1. Prof. A.S. Raghubanshi, Director-IESD

M.Sc. & Ph.D. in Botany (BHU); specialization in integrative ecology and sustainability science; current research interest includes carbon flux from tropical ecosystems, tree ecophysiology, ecology of plant invasion, restoration and conservation of natural ecosystems

2. Prof. (Mrs) Kavita Shah, Professor

Dr Kavita Shah has made significant contributions in the area of Enzyme and Environmental Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Developed a rice-peroxidase-enzyme-biosensor is the novel contribution to help monitor neurological patients for dopamine levels during 2013-14 (Talanta 2012). Development of drought and heat stress tolerant transgenic tomato lines is an important achievement of the biotechnology work undertaken during 2013-14.

3. Prof. GS Singh, Professor

Collection and compilation of local based information pertaining to perceptions of impact of climate change on changing land use scenario in Indogangetic region. Various ecosystems were viewed in purview of conservation, and natural resource management so one could achieve the objectives of sustainable development while linking social components with ecological parameters.

4. Prof. RK Mall, Professor

Prepared Policy document for SAARC countries "Operationalizing the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change: Action, Planning for DRR-CCA integration" released during 6th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk reduction (5th AMCDRR), 21-25 June. 2014, Bangkok, Thailand

5. Dr. JP Verma, Assistant Professor

Development of some indigenous microbial consortia, PGPR, PGPF for enhancing sustainable agriculture. The pesticide degrading microbes has been considered a potential microbial tool for degradation of pesticide from soils.

6. Dr. RP Singh,Assistant Professor

During the said period various significant aspect of waste management was undertaken and published in journal having high impact factor. Study was carried out using fly ash, palm oil mill waste, tannery sludge etc and different waste management strategies was undertaken into consideration such as agricultural utilization, paper making, energy aspect.

7. Dr. PC Abhilash, Assistant Professor

We have standardised simplified methods for the ecological inventorying of a pesticide contaminated soil sites in Lucknow based on the chemical, biological and microbiological characters of the study area. Such studies are important for the containment and management of contaminated soil sites. Similarly, studied were also undertaken to evaluate the impact of warming climate specifically increasing temperature on pesticide dissipation and degradation from soil. The study indicates that warming climate can significantly enhance the dissipation of pesticides from soil and altered the soil microbial biomass and catabolic enzymes. We are also trying to elucidate the effect of various parameters including crops varietal differences on the spatio-temporal variation of soil respiration.

8. Dr. T Banerjee, Assistant Professor

Current research is aimed to model meteorology-air pollutant interactions, air pollutant source apportionment and characterization of tropospheric aerosols. We have already characterized the airborne particulates present in lower troposphere in Varanasi and information will be used for receptor modelling to identify potential sources. Additionally, we are also studying MODIS and CALIPSO satellite profiles for the regional coverage of aerosol optical depth and its vertical profile.

9. Dr. V. Prasad, Assistant Professor

The primary focus of my study work is on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress factors. The diverse arrays of stress factors are of great concern as they directly hamper the plant growth and development lowering the productivity. We work by combining the tools of plant physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology and try to decipher out how plants sense and transmit stress signals at the cellular level.

10. Dr. K Ram, Assistant Professor

Current research interest includes atmospheric chemistry, carbonaceous aerosols, physico-chemical and optical properties and source apportionment. He has published eighteen (18) research papers in peer-reviewed and highly reputed international journals. He is a recipient of various travel support from national and International organizations to attend various conferences, including COSPAR, IGAC/CACGP- 2010, EAC-2009. He has also served as Reviewer for various international journals like AE, ACP, JGR, AR, JAS, AAQR, AMT, APR, JGE.

11. Dr. S Srivastava, Assistant Professor To identify arsenic stress perception and signaling mechanisms, Brassica juncea was selected as a model plant and through different biochemical, molecular and microarray experiments, I identified As-stress responsive microRNAs and ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as probable players. Various identified microRNAs may modulate hormonal responses and affect sulfur metabolism and therefore, microRNAs and hormones work in coordination to modulate sulfur pathway and As stress response. In other experiments, GABA accumulation was found to coincide with As tolerance. It was proposed that GABA may regulate carbon, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism as a central regulator in order to combat the As stress.

The Institute will organize and lead interdisciplinary and collaborative research to design, assess and manage systems that meet societal needs in a more sustainable manner. Five priority research areas are identified below:

1. Global Change and Atmospheric Pollution

2. Natural Resource Management

3. Sustainable Agriculture

4. Alternate Energy Resources

5. Socio-Economic & Legal Dimensions of Sustainable Development