  • Deputy Director, Population Research Centre (MoHFW) — Utkal University (2019–2020).
  • Superintendent, Ladies Hostel-04 (Malati Devi Chatri Niwas) — Utkal University (2016–2022).
  • Member, Departmental Committees: e-Admission, Webpage, Library Technical, Biological Anthropology Laboratory, and Student Seminar.
• Event Organization
  • Co-Organized International Seminar on “Natural Resource Management & Sustainable Tribal Development: Bio-Cultural Issues and Challenges”, Department of Anthropology, February 2026.
  • Co-Chair, Session on Anthropological Genetics — Indian Anthropology Congress, University of Delhi, February 2021.
  • Organized e-Symposium on COVID-19 and Women on the occasion of World Population Day, July 2020.
  • Organized a two-day online conference in collaboration with Save the Children on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in the Times of COVID, October 2020.
  • Co-Organized Workshop on Scientific Research Paper Writing — P.G. Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, October–November 2017.
  • Co-Organized National Workshop on Research Methodology in Social Sciences (ASI-sponsored) — P.G. Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, February 2018.
• Editorial & Reviewing
  • Editorial Board Member — Man in Society: The Journal of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University.
• Professional Memberships
  • Life Member — Indian Society of Human Genetics.
  • Life Member — Indian Science Congress.
  • Member — The United Indian Anthropology Forum.

• Administrative Experience:  Positions held
• Superintendent Ladies Hostel -04 ( Malati Devi Chatri niwas)
• Assistant Superintendent,   Ladies Hostel -04 ( Malati Devi Chatri niwas)
• Deputy director,  Population Research centre ( MoHFW)
• Assistant Deputy Director, Population Research centre ( MoHFW)
• Co coordinator , Master in Public Health , Utkal University Chandikhol campus
• Member of  Department committees like e-admission committee,  library technical committee, Teacher-in charge of scientific equipment,  Teacher in charge  for biological anthropology Lab,  member of committee of Student Seminar

Member of Association & Societies:

• Life time Member of Indian Society of Human Genetics
• Life time Member of Indian Science Congress
• Member of The United Indian Anthropology Forum