Prof. Chitta Ranjan Deb is a distinguished plant biotechnologist and academic leader with over 28 years of postgraduate teaching and research experience at Nagaland University, Lumami. He is currently serving as Senior Professor in the Department of Botany (September 2023–Present), where he continues to lead research initiatives in conservation biotechnology and plant propagation. Additionally, he served several key institutional positions including Director of IQAC, IPR Cell In- charge, and Dean of the School of Sciences.

Previously, he served as Professor in the Department of Botany (September 2013–September 2023), Associate Professor (October 2012–September 2013), and held various administrative roles including Head of Department of Botany (2012–2015; 2020–2023), Dean of Students Welfare (2016–2019), and Director of the Centre for Biodiversity Studies (2012–2015), Director of IQAC (2024-25), IPR Cell In-charge (2024-25), and Dean of the School of Sciences (2025).

Research & Publications

Prof. Deb has established a comprehensive research programme focused on conservation biotechnology, clonal propagation, somatic embryogenesis, and cryopreservation of rare, threatened, medicinal and economically important forest plants, particularly orchids and medicinal species of North-East India. His research contributions are substantial and internationally recognized, comprising 162 research papers published in peer-reviewed and indexed journals, 17 review articles, 19 book chapters, and 3 popular articles. His total publication output stands at 195 scholarly works.

His publications are extensively cited by internationally renowned scientists and have been indexed by major international indexing agencies. Recent notable publications include work on nutritional profiling of wild Musa species, antidiabetic evaluation of medicinal orchids, molecular identification of epiphytic orchids using DNA barcoding, and studies on plant-soil-microbe interactions in shifting cultivation systems.

Patents, Books & Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Deb holds 8 patent applications, of which 5 have been granted (one Indian patent and four international patents granted in Germany and South Africa). His patents address novel bacterial consortia for plant growth enhancement under stress conditions and innovative biofertilizer formulations. He has authored 3 books published by national publishers: Orchid Diversity of Nagaland (2008), Bioresources and Sustainable Livelihood of Rural India (2021, edited), and Bioresources: Conservation and Sustainability (2024, edited). Additionally, 4 books are currently under publication.

Research Projects & Funding

Prof. Deb has successfully completed 18 major research projects and 5 postdoctorate projects funded by leading national agencies including the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, the G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Currently, 6 research projects, programmes and consultancies are active, with a combined budget exceeding ₹580 lakhs. Recent funded projects include characterization of medicinally important orchids (₹96.24 lakhs), bioprospecting of Anishi for commercial development (₹82.99 lakhs), and characterization of essential oil-yielding medicinal species (₹140.97 lakhs).

He is the Coordinator of the DBT-sponsored Advanced-Level Institutional Biotech Hub, which has led to significant innovations including development of a one-step hardening protocol for tissue-cultured plants and low-cost agar alternatives using locally available raw materials—innovations with significant potential to reduce costs in plant tissue culture production.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Prof. Deb has delivered postgraduate instruction in Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Plant Physiology for over two decades. Under his mentorship, 26 scholars have been awarded Ph.D. degrees, with one scholar having presented a pre-submission seminar and 9 scholars currently pursuing doctoral research. This record reflects his commitment to research supervision and capacity building in plant science.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Prof. Deb has organized 34 national workshops, seminars, training programmes and short-term skill development courses, covering topics ranging from bioinformatics and molecular profiling to entrepreneurship development for tribal youth and conservation of medicinal plants. He has also participated in 28 national and international conferences and workshops, presenting 32 papers and delivering invited lectures and chairmanships on topics including orchid propagation, tissue culture innovation, and bioresource conservation at institutions such as GBPIHED Almora, Rajiv Gandhi University, and international venues in Berlin and Dubai.

He has completed 6 refresher and training courses spanning DNA cloning, biosafety protocols and life sciences, demonstrating continuous professional development. He serves as journal referee for 43 peer-reviewed journals of national and international repute, including Plos One, Scientific Reports, Plant Cell Tissue & Organ Culture and others. He is also a member of 9 editorial boards of academic journals.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Prof. Deb's contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: FNRS (Fellow of the International Society of Conservation of Natural Resources) in 2007, International Scientist Award 2021 (Outstanding Scientist Award) in Engineering, Science and Medicine from VDGOOD Professional Association, Avishkar Achievers Award (Dynamic Professor Award) in 2023 from Avishkar Foundation Solapur, Karl Ereky Legendary International Education & Research Excellence Award in Plant Science 2024 from IMRF Institute of Higher Education & Research, and MBSI Lifetime Devotion Award 2024 from the Microbiologist's Society, India. He holds membership in 12 national and international academic organizations, including the International Society for Conservation of Natural Resources, The Orchid Society of India, Indian Science Congress Association, and the Asian Council of Science Editors.

He is designated as Expert Panel Member of the National Certification System for Tissue Culture Raised Plants (NCS-TCP) by the Government of India's Department of Biotechnology, Project Proposal Reviewer for the Department of Biotechnology, Continuous Reviewer for CSIR-FIRST Scheme, and DST-Science and Engineering Research Board Reviewer since 2022. He has also served as Project Evaluator for NMHS under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and UGC Expert Panel Member for evaluation of research proposals.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Deb has provided exemplary institutional leadership through multiple administrative roles. As Head of the Department of Botany for two terms, he strengthened research infrastructure and academic programs. His tenure as Director of IQAC and Dean of the School of Sciences demonstrates his commitment to institutional quality assurance and administrative excellence. He was instrumental in coordinating major research funding initiatives including UGC-SAP-DRS(III) (₹120 lakhs) and DST-FIST Level I (₹103 lakhs), significantly enhancing the department's research capabilities. He also served as Advisor cum Chairman of the Equal Opportunity Cell and Chairman of the Nagaland University Biodiversity Committee, reflecting his broader institutional commitment to equity and environmental stewardship.

He has travelled to Nepal, Thailand, Germany and the United Arab Emirates in connection with academic and research activities, maintaining international scholarly engagement.

Eligibility for Nobel Professor Award

Prof. Chitta Ranjan Deb demonstrates exceptional credentials across all dimensions of academic excellence. His 28+ years of dedicated teaching and research experience, 195 scholarly publications, 8 patents, leadership of 18 completed and 6 ongoing major research projects valued at over ₹700 lakhs, mentorship of 26 Ph.D. scholars, and numerous prestigious national and international awards collectively establish a distinguished career trajectory. His research innovations in low-cost tissue culture protocols and conservation biotechnology address critical developmental challenges for North-East India. His consistent engagement in peer review, editorial responsibilities, expert panel participation, and institutional administration demonstrates exemplary professional citizenship.

Based on the comprehensive achievements, sustained research productivity, significant funding record, scholarly impact, and institutional leadership demonstrated throughout his career, Prof. Chitta Ranjan Deb is eligible for consideration for the Nobel Professor Award in Scientific Laurels, particularly in recognition of his outstanding contributions to plant biotechnology, conservation science, research innovation, academic mentorship, and scientific leadership.