SG

Dr. Saibal Ghosh

Tea Research Association, Indian Statistical Institute, Jadavpur University, West Bengal University of Technology

ORCID iD 0000-0002-1703-4456
Follow

About

My research career is driven by a commitment to addressing environmental and agricultural challenges that directly affect food security, ecosystem health, and sustainable development in resource-constrained regions. Trained at the interface of environmental science, microbial biotechnology, and data analytics, my work focuses on understanding and improving soil health, crop productivity, and environmental safety through scientifically rigorous and environmentally responsible approaches.

I currently hold an ANRF–National Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, India, where I investigate soil quality, trace-element dynamics, and microbial functionality in tea-based agro-ecosystems. Working in one of the world’s most important tea research centres has provided strong exposure to field-relevant agricultural problems, reinforcing the importance of linking fundamental research with translational outcomes that benefit growers, industry, and policy.

I completed my PhD at the Indian Statistical Institute (degree awarded by Jadavpur University, Kolkata). My doctoral research focused on isolating and characterising potassium-solubilising bacteria from mica-contaminated soils and developing biofertilizers to enhance crop productivity. Conducting research in mineralogically complex and environmentally stressed landscapes shaped my interest in soil–plant–microbe interactions and highlighted the need for data-driven tools to capture non-linear environmental processes. Earlier, I completed a Master’s degree in Genetic Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, which provided a strong foundation in molecular biology, microbiology, and environmental assessment.

A defining feature of my research is the integration of advanced statistical and machine-learning approaches with environmental and agricultural science. I have applied multivariate statistics, artificial neural networks, random forest models, and sensitivity analyses to interpret complex datasets related to soil nutrients, metal contamination, microbial diversity, and plant responses. These approaches enable predictive understanding and support evidence-based decision-making in heterogeneous agro-ecosystems.

My research spans soil nutrient dynamics, environmental pollution and health-risk assessment, and sustainable agricultural inputs. I have worked extensively on heavy metal and metalloid contamination in soil–water–plant–food systems, developing pollution indices and risk frameworks relevant to mining- and industry-impacted regions. In parallel, I actively pursue nature-based solutions, including microbial biofertilizers, vermicomposting, and mycorrhiza-assisted remediation, to reduce dependence on synthetic inputs and improve soil fertility.

More recently, my work has expanded into environmental nanotechnology, with a focus on green, biologically mediated synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their application in crop growth, stress tolerance, and micronutrient biofortification. This research bridges microbiology, plant physiology, and nanoscience, addressing how innovative technologies can be applied responsibly in agriculture.

I actively contribute to the scientific community as a peer reviewer for international journals and as an editorial board member with Springer Nature, and I am engaged in teaching and mentoring activities. The Newton International Fellowship represents a critical opportunity to gain advanced training in the UK, strengthen international collaboration, and develop globally relevant research while contributing to long-term capacity building. My long-term goal is to establish an independent, internationally connected research programme that delivers data-driven, sustainable solutions for agriculture and environmental protection.

Employment

  • Tea Research Association ANRF- National Post-Doctoral
    2024 - 2026
  • Indian Statistical Institute Visiting Scientist
    2023 - 2023
  • Indian Statistical Institute Project Linked Person
    2018 - 2021
  • Indian Statistical Institute Project Linked Person
    2015 - 2018
  • Indian Statistical Institute Project Linked JRF
    2014 - 2015
  • Indian Statistical Institute Project Linked JRF
    2013 - 2014

Education

  • Jadavpur University Ph.D. (Science)
    2018 - 2023
  • West Bengal University of Technology M.Sc.
    2011 - 2013
  • West Bengal University of Technology B.Sc.
    2008 - 2011

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (40)