Ms. Anagha Raju is a Doctoral Research Scholar in Zoology (Aquaculture) at the University of Kerala, specializing in low-cost Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofiltration, water-quality management, indigenous fish culture, fish nutrition, and sustainable aquaculture. Her doctoral research focuses on developing resource-efficient RAS technologies using locally available and sustainable materials, with particular emphasis on biofilter development and microbial communities. She also gained industry exposure as a Research Intern at eFishery AquaTech Company from December 2023 to January 2024.

Research Contributions & Expertise

Ms. Raju's research addresses important challenges in sustainable aquaculture, including reducing the cost of RAS infrastructure, improving water quality, developing alternative biofilter media, conserving indigenous fish diversity, and exploring locally available resources for fish nutrition. Her methodological expertise includes 16S rRNA V3–V4 sequencing, QIIME2-based microbial community analysis, R-based statistical analysis, PCA, PERMANOVA, regression, correlation, multivariate analysis, Circos, and MEGA X.

Awards, Honors & Recognitions

Ms. Raju has received several academic and research recognitions. She was the 2023 Kvarøy Arctic Women in Aquaculture Global Scholarship recipient representing India, selected from an international pool spanning more than 50 countries. She received Best Presentation Awards in 2025 and 2026 for research on sustainable RAS and alternative biofilter media. She was also the Kerala State-Level Winner of the Young Innovative Programme (YIP) in 2022, Government of Kerala, for an innovative low-cost fish-feed initiative. Earlier, she received a Best Presentation Award at AIAM-2021 for research on Azolla as a fish-feed ingredient and a Medal of Appreciation in a Global Bird Photography Contest in 2023.

Publications & Scientific Presentations

Ms. Raju has contributed to research publications, book chapters, conference proceedings, and abstracts in aquaculture and life sciences. Her publications cover RAS sustainability, the Blue Revolution, biofilter technologies, and the use of Azolla as a fish-feed ingredient. She has presented her research at prominent scientific events including the Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, Kerala Science Congress, International Conference on Frontiers in Marine Sciences, International Conference on One Health, and International Conference on Frontiers in Life Science.

Research Impact & Future Potential

Her research demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach linking aquaculture, environmental sustainability, microbial ecology, biodiversity conservation, food security, and rural livelihood development. Her focus on affordable RAS technologies and locally sourced biofilter materials has potential relevance for small-scale and resource-constrained aquaculture communities. Her work also supports sustainable utilization of resources while contributing to the conservation of indigenous fish diversity.

Eligibility for Young Researcher Award 

Ms. Anagha Raju is eligible for the Young Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels based on her emerging research profile in sustainable aquaculture, doctoral-level research contributions, scientific publications, conference presentations, and multiple recognitions. Her Kvarøy Arctic Women in Aquaculture Global Scholarship, Kerala State-Level YIP Winner recognition, three Best Presentation Awards, publications and book chapters, and continued research on low-cost RAS and biofiltration demonstrate promising research potential and a clear commitment to innovation in aquaculture. Her work aligns strongly with the objectives of recognizing young researchers demonstrating scientific innovation, research excellence, and potential for meaningful contributions to their field