Personal Information

Dr. Garima Kaushik

Associate Professor
Department of Environmental Science

M.Sc, NET-JRF (UGC), Ph.D (JNU, Delhi)

garimakaushik@curaj.ac.in
  • Bioremediation and Sustaianble Development Goals 
  • Remediation of Emerging contaminants (Microplastics, Pesticides, PAH, PPCPs BPA, Plastic additives)
  • Industrial Wastewater Treatment
  • Bioprocess Engineering
  • Solid and Plastic Waste Management
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • B. Sc. Industrial Microbiology, Maharani's College, University of Rajasthan, 2002
  • M.Sc. Environmnetal Science, University of Rajasthan, 2004
  • Ph.D. Environmental Biotechnology and Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 2009

  • Research Guidance

    Ph.D. Research  team:

  • Kritika Sharma: Assessment of microbial degradation of pharmaceutical compound in industrial waste ( Awarded)
  • Vidyalaxmi: Bioremediation of Cr (VI) from Tannery Effluents using Halo tolerant Microalgae (Awarded)
  • Sandeep Kumar:  Development of low cost biochars for soil application and  water treatment (Awarded)
  • Mohd. Ashraf  Dar : Design and Development of a Bioprocess for Bioremediation of Malathion by Micrococcus aloeverae and Bacillus sp. (Awarded)
  • MilapDashora:Reactive nitrogen dynamics in the aquatic ecosystems from semi-arid region of Rajasthan (submitted)
  • Preksha Palsania : Biodegradation of BPA in Food grade plastics (submitted)
  • Shalini Satya: Simultaneous Nutrient solubilization and pesticide degradation (since 2021)
  • Ommer Ahad Bhatt: Biodegradation of Microplastics from soil and aquatic environment (Since Feb: 2024)

 

 

 

 

Master’s thesis:  45 students guided

DST (Rajasthan) supported Student projects

Jeky Chanwala (2013-14): Biodegradation of Industrial effluents (Textile, Pulp & paper and Leather) Shivangi (2014-15):Application of statistical approach for process parameter optimization for bioremediation of industrial effluents

Piyush Tripathi (2017-18): Biodegradation of organophosphates

S. No. Authors Title of Article Journal/Conference Details Journal/Conference Publication Year
1 . . .

 

  1. Sivodia, C., Dar, M.A., Dashora, M ., Bhat, O.A., Patidar, S.K., & Kaushik, G. (2026) Hydrodynamic Fate and High-Hazard Source Apportionment of Microplastics in Freshwater Bodies of Semi-Arid Rajasthan, India Water Conservation Science and Engineering 11 (31). (I.F.  1.9).
  2. Satya, S., Dashora, M., Dar, M. A., Palsania, P., & Kaushik, G. (2026).  Bioedaphic stimulation and physiological response in Cicer arietinum bioaugmented with nutrient-solubilizing and pesticide-degrading Burkholderia species. Plant physiology and biochemistry,  231, 111016. (I.F.  5.7).
  3. Kaushik, G. Manuraj P., Dar, M.A., Palsania, P. Satya, S., Bhat, O. A., Patidar, S. K. (2026). Microplastic Exposure and its Impact on the Growth and Physiological Functions of Cicer arietinum.  Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2026.103920 (I.F.  3.8).
  4. Rivera-Rivera, D.M., Quintanilla-Villanueva, G.E., Luna-Moreno, D., Muthuswamy Ponniah, J., Rodríguez-Delgado, J.M., Cedillo-González, E.I., Kaushik, G., Villarreal-Chiu, J.F. and Rodríguez-Delgado, M.M., (2025). Enzymatic SPR Approach for the Detection of Nano and Microplastic Particles Using Rainwater as Matrices. Microplastics, 4(3), p.57. (I.F. 5.1).
  5. Dashora, M., Kumar, M., Kaushik, G., & Kumar, A. (2025). Exploring biogeochemical transformation in a hypertrophic lake with dual focus on environmental cues and potential functional fingerprints of littoral bacteria. Scientific Reports, 15, 31115. (I.F. 3.9).
  6. Shalni Satya, Milap Dashora, Preksha Palsania, Mohd Ashraf Dar, Garima Kaushik, (2025) Unraveling the potential of soil microbes for simultaneous nutrient solubilization and pesticide degradation toward sustainable agriculture, Pedosphere, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2025.02.001 (I.F. 7.3).
  7. Rivera-Rivera, D.M., Quintanilla-Villanueva G.E., Luna-Moreno D., Sánchez-Álvarez A., Rodríguez-Delgado J.M., Cedillo-González E.I., Kaushik G., Villarreal-Chiu J.F., Rodríguez-Delgado M.M. (2025). Exploring Innovative Approaches for the Analysis of Micro-and Nanoplastics: Breakthroughs in (Bio) Sensing Techniques. Biosensors. 15(1):44. (I.F. 5.6).
  8. Dar, M. A., Pandey, J., Kaushik, G. (2025). Optimizing malathion biodegradation by Bacillus cereus via a design of experiment framework. Bioremediation Journal, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10889868.2024.2448548. (I.F. 1.9).
  9. Dar, M. A., Palsania, P., Satya, S., Dashora, M., Bhat, O. A., Parveen, S., Patidar, S. Kaushik, G. (2025). Microplastic pollution: A global perspective in surface waters, microbial degradation, and corresponding mechanism. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 210, 117344 (I.F. 4.9).
  10. Shalni S., Palsania P., Dashora M., Kaushik, G., Sustainable Treatment of Endocrine Disruptive chemicals released from industries. Environmental Pollution Abatement & Disaster Management (ICEPADM-2024) Conference Proceeding  of 2nd International Conference on Environmental Pollution Abatement & Disaster Management (ICEPADM-2024) (2024), 35-53.
  11. Palsania P., Singhal K., Dar, M.A. and Kaushik, G., Food Grade Plastics and Bisphenol A: Associated risks, toxicity, and bioremediation approaches. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2024 15:466:133474.  doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133474 (IF 11.3)
  12. Dar, M.A. and Kaushik, G., 2023. Biodegradation of Malathion in Amended Soil by Indigenous Novel Bacterial Consortia and Analysis of Degradation Pathway. Soil Systems, 7(4), p.81 (I.F. 3.5).
  13. Maria Camila Ariza-Tarazona, Cristina Siligardi, Hugo Alejandro Carreón-López, José Enrique Valdéz-Cerda, Paolo Pozzi, Garima Kaushik, Juan Francisco Villarreal-Chiu, Erika Iveth Cedillo-González, (2023). Low environmental impact remediation of microplastics: Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of PET microplastics using bio-inspired C,N-TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 193, 115206, (I.F. 4.9).
  14. Mohd Ashraf Dar, Mohammad Anas, Kumari Kajal, Sandeep Kumar, Kaushik, G.  (2023). Adsorptive removal of crystal violet dye by Azadirachta indica (neem) sawdust: A low-cost bio-sorbent, Acta Ecologica Sinica 1 March 2023
  15. Dar, M. A., Hamid, B., & Kaushik, G. (2023). Temporal trends in the use and concentration of organophosphorus pesticides in Indian riverine water, toxicity, and their risk assessment. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 102814. (I.F.2.4)
  16. Dar, M. A., & Kaushik, G. (2023). Phytotoxic effects and persistence of malathion on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and assessment of health risks. Acta Ecologica Sinica, September 2022 pp.742-750.
  17. Dar, M.A., Chanwala, J., Meena,  P.C., Singh, A.P., Kaushik, G. 2022. Biodegradation of malathion by Micrococcus sp. strain MAGK3: kinetics and degradation fragments. Archives of Microbiology ,14 Jul 2022, 204(8):482 (I.F.  2.6)
  18. Dar, M.A., Meena, C., Kaushik, G. 2022. Pesticide consumption and investigation of usage patterns, handling practices, farmer’s education, perception on pesticide use, and biological response of earthworms to dichlorvos. Ecology, Environment and Conservation 28,551-557.
  19. Dar, M.A., Kaushik, G. 2022. Optimization of process parameters for biodegradation of malathion by Micrococcus aloeverae MAGK3 using Taguchi methodology and metabolic pathway analysis.  Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 102362 (I.S.  3.8)
  20. Dar, M.A., Kaushik, G. 2022. Optimizing the malathion degrading potential of a newly isolated Bacillus sp. AGM5 based on Taguchi design of experiment and elucidation of degradation pathway. Biodegradation 16 May 2022, 33(5):419-439 (I.F.  3.8)
  21. Barooah, B., Dar, M.A., Thakur, I. S. and Kaushik, G. 2022. Biochemical effects of three personal care products on growth and development in Cicer arietinum (chickpea) and Vigna aconitifolia (moth bean) Bioresource Technology Reports 16, 101051. (I.F.  4.3)
  22. Dar, M.A., Zahoor, A. B. and Kaushik, G. 2022. A Review on Phorate Persistence, Toxicity, and Remediation by Bacterial Communities. Pedosphere 32(1): 171–183, 2022 (I.F.  7.3)
  23. Sharma, K., Thakur I. S. and Kaushik, G., 2021 Occurrence and distribution of pharmaceutical compounds and their environmental impacts: A review. Bioresource Technology Reports 16, 100841 (I.F.  4.3).
  24. Kumar, S., Masto, R.E., and Kaushik, G. 2021. Thermally processed biochar: preparation, characterisation and their application for cadmium removal from surface and groundwater.  International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry DOI: 10.1080/03067319.2021.1958324 (I.F.  2.5)
  25. Kumar, S., Kaushik, G. and Masto, R.E., 2020. Evaluation of the Fuel Value and Soil Application Potential of the Cadmium Contaminated Biochar Obtained after Water Treatment. Solid Fuel Chemistry, 54(6), pp.411-417. (I.F.  0.9)
  26. Sharma, K., Kaushik, G., Thotakura, N., Raza, K., Sharma, N., & Nimesh, S., 2020. Enhancement effects of process optimization technique while elucidating the degradation pathways of drugs present in pharmaceutical industry wastewater using Micrococcus yunnanensis. Chemosphere, 124689.
  27. Vidyalaxmi, Kaushik, G. and Raza, K., 2019. Potential of novel Dunaliella salina from sambhar salt lake, India, for bioremediation of hexavalent chromium from aqueous effluents: An optimized green approach. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 180, pp.430-438. (I.F.  6.1)
  28. Sharma, K., Kaushik, G., Thotakura, N., Raza, K., Sharma, N., Nimesh, S. 2019. Fate of ibuprofen under optimized batch biodegradation experiments using Micrococcus yunnanensis isolated from pharmaceutical sludge. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, pp.1-14. (I.F.  3.4)
  29. Dar, M.A., Kaushik, G. and Villarreal-Chiu, J.F., 2019. Pollution status and bioremediation of chlorpyrifos in environmental matrices by the application of bacterial communities: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 239, pp.124-136. (I.F.  8.4)
  30. Acosta-Cortés, A.G., Martinez-Ledezma, C., López-Chuken, U.J., Kaushik, G., Nimesh, S. and Villarreal-Chiu, J.F., 2019. Polyphosphate recovery by a native Bacillus cereus strain as a direct effect of glyphosate uptake. The ISME journal. 13, pp.1497–1505  (I.F.  10)
  31. Chanwala, J., Kaushik, G., Dar, M.A., Upadhyay, S. and Agrawal, A., 2019. Process optimization and enhanced decolorization of textile effluent by Planococcus sp. isolated from textile sludge. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 13, pp.122-129. (I.F.  7.1)
  32. Kumar, S., Kaushik, G., Dar, M.A., Nimesh, S., Lopez-Chuken, U.J. and Villarreal-Chiu, J.F., 2018. Microbial degradation of organophosphate pesticides: a review. Pedosphere, 28(2), pp.190-208. (I.F.  7.3)
  33. Sharma K., Kaushik G., 2017. NSAIDS in the Environment: From Emerging Problem to Green Solution.  Annals  of Pharmacoogy and  Pharmaceutics; 2 (14) 1077. (I.F.  0.710)
  34. Kumar, S., Kaushik, G. and Villarreal-Chiu, J.F., 2016. Scenario of organophosphate pollution and toxicity in India: A review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(10), pp.9480-9491.
  35. Hamid, B., Kaushik, G. and Chawla, J., 2015. Isolation and development of efficient bacterial consortia for bioremediation of textile dye effluent. Journal of Pollution Effects & Control, pp.1-5. (I.F.  4.9)
  36. Kaushik, G. and Sharma, K.C., 2015. Climate change and rural livelihoods-adaptation and vulnerability in Rajasthan. Global NEST Journal, 17(1), pp.41-49. (I.F.  1.042)
  37. Banday U. J., Assawa A. and Kaushik G. 2014. Tourism and Its Impact on Economic Growth and Environment. The Asian Economic review (2014) 56 (3).
  38. Kaushik, G. and Thakur, I.S., 2014. Production of laccase and optimization of its production by Bacillus sp. using distillery spent wash as inducer. Bioremediation Journal, 18(1), pp.28-37. (I.F.  1.9)
  39. Kaushik, G. and Thakur, I.S., 2013. Purification, characterization and usage of thermotolerant laccase from Bacillus sp. for biodegradation of synthetic dyes. Applied biochemistry and microbiology, 49(4), pp.352-359. (I.F.  1.1)
  40. Kaushik, G. and Thakur, I.S., 2013. Adsorption of colored pollutants from distillery spent wash by native and treated fungus: Neurospora intermedia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20(2), pp.1070-1078.
  41. Kaushik G. 2012. Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods: An Analytical Study of MNREGS in the context of Sustainable Development in Rajasthan. Social Science Explorer, SSRC, 3: 69-79.  ISSN: 0976-1969.
  42. Kaushik G. and Sharma V.2011. Judicial activism for environmental protection in India. Social Science Explorer, SSRC, 2: 93-104.ISSN: 0976-1969.
  43. Kaushik G. 2011. Energy Conservation-Potential of Renewable Energy Resources.   Proceedings of International Seminar on Conservation of Energy, pg: 49.
  44. Kaushik G. 2011. Biomass- A sustainable, renewable source of Energy. Proceedings of International Seminar on Conservation of Energy, pg: 93.
  45. Kaushik G. 2011. Bioremediation of Distillery Spent Wash. Proceedings of National Conference on Environment degradation: “Issues and Challenges” ISBN 978-81-923088-0-7.
  46. Kaushik, G., Gopal, M. and Thakur, I.S., 2010. Evaluation of performance and community dynamics of microorganisms during treatment of distillery spent wash in a three stage bioreactor. Bioresource technology, 101(12), pp.4296-4305. (I.F.  9)
  47. Kaushik G. 2010. Decolorization and detoxification of distillery spent wash by microorganisms in three stage Bioreactor. Journal of Plant Science Research 26 (2): 193-200. ISSN: 0970-2539.
  48. Kaushik, G. and Thakur, I.S., 2009. Isolation of fungi and optimization of process parameters for decolorization of distillery mill effluent. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 25(6), p.955. (I.F. 4.2)
  49. Kaushik, G. and Thakur, I.S., 2009. Isolation and characterization of distillery spent wash color reducing bacteria and process optimization by Taguchi approach. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 63(4), pp.420-426. (I.F. 4.1)

1. UGC Start up grant on "Microbial degradation and decolourization of textile industry wastewater in Rajasthan" (2015-2017)

2. DST -CONACYT ON "Microbial process for the removal of organophosphorus pesticides in rural and urban water bodies"  ( Indo Mexico bilateral exchange Grant 2017-2020)

3. Core Research Grant  on Bacterial formulation(s) for organophosphate pesticide degradation, mineral solubilization and plant biostimulant production for sustainable agriculture in Rajasthan and KASHMIR"(2023-26)

4.. DBT Project on Remediaition of Microplastics from aquatic bodies (urban water bodies of Ajmer and Jaipur)  (2024-2026)

5. DST Nidhi iTBI Ignition Grant by CURAJ INCUBATION FOUNDATION, CURAJ (2025)

Attended

  1. Invited Talk on  “Bioremediation of emerging organic contaminants: focusing the SDGs in Poornima University Jaipur in Two Day National Seminar on Enzyme based biodegradation of Organic and Plastic waste during Feb. 3, 2026.
  2. Invited Talk on  “Protecting Health and Environment: Emerging contaminants and the SDGs in Mahatma Gandhi University Medical Sciences and Technology Jaipur of National Conference of Allied Health Sciences (NCAHS 1.0) Theme: Holistic Wellness through Allied Health: Integrating Science, Technology & Care during Jan 30, 2026.
  3. Invited Talk on Emerging contaminants to Greener Solutions: A way forward to achieve SDGs in National Workshop on Green Practices for Sustainable Development by Department of Chemistry and civil Engineering, SKIT, Jaipur, 12 Dec. 2025
  4. Invited Talk on Plastic Pollution" in a Symposium  organised by School of Environment and Sustainable Development in collaboration  With Department of Science and Technology- Centre for Policy Research, DSSTIP on  World Environment Day  5th June 2025.
  5. Invited Talk on “Role of Nurse in achieving Sustainable Development Goals” in Seedling school of Nursing , JNU, Jaipur on April 25, 2025
  6. Invited Talk on Analysis and remediation of additive chemicals in Food Grade Plastics at the International Conference on Pesticides and related emerging organic pollutants impact on the environment and human health and its remediation strategies conducted at East Point College of Engineering and Technology (EPCET), Bangalore-560049, India during 7-9, Nov. 2024.
  7. Invited Talk on A Quality Initiative on EARTH DAY Celebration (2024) Theme: Planet Vs. Plastics at Amity School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Haryana on 22nd April, 2024.
  8. Session Chaired at 2nd International Conference on Environmental Pollution Abatement and Disaster Management Department of Chemistry, SKIT, Jaipur, March 29, 2024.
  9. Invited Talk on Bioremediation: A Green Solution in National Workshop for Sustainable Development by Department of Chemistry and civil Engineering, SKIT, Jaipur, 8 Feb. 2024.
  10. Session Chaired in the XIV Annual Meeting of ISLS & International Conference on Impact of Environment, Food and Nutrition on Human Health organized by Centre for Converging Technologies and Internal Society for Life sciences during Dec. 22, 2023
  11. Invited Talk on Bisphenol A: Associated risks, toxicity and bioremediation approaches in XIV Annual Meeting of ISLS & International Conference on Impact of Environment, Food and Nutrition on Human Health organized by Centre for Converging Technologies and International Society for Life sciences during Dec. 22,  2023.
  12. Invited Talk on “Design and optimization of a bioprocess for bioremediation of malathion by Micrococcus aloeverae” in 41st Annual National conference of Indian Council of Chemists Material, Health & Environmental Science, at Department of Chemistry, Institute of Basic Sciences, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra 27-29, December, 2022.
  13. Invited Talk on “A hybrid artificial intelligence approach for biodegradation of Pharmaceutical compounds” in International conference on Environmental, Sustainable Development and Human Health, at SRK Government College, Rajsamand, Rajasthan, 16-17, December, 2022.
  14. Invited Talk in 7th International Congress on “CPD Accredited 7th World Congress on Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies” December 14, 2022 on “Evaluation of concentration and toxicity of Bisphenol A in food grade plastic and its degradation by bacteria”
  15. Invited Talk in 7th International Webinar on Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology Research, June 24, 2022 on “Distribution, fate and bioremediation of pharmaceutical compounds
  16. Invited Talk on “Bioremediation of Emerging Contaminants: Pharmaceutical compounds” in International Conference in current trends in waste treatment, reuse and valorization Organizing by School of Science, Sandip University, Nashik, Maharashtra in Association with Society for Green Environment, New Delhi, India 25-27th February 2022 (ONLINE)
  17. Invited Lecture on “Environmental issues regarding water and air pollution” at Government College, Kanwar Nagar, Jaipur, on 11.2.22
  18. International Webinar Conference on Food Nutrition & Dietetics , August 27, 2021 on  Bioremediation of Melanoidins: A culprit in distillery wastewater
  19. National e-Workshop on “Key Challenges and Options in Environmental Management, NITK, Surathkal, Karnataka, India, on 15-19, March 2021 (a) BioProcess Engineering: Taguchi Approach (b) Microbes in Environment Management: Emerging Contaminants
  20. Invited Lecture on “Cornona Pandemic and Environmental Effects” at Government College, Kanwar Nagar, Jaipur, on 12.3.21
  21. International Webinar Conference on Food Science & Nutrition , Jan 27, 2021on: Ibuprofen Degradation by Micrococcus Yunnanensis: Optimization and Exploration
  22. National Conference on “Newer Avenues in the field of Chemical science” 14-15 Feb, 2020, SKIT Jaipur on Biodegradation of emerging Contaminants: Pharmaceutical compounds
  23. International Conference “Environmental Analysis India” 25-26 April, 2019 in New Delhi. on Bioprocess Engineering for Biodegradation of Pharmaceutical Compounds
  24. National workshop on community based water management in Rajasthan, IGPRS, Jaipur, Rajasthan on August 24-26, 2015 on ILL water and its management- The role of governing bodies
  25. NATIONAL CONFERENCE on “New Dimensions in Green Technologies for Sustainable Development” (NCNDGS - 2014), SKIT, Jaipur  on February 21-22, 2014 on Bioremediation- A Biotechnological tool for environmental sustainability
  26. Climate Change Impacts and Societal Adaptation, Central University of Rajasthan, India, 7-8 November, 2013 on  Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods- An analysis of adaptation strategies in    Rajasthan
  27. WINERY -2013, (IWA CONFERENCE) Narbonne, France, May 26-30, 2013 on Biodegradation and detoxification of distillery effluent in a three stage bioreactor.
  28. Global Biofuels and Bioproducts Summit, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A. November 19-21, 2012 on Bioremediation of distillery spent wash in a pilot scale bioreactor using fungal    and bacterial strains.

Organized

  1. Two day workshop on “ Smart and Sustainable Strategies for Transforming Agriculture Under Extreme Climate” under  Social Scientific Responsibility (SSR) in SERB CRG Project on 4-5.Dec.2025.
  2. Organized GIAN program on “Renewable carbon and fuels from organic waste” during 7-11 April, 2025, funded by Ministry of Education.
  3. Organized National conference on "Women in Decision-Making and Leadership: Shattering Stereotypes and Creating Futures" on 3rd -4th December, 2024, under the aegis of Women Cell in capacity of Organizing Secretary.
  4. Organized an Exhibition on  Seeds of Hope and Action- Making the SDGs a Reality (SOHA) in collaboration with BSG, New Delhi on 15.10.24
  5. Organized Two Day Training Programme on "Sustainable Horizons: Navigating Solid and Plastic Management towards a Zero-Waste Campus” in department of EVS, sponsored by RGNIYD during 13-14.3.24
  6. One day Research Facility Training Program on Use of Molecular Tools in Environmental Biotechnology  under  Social Scientific Responsibility (SSR) in SERB CRG Project on 5.2.2024.
  7. Organized a Youth Development Program on “A Purview of Dimensions, Career Amplitudes and Applied Research Latitudes in Multi-Disciplinary Realm of Environmental Science” in department of EVS, sponsored by RGNIYD during 14-15.3.22