Assoc. Prof. Sumit Deb is a senior academician and one of the leading educators in Chemistry from the northeastern region of India. With 32 years of teaching experience and 17 years of active research, he is currently serving as Associate Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry at St. Edmund’s College, Shillong. His work reflects a deep commitment to both scientific research and nurturing the next generation of scientists.

Research Contributions & Expertise

His primary research focus lies in the Bioremediation of toxic pollutants, particularly those emanating from fossil fuel processing and textile industries. Over the last two decades, he has made significant contributions to environmental biotechnology by working on:

• Bioremediation of industrial toxins using cyanobacteria

• Development of a novel bioreactor technology currently undergoing patenting process

• Research to reduce industrial waste impact on ecology and human health

He has successfully completed government and industry-funded projects, including grants from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Assam.
Several research papers from this work are already published, with more currently under review for publication in indexed journals.

Publications (Selected)

• Bioremediation using Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis for oil refinery waste

• Effect of ETP sludge on biodegradation potential of cyanobacteria

• Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of filamentous heterocystous cyanobacterium

• Antibacterial and in-silico studies of Rumex nepalensis leaf extract

His bibliometric indicators highlight strong scientific impact and citation presence in reputed databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed.

Leadership, Academic Governance & Social Outreach

Assoc. Prof. Deb holds multiple prestigious academic body memberships at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU):

• Member – Board of Studies (Chemistry & Nanotechnology)

• Member – School of Technology

• Observer – National Testing Agency (NTA), MoE, Govt. of India

He also carries crucial institutional responsibilities at St. Edmund’s College since 2018, including:

• Coordinator – NIRF India Rankings

• Convener – SEC-IIC (Institution Innovation Council)

• Advisor – DBT Star College Scheme

• Mentor – Atal Tinkering Labs

• IQAC Coordinator (2022–Present)

Beyond his academic duties, he has been deeply involved in capacity-building initiatives for rural school students, motivating them toward careers in Basic Sciences through UBA and mentorship programs — a mission that has shown commendable success.

Eligibility for Award

With his distinguished teaching career, notable leadership roles, impactful research in environmental bioremediation, student mentorship, and contributions toward innovation-driven education,
Assoc. Prof. Sumit Deb is highly deserving of the “Best Academician of the Year” Award in Scientific Laurels.
His commitment to academic excellence and societal development continues to advance science education and environmental sustainability in India