Assoc. Prof. Dr. SUDARSHANA BORAH KHANIKOR | PHYTOCHEMISTRY | Women Researcher Award

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR at THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, THE ASSAM ROYAL GLOBAL UNIVERSITY, India

Dr. Sudarshana Borah is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of pharmaceutical sciences, currently serving as an Associate Professor at Royal Global University. With a Ph.D. from Dibrugarh University, her research expertise encompasses natural products, pharmacology, and microbiology. Dr. Borah has made significant contributions to the scientific community, authoring numerous publications that have garnered over 494 citations, reflecting the impact of her work. Her dedication to advancing pharmaceutical education is evident through her roles as Vice Principal and Associate Professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), where she also coordinated the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and managed various academic and administrative responsibilities. Dr. Borah’s commitment to research excellence and education has been recognized through multiple awards, including the International Young Scientist Award in 2019. Her multifaceted career reflects a blend of scholarly achievement, leadership, and a passion for fostering innovation in pharmaceutical sciences.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Borah’s academic journey is marked by a series of notable achievements. She earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) degree from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Dibrugarh University in 2011, securing a commendable 68.02% marks. Demonstrating her commitment to further specialization, she qualified for the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) in 2011, obtaining an All India Rank of 9000, which facilitated her pursuit of a Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) with a specialization in Pharmacology. She completed her M. Pharm in 2013 with an impressive CGPA of 8.13 (81.3%). Dr. Borah’s academic pursuits culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from Dibrugarh University in 2021. Her doctoral research focused on investigating the neuroprotective efficacy of Curcuma caesia Roxb., a plant indigenous to Northeast India, under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Hemanta Kumar Sharma. This progression underscores her dedication to advancing her expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and contributing to indigenous medicinal research.

Professional Experience

Dr. Borah’s professional trajectory spans over eight years, characterized by a blend of teaching, research, and administrative roles. She has held the position of Vice Principal and Associate Professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). In this capacity, she has been instrumental in coordinating the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), managing social media outreach, convening departmental committee meetings, and serving as the member secretary of the School Research Committee. Her role also encompassed organizing events and seminars, reflecting her commitment to fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and research innovation. Dr. Borah’s leadership and dedication have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the pharmaceutical sciences department at USTM, enhancing both its academic standards and research output.

Research Interests

Dr. Borah’s research interests are deeply rooted in the exploration of natural products and their pharmacological applications. She has extensively studied the neuroprotective properties of indigenous plants from Northeast India, with a particular focus on Curcuma caesia Roxb. Her work delves into the phytochemical analysis and therapeutic potential of these plants in managing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Additionally, Dr. Borah has investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of various medicinal plants, aiming to identify bioactive compounds that could serve as leads for novel therapeutic agents. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between traditional ethnomedicine and modern pharmacological research, contributing to the development of alternative therapeutic strategies derived from natural sources.

Research Skills

Dr. Borah possesses a comprehensive skill set that underpins her research endeavors. Her expertise includes phytochemical screening, chromatographic techniques, and molecular docking studies, which she employs to elucidate the bioactive constituents of medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action. She is proficient in conducting in vitro and in vivo pharmacological assays to assess the efficacy of natural compounds in various disease models. Dr. Borah’s methodological rigor is complemented by her ability to integrate traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methodologies, enabling her to explore the therapeutic potential of ethnomedicinal plants systematically. Her skills in data analysis and interpretation further enhance the robustness of her research findings, contributing to the field of natural product pharmacology.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Dr. Borah has been the recipient of several prestigious awards that recognize her contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and research. Notably, she was honored with the International Young Scientist Award in 2019 by the International Science Community Association, acknowledging her innovative research and potential as a burgeoning scientist. In 2021, she received the Young Woman Scientist Award at the 5th International Conference on “Advances in Agriculture, Environmental and Biosciences for Sustainable Development,” organized by the Agro Environmental Development Society. Her excellence in research was further recognized with the Award of Excellence in Research by the Northeast Research Conclave at USTM. Additionally, Dr. Borah was bestowed with the Best Teacher Award in 2023 by the Research India Foundation in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, underscoring her dedication to education and mentorship in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Conclusion

Dr. Sudarshana Borah exemplifies a harmonious blend of academic excellence, research innovation, and leadership in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Her unwavering commitment to exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products, particularly those indigenous to Northeast India, has significantly contributed to the understanding and development of alternative medicinal therapies. Dr. Borah’s roles in academia, encompassing both teaching and administrative responsibilities, reflect her dedication to nurturing future generations of pharmaceutical professionals. Her accolades and extensive research portfolio stand as a testament to her impact on the scientific community. As she continues her career, Dr. Borah remains poised to make further strides in pharmaceutical research and education, fostering innovation and excellence in her field.