Dr. Rojali Maharana

• Microbial isolation
• Characterization and its application in metal solubilising processes
• Environmental assessment and analysis of polluted sites, contaminants and wastes
• Solid waste management through agriculture
• Bioremediation, bio-recovery and bio-sorption of heavy metals
• Development of low-cost organo-mineral fertilizer from mineral and industrial wastes

• B.Sc. (Chemistry), Shailabala Women’s College, Cuttack, Utkal University.
• M.Sc. (Environmental Sciences), Utkal University.
• Ph.D. (Biological Sciences), CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, AcSIR, Ghaziabad.

• Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University

M.Sc. Environmental Science
(Paper Code: ES-101, 102, 103, ES-201, ES-301), Department of Botany, Utkal University, Duties: taught recitations, held office hours, graded exams (1st June 23 to continuing.)

Research Contributions

• Research Papers published in International peer-reviewed Journals: 15
• Research Papers published in International/national conferences: 23
• Patent filed: 01
• Book Chapters: 04

Citation Indices

• Research Interest Score: 90.1
• Citations: 73
• h-index: 04
• i10-index: 03

Patent Filed

• Appln No: 202211051487; dated 08-09-2022; Title: “A PHOSPHORUS ENRICHED ORGANOMINERAL FERTILIZER FROM ORGANIC WASTES, ROCK PHOSPHATE AND EFFICIENT MICROBIAL SOLUBILIZER AND USE THEREOF.”

Ph.D. Thesis

• Rojali Maharana, “Development of P rich Organomineral fertilizer and effects on plant growth”. Departmental Advisory Committee: Dr. Manish Kumar, Dr. Nabin Kumar Dhal (Guide), Dr. Sony Pandey, Dr. Barsha Dash, DRC Member, E&S Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, 2023.

Journal Articles

SCI Journals

• Rojali Maharana, Aradhana Basu, Nabin Kumar Dhal & Totan Adak (2021). Biosolubilization of rock phosphate by Pleurotus ostreatus with brewery sludge and its effect on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), Journal of Plant Nutrition (IF 2.27), Taylor & Francis Publication, 44:3, 395-410.
  https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1822397
• Aradhana Basu, Meerambika Behera, Rojali Maharana, Manish Kumar, Nabin Kumar Dhal, Ashok J. Tamhankar, Amrita Mishra, Suraj K. Tripathy (2020). “To unsnarl the mechanism of disinfection of Escherichia coli via visible light assisted heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction in presence of biochar supported maghemite nanoparticles”. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (IF 7.968), Elsevier Publication.
• Rojali Maharana, Seemarekha Das, Nabin Kumar Dhal, Srikanta Dinda & B. S. Manisha Singh. Characterization and Mechanisms of Biosolubilization of Rock Phosphate by Microbes Isolated from Mahanadi Estuary, Odisha, India. International Journal of Environmental Research (2021), Springer Publication, IF 3.229, 15:335–348.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-021-00320-6
• Rojali Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal. Solubilization of rock phosphate by phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from effluent treatment plant sludge of a fertilizer plant. Folia Microbiologica (2022), Springer Publication, IF 2.629.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-022-00953-w

NAAS/UGC Approved Journals

• Maharana R., S.S. Panda and N.K. Dhal (2017). “Amendment of ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) Sludge with Chromites Mine Overburden Dump: A Sustainable Approach Towards Revegetation and Reclamation”. Research Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 5, pp. 31–39 (NAAS: 4.63).
• D. Murmu, R. Maharana, A. Basu & N.K. Dhal (2017). “Restoration of Degraded Mining Areas through Potent Plant Species to Mitigate Environmental Pollution: A Review”. Research Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 5(5), pp. 72–78 (NAAS: 4.63).
• J. Patra, R. Maharana, B. Rath and N.K. Dhal (2017). “Enhancement of Ethanol Production from Orange Peel Waste by UV-Mutated Yeast Strain: A Solution to Energy Crisis”. Trends in Biosciences, Vol. 10(39), pp. 8112–8116 (NAAS: 3.94), UGC Approved Journal.
• Rojali Maharana, Aradhana Basu and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2017). “Addition of Low-Grade Phosphate Rock for Improvement of Soil Fertility on Plant Models: A Preliminary Case Study”. Current Agriculture Research Journal, Vol. 5(3), pp. 359–365 (NAAS: 4.36), UGC Approved Journal.
• D. Murmu, R. Maharana, M.K. Panda, S.D. Muduli and N.K. Dhal (2018). “Effects of Gypsum on Growth and Physiological Activities of Maize (Zea mays L.): A Preliminary Study”. Trends in Biosciences, Vol. 11(9), pp. 1957–1961 (NAAS: 3.94), UGC Approved Journal.
• Maharana Rojali*, Panda Swati Sucharita, Basu Aradhana and Dhal Nabin Kumar (2018). “Effects of Biochar on Growth and Physiological Activities of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown on Chromium (VI) Contaminated Soil”. Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, Vol. 22(6), June 2018, pp. 36–44 (Scopus Indexed, UGC Approved, NAAS: 4.00).
• Rojali Maharana, Ankita Bhushan and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2018). “Application of Raw Crusher Dust for Improving Agricultural Productivity of Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L.” Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol. 38(7), pp. 585–590 (Scopus Indexed, UGC Approved).
• Devasish Murmu, Rojali Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2018). “Health Impacts of Iron Mining: A Case Study from Keonjhar District of Odisha”. Environment and Ecology, Vol. 36(3), pp. 777–782 (NAAS: 4.18, UGC Approved).
• R. Maharana, P.P. Sahu and N.K. Dhal (2018). “Effect of Petroleum Sludge on Plant Growth under Sandy Soil Condition: A Preliminary Study”. Research in Environment and Life Sciences, Vol. 11(05), pp. 152–154 (NAAS: 3.74, UGC Approved).
• Sonali Acharya, Rojali Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2018). “Neutralization and Phytoremediation of Alkaline Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) – A Review”. Research in Environment and Life Sciences, Vol. 11(10), pp. 268–273 (NAAS: 3.74, UGC Approved).
• Rojali Maharana, Swati Sucharita Panda, Danda Srinivas Rao and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2019). “Effect of Diatomaceous Earth on the Growth and Physiological Criteria of Zea mays L.” Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol. 39(6), pp. 509–515 (Scopus Indexed, UGC Approved).

Books Co-authored

• Subhashree Pattnayak, D. Murmu, R. Maharana, S.C. Sahu and N.K. Dhal (2017). “Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for Jaundice as Future Source of Drugs: A Preliminary Case Study in Similipal Biosphere Reserves and its Adjoining Areas” published in the book Facets of SIMILIPAL, North Orissa University, Sriram Chandra Vihar, Takatpur-757003, Baripada, Mayurbhanj.
• Subhashree Pattnayak, Devasish Murmu, Manasa Kumar Panda, Rojali Maharana, Kalicharan Mandal, and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2020). “Traditional Herbal Practices of Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India, for Treatment of Bone Fracture” published in the book Advances in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Recent Progress and Future Applications (Springer), Chapter 12, pp. 145–154.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2195-9
• Kaushik Kumar Bharadwaj, Ankit Srivastava, Manasa Kumar Panda, Yengkhom Disco Singh, Rojali Maharana, Kalicharan Mandal, B.S. Manisha Singh, Dipanjali Singh, Mohinikanti Das, Devasish Murmu, Sandeep Kumar Kabi (2021). “Computational Intelligence in Vaccine Design Against COVID-19” published in the book Computational Intelligence Methods in COVID-19: Surveillance, Prevention, Prediction and Diagnosis, Studies in Computational Intelligence, Vol. 923, Springer, Singapore.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8534-0_16
• Rojali Maharana, B.S. Manisha Singh, Kalicharan Mandal, and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2022). “Microbial-Mediated Mechanism to Improve Rock Phosphate Solubilization and Its Agronomic Implications”. Enzymes for Pollutant Degradation, Microorganisms for Sustainability, Vol. 30 (Springer).
  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4574-7_17

Conference Presentations

• • Maharana R., Panda S.S. and Dhal N.K. (2015). Adsorption of hexavalent chromium by using agricultural waste biochar: A sustainable approach towards waste management. 40th Annual Conference of Odisha Botanical Society, 8th–9th February 2015, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore (Oral Presentation).
  • Maharana R., Panda S.S. and Dhal N.K. (2016). Amendment of ETP Sludge with Chromite Mine Overburden Dump: A Preliminary Study for Revegetation. Bioprospecting in Life Sciences Research for Human Welfare and 41st Annual Conference of Odisha Botanical Society, India, 24th–26th December 2016, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur (Oral Presentation).
  • Dhal N.K., A.K. Nayak, R. Maharana and S.D. Muduli (2016). Ecological Restoration of Chromium Contaminated Soil Through Phytoremediation Techniques. Bioprospecting in Life Sciences Research for Human Welfare and 41st Annual Conference of Odisha Botanical Society, India, 24th–26th December 2016, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur.
  • Maharana R., S.D. Muduli and N.K. Dhal (2017). Development of blended mineral fertilizer from stone dust and its application in agriculture: A preliminary case study. UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Emerging Trends in Plant Science Research: Challenges and Opportunities, 22nd–23rd March 2017, Department of Botany, North Orissa University, Sriram Chandra Vihar, Takatpur, Baripada-757003 (Oral Presentation).
  • D. Murmu, A. Basu, R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2017). Study of Plant Diversity in Degraded Mining Areas for Ecological Restoration: A Preliminary Case Study. Annual Conference of Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy & International Symposium on Plant Systematics Priorities and Challenges, 10th–12th November 2017, Delhi University Botanical Society, Department of Botany, University of Delhi-110007, India.
  • Rojali Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2017). Low Grade Nepheline Syenite Used as a Source of Potassium for Plant Growth. 19th Odisha Bigyan ‘O’ Paribesh Congress, “Science & Technology for Environmental Security”, organized by KIIT University, Bhubaneswar and Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar, 25th–26th November 2017 (Poster Presentation).
  • Rojali Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2017). The Role of Phosphate Solubilising Fungi for Plant Growth Development. National Seminar on Reaching the Unreached Through Science & Technology, 17th–18th December 2017, jointly organized by Indian Science Congress Association, Bhubaneswar Chapter & Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar (Poster Presentation).
  • D. Murmu, R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2017). Effect of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) and Fly Ash on Growth of Rice (Oryza sativa L.). National Seminar on Reaching the Unreached Through Science & Technology, 17th–18th December 2017, jointly organized by Indian Science Congress Association, Bhubaneswar Chapter & Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar.
  • D. Murmu, R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2018). Exploration and Documentation of Ethnomedical Properties of Sacred Groves of Karanjia Block (Mayurbhanj District). National Seminar on Importance of Sacred Groves for the Conservation of Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity, 7th January 2018, organized by Ambika Prasad Research Foundation at Maritime Museum, Cuttack (Poster Presentation).
  • Rojali Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2018). Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria and Their Role in Plant Growth Development. National Conference on “BIEMPM” & 42nd Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society, 20th–21st January 2018, organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar (Poster Presentation).

Conference Presentations

• • D. Murmu, R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2018). The Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Iron Mining on Local Livelihoods in Nandihi Areas: A Case Study of Keonjhar District. National Conference on “BIEMPM” & 42nd Annual Conference of Orissa Botanical Society held on 20th–21st January 2018, organized by P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
  • R. Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2018). Development of Low-cost Fertilizer from Mineral Waste and Its Effects on Plant Growth, p. no. 77. National Conference on Waste to Wealth in Mineral and Metallurgical Industries held on 9th–10th March 2018, organized by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar (Oral Presentation).
  • N.K. Dhal, S. Pattnayak and R. Maharana (2018). Exploration of Floristic Diversity in Odisha: Need of the Hour, p. no. 54. National Conference on Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development and Environment Management held on 1st–2nd April 2018, organized by Department of Life Science & Department of Chemistry, School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Bhubaneswar.
  • R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2018). Effect of Rock Phosphate on Phytoremediation of Cr⁺⁶ Contaminated Soil Using Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Wats, p. no. 90. 20th Odisha Bigyan ‘O’ Paribesh Congress held on 17th–18th November 2018. National Seminar on Science for Society organized by Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar & National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar.
  • R. Maharana, S. Acharya and N.K. Dhal (2018). Neutralization of Red Mud for Management of Highly Alkaline Bauxite Residue, p. no. 9. 43rd Annual Conference of Odisha Botanical Society. National Seminar on Plants for Sustainable Development and Clean Environment, 23rd–24th December 2018, held at Centurion University, Bhubaneswar.
  • R. Maharana and Nabin Kumar Dhal (2019). Rock Phosphate Solubilisation by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Isolated from Mahanadi Estuary, Odisha, India, p. no. 98 (RAEEHS 084(OP). National Conference on Recent Advances in Energy, Environment and Health Sciences organized by Department of Chemistry, Environmental Science Programme, SOA University, Bhubaneswar-751030 on 18th–19th October 2019 (Oral Presentation).
  • R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2019). Biosolubilisation of Poorly Soluble Rock Phosphates by Aspergillus aculeatus, p. no. 52. Recent Advances in Biological Sciences for Sustainable Environment. One-day State Level Seminar held on 9th November 2019, organized by Department of Botany, Pattamundai College, Pattamundai, Kendrapada.
  • R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2019). Screening for Rock Phosphate Solubilization by Fungal and Bacterial Isolates from Mahanadi Estuary, Odisha and Their Characterization, p. no. 249. National Seminar on “Science and Technology: Rural Development” held on 13th–14th December 2019, organized by Indian Science Congress Association, Bhubaneswar Chapter & KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar-751024.
  • R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2021). Chemical and Physical Mechanisms of Bacterial Biosolubilization of Rock Phosphate: An Approach to Utilize Phosphate Mine Waste to Fertilizer. Indian Chemical Engineering Congress & 74th Annual Session of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. International Seminar on “Sustainable Utilization of Resources for Chemical & Mineral Sectors” held on 27th–30th December 2021, jointly organized by Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Bhubaneswar Regional Centre, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar and Institute of Chemical Technology Indian Oil Odisha Campus, Bhubaneswar.
  • Subhamaya Mohapatra, Rojali Maharana and Sourav Kumar Rout (2024). Chemical and Biological Characterization of Organic Matter During Composting of Municipal Solid Waste of Bhubaneswar City (EBS-13). National Seminar on Recent Advances in Plant Science for Sustainable Development, organized by Botany Department, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001 on 30th March 2024.
  • Pragyan Nayak, Rojali Maharana, and Sourav Kumar Rout (2024). Effects of Municipal Solid Waste on Soil Properties, Plant Growth and Heavy Metal Distribution in the Contaminated Soil (SPP-02). National Seminar on Recent Advances in Plant Science for Sustainable Development, organized by Botany Department of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001 on 30th March 2024.
  • Subhashree Sethi, Rojali Maharana, and Sourav Kumar Rout (2024). Comparative Assessment of Water-Soluble Fractions of Heavy Metals During Composting of Municipal Solid Waste of Bhubaneswar City (SPP-03). National Seminar on Recent Advances in Plant Science for Sustainable Development, organized by Botany Department of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001 on 30th March 2024.
  • Priyaprabhat Kerketta, Rojali Maharana, and Sourav Kumar Rout (2024). Assessment of Different Doses of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on Growth of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) (EBS-14). National Seminar on Recent Advances in Plant Science for Sustainable Development, organized by Botany Department of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001 on 30th March 2024.

Supervision of Dissertation Thesis

• Subhamaya Mohapatra (14616V224011) (2024). “Composting of Municipal Solid Waste of Bhubaneswar City”. Master of Environmental Science, Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001.(2024)
• Subhashree Sethi (14616V224013) (2024). “Changes of Heavy Metal Fraction During Composting of Municipal Solid Waste of Bhubaneswar City”. Master of Environmental Science, Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001.(2024)
• Priyaprabhat Kerketta (14616V224009) (2024). “Effects of Municipal Solid Waste on Growth and Development of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)”. Master of Environmental Science, Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001.(2024)
• Pragyan Nayak (14616V224007) (2024). “Effects of Municipal Solid Waste on Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) in Chromium Contaminated Soil”. Master of Environmental Science, Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001.(2024)

Awards and Achievements

• Gold Medallist in M.Sc. “Environmental Science”, Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar (2012–14).
• Secured second position in Poster Presentation at the National Seminar on “Importance of Sacred Groves for the Conservation of Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity” held on 7th January 2018, organized by Ambika Prasad Research Foundation at Maritime Museum, Cuttack. Presented: D. Murmu, R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2018), “Exploration and Documentation of Ethnomedical Properties of Sacred Groves of Karanjia Block (Mayurbhanj District)”.
• Received Best Poster Award at the National Seminar on “Science and Technology: Rural Development” held on 13th–14th December 2019, organized by Indian Science Congress Association, Bhubaneswar Chapter & KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar-751024. Presented: R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2019), “Screening for Rock Phosphate Solubilization by Fungal and Bacterial Isolates from Mahanadi Estuary, Odisha and Their Characterization”, p. no. 249.
• Secured 3rd position in Poster Competition during National Science Day Celebration 2021 on “Future of STI: Impacts of Education, Skills and Work” held on 26th February 2021, organized by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013. Presented: R. Maharana and N.K. Dhal (2021), “Sustainable Management of Low-Grade Rock Phosphate for the Production of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers”.
• Secured 1st position in Presentation Competition held during CSIR-IMMT Foundation Day on 13th April 2022 at CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar. Presented: “Development of a Phosphorus Enriched Organomineral Fertilizer and Use Thereof”.

Life Member of National Environmental Science Academy (NESA, L.M. No. 2696), India.

Major Events Organized

• National Seminar on “Recent Advances in Plant Science for Sustainable Development” organized at Botany Department of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-754001 on 30th March 2024 (Organizing Committee).

Key Accomplishments and Contributions

• Developed organo-mineral fertilizer for agricultural application using low-grade rock phosphate, microbial inoculums and organic waste.

List of Paper Reviewed

• Reviewed manuscript AJGS-D-20-02772 titled “Investigating the Effect of Aspergillus Niger Inoculated Biofertilizer on the Potential of Enhancing Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield, Phosphorous Use Efficiency and Phosphorous Agronomic Efficiency” from Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Springer (IF: 1.827).

Workshops Participated

• Participated in the workshop on National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, Department of Space, Government of India, Bhubaneswar, National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) and its Data Products, conducted at CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar on 6th April 2018.
• Participated in Workshop-cum-Training Program on “Treatment and Utilization of Industrial and Mining Wastes for Sustainable Environment”, organized by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi on 28th January 2019 at CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar.
• Participated in CSIR-Skill Development Training Program on “Basic and Advance Skill for Water Testing and Analysis (BASWTA)”, organized by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, Environment and Sustainability Department during 5th–9th August 2019.

Short-Term Courses

• Participated in a TEQIP-III Sponsored Online Short-Term Course on “Recent Advances in Environmental Biotechnology” held from 5th–9th October 2020, jointly organized by School of Environmental Science and Engineering & Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
• Participated in a One-Week Online Entrepreneurship Development Program on “Organic Farming Systems”, organized by Agribusiness Incubation Centre, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack from 15th–20th February 2021.
• Participated in the One-Week National e-Workshop on “Innovation & Intellectual Property Rights 2021” organized by Innovative Technology Enabling Centre (InTEC), CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar during 14th–19th June 2021.

National and International Level Fellowship

• Qualified the entrance examination conducted by “Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti”, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India.
• Qualified the “DST INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)” Fellowship awarded by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.

Extracurricular Activities

• Participated in CSIR-Platinum Jubilee Technofest as Poster Presenter on “Agriculture and Floriculture” at CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar during 9th–11th October 2017.
• Presented a poster on “Low Cost Organo-Mineral Fertilizer” at MSME Technologies held at CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology during 6th–10th March 2017.
• Participated in the 55th CSIR-IMMT Foundation Day Poster Competition held on 13th April 2018 and presented a poster entitled “Effects of Mineral Waste (Low Grade Rock Phosphate) as Fertilizer on Growth of Zea mays”, organized by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar and sponsored by NALCO, Bhubaneswar.