Prof. Sunita Kanikaram is a distinguished academic, researcher, and Professor in the field of Zoology and Aquaculture, with extensive contributions spanning parasitology, malaria research, HIV epidemiology, aquatic toxicology, and circadian biology. Her sustained academic career, substantial publication record, research innovations, and academic leadership demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing biological and health sciences.

Academic & Professional Background

Prof. Sunita Kanikaram joined the Department of Zoology and Aquaculture on 17 October 2006 as an Assistant Professor and progressed through successive academic levels, becoming Associate Professor in 2018 and Professor on 17 October 2021. She continues to serve as Professor in the department, demonstrating long-standing academic experience and institutional leadership.

Research & Scientific Contributions

Her research encompasses malaria, HIV/AIDS, parasitology, aquatic toxicology, medicinal plants, obesity, and circadian biology. Her notable work includes investigations into Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei, antimalarial drug efficacy, HIV prevalence and treatment outcomes, pesticide toxicity in freshwater organisms, and non-invasive interventions for experimental obesity.

A significant contribution of her malaria research has been the investigation of human P. falciparum development in a C57BL/6J mouse model, enabling studies of parasite progression, chemotherapy, and physiological, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological changes. Her studies also demonstrated the potential of artemisinin derivatives and combination therapies and identified medicinal plants with promising antimalarial activity. Extracts of Pongamia pinnata, Cleome viscosa, and Limonia acidissima showed particularly strong in-vitro activity, supporting the search for novel antimalarial agents in response to drug resistance.

Publications & Scholarly Output

Prof. Kanikaram has published 99 research papers in reputed journals, along with 6 books/book chapters, 1 journal abstract publication, and 3 papers in seminar volumes. Her scholarly output reflects sustained research activity across multiple areas of biological and biomedical sciences.

Academic Leadership & Professional Contributions

She has served as a reviewer for several national and international journals and has contributed as an editorial member and Associate Editor in Fisheries and Aquaculture. She is also a member of the Board of Studies in Zoology and Aquaculture at Acharya Nagarjuna University.

Prof. Kanikaram has participated in and presented research at 100 international and national conferences, seminars, and symposia. She has delivered invited guest lectures in areas including immunology, RNA synthesis, and protein synthesis. Her leadership extends to organizing national seminars, youth festivals, webinars, health-awareness programmes, and initiatives concerning women empowerment and social awareness.

Major Areas of Impact

• Malaria research: Antimalarial drug efficacy, parasite-host interactions, experimental models, and medicinal plant-based antimalarial agents.
• HIV research: Epidemiology, risk factors, opportunistic infections, ART outcomes, and HIV-TB co-infection.
• Aquatic toxicology: Effects of pesticides on freshwater fish and aquatic organisms.
• Circadian biology and obesity: Investigation of epigenetic diet, time-restricted feeding, and photobiomodulation as non-invasive approaches to improving obesity-associated alterations.
• Public health: Research addressing HIV, malaria, nutritional status, asthma risk factors, and health awareness.

Eligibility for Outstanding Scientist Award 

Prof. Sunita Kanikaram is eligible for the Outstanding Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels in recognition of her extensive academic career, 99 publications in reputed journals, authorship of 6 books/book chapters, participation in 100 national and international scientific conferences, and sustained interdisciplinary research contributions. Her pioneering investigations into malaria and antimalarial therapies, identification of medicinal plants with promising antimalarial activity, contributions to HIV and HIV-TB research, aquatic toxicology studies, and current work in circadian biology demonstrate scientific depth, innovation, and societal relevance. Her academic leadership, peer-review and editorial contributions, invited lectures, conference participation, and organization of scientific programmes further strengthen her credentials for recognition as an Outstanding Scientist.