Ankur is an assistant professor of environmental pollution and toxicology at the Azim Premji University, Bengaluru - India.

As an undergraduate, he was trained as a fisheries professional; however, he chose to study abiotic stress physiology of aquatic animals for his higher education.

He is passionate about creating awareness on environmental issues through data-backed arguments, and this blog is a part of that effort. When not teaching, he likes to listen to music or go for street photography.

Education

PhD in Biology (Aquatic Ecotoxicology) | University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon | Saskatchewan, Canada

MFSc (Master of Fisheries Science) in Fish Physiology and Biochemistry | Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai | Maharashtra, India

BFSc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) | Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur | Kerala, India

Experience

Feb 2023 – current: Assistant Professor | Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Sept 2018 – Feb 2023: Assistant Professor | Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India

Jan 2018 – Sept 2018: Postdoctoral fellow (Dr. Steve Wiseman’s lab) | University of Lethbridge, Canada

Selected Awards and Honours

  • 2013 – ICAR International Fellow 2013

  • 2013 – Awarded Senior Research Fellowship by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for pursuing Ph.D. programme in India – Declined the offer.

  • 2012 – Awarded ICAR International fellowship by Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India for doctoral degree programme.

  • 2012 – Awarded MEXT Japanese government scholarship for doctoral degree programme to study effect of climate change on fish reproduction – Declined the offer.

  • 2012 – Gold medalist in the master’s degree programme.

  • 2012 – Awarded best M.F.Sc. graduate researcher at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai.

  • 2012 – Awarded “Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award – Endowment Gold medal of Kerala Agricultural University” for securing highest O.G.P.A. for B.F.Sc. degree programme and for consistent achievement in academics.

  • 2010 – University gold medal in the undergraduate course.

  • 2010 – Awarded Best Fisheries Graduate of India 2010-11 by Professional Fisheries Graduate Forum of India.

  • 2010 – Awarded Junior Research Fellowship (JRF-PGS) by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

  • 2010 – Received National Talent Scholarship by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for the entire four year tenure of Bachelors’ degree programme.

Publications

Please refer to my Google Scholar page for updated list of publications.

I am also available on ResearchGate, if that is your thing.

Courses designed

  • Environmental pollution 1 (general introduction to air, water and soil pollution)

  • Environmental pollution 2 (transportation and fate of air, water and soil pollutants)

Ongoing research projects

  • Assessment of dietary exposure to arsenic in human population inhabiting the Buxar region of Bihar