I obtained my master’s degree in Botany with specialization in Microbiology and doctoral degrees in the area of Mycorrhizal Biotechnology from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. Then, I moved to Division of Soil-Water-Plant Relationship, Central Arid Zone Research Institute (ICAR), Jodhpur for my post doctoral studies where I worked in the area in the area of Soil Fertility, Microbiology and Plant Physiology. Subsequently, I have been awarded with Young Scientist Project by Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi to study on “Conservation of some endangered medicinal plants of Indian Thar Desert by arbuscular mycorrhizae”. I was Project Investigator of this project during 2003-2005. Presently, I am working as Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences Group, BITS, Pilani since October 2005.

Courses taught / teaching/planning to teach:

• Cell & Tissue Culture Technology (BIO G641)
• Microbiology (BIO C241)
• General Physiology (BIO C342)
• General Biology (BIO C111)
• Laboratory (BIO C411)
• Measurement Techniques I (TA C211)
• Biology Project Lab (BIO C231)
• Study Oriented Project (BITS C324)
• Professional Practice I (BITS G620)
• Professional Practice II (BITS G621)
• Bio-nanotechnology
• Mycorrhizal Biotechnology

Research Interest:

• Bionanotechnology, Nano-fertilizers, Plant-microbe interactions, Microbial and Mycorrhizal Biotechnology, AMF Root Organ Culture, Microbial decomposition, Bioremediation, Biomineralization, Soil biological health indicators, Microbial molecular biology.
• My current research interest is interfacing plants with inorganic nanomaterials. Presently, I am working on World Bank funded NAIP-ICAR Project focused on the biosynthesis of nano-particles of Fe, Zn, Mg & P and assessing their potential towards enhancing the microbial polysaccharides production and utilization of native soil phosphorus. One Senior Research Fellow is working with me.

Research Projects:

Ongoing:

·        “Nano-technology for enhanced utilization of native- phosphorous by plants and higher moisture retention in arid soils” in collaboration with IIT, Mumbai; PAU, Ludhiana; IISS, Bhopal & CAZRI, Jodhpur, funded by World Bank under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) of ICAR, New Delhi (3.726 Crores) (2008-2012).

Senior Research Fellow Position (New)

Completed:

• “Conservation of some endangered medicinal plants of Indian Thar Desert by arbuscular mycorrhizae” funded by DST, New Delhi under SERC Scheme (11.28 Lakhs) (2003-2005).

Awards/Honours:

• Awarded DST Young Scientist Fellowship Project by DST, New Delhi under SERC Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientist.
• Awarded University Research Scholarship during Ph.D. by Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur.
• Earned position in the renowned books published by Marquis Who’s Who LLC, United States of America.
• Bio-graphy published in various books by International Biographical Center (IBC), Cambridge, England.
• Qualified State Level Eligibility Test in Botany (RPSC) in 2001.

Professional Affiliation:

·        Associate Editor for Advances in Environmental Biology

·        Associate Editor for American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

·        Associate Editor for World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 

·        Technical Editor for Research Journal of Soil Biology

·        Reviewer for Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

·        Life member, Association of Microbiologists of India

·        Life member, The Arid Zone Research Association of India

Administrative Activities:

• Non-Resident Warden (NRW), Shankar Bhawan, BITS, Pilani, India since July, 2007.
• Technical Coordinator, Biotechnology Group, Centre for Desert Development Technologies, BITS, Pilani, India since October, 2005.
• On Examiners Panel for J.N.V. University, Jodhpur; Bikaner University, Bikaner and Amity University, Jaipur.

Selected Recent Publications:

1.     Tarafdar, J.C., Bareja, M. and Panwar, J. 2003. Efficiency of some phosphatase producing soil-fungi. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 43: 27-32.

2.      Praveen-Kumar, Tarafdar, J.C., Panwar, J. and Kathju, S. 2003. A rapid method for assessment of residue quality. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 166: 662-666.

3.   Meena, S.C., Panwar, J., Tarafdar, J.C., Kumar, P. and Kathju, S. 2004.  Activities of some degrading enzymes during decomposition of pearl millet and wheat straw. Annals of Arid Zone, 43(2): 165-176.

4.   Panwar, J., Saini, V.K., Tarafdar, J.C., Praveen-Kumar and Kathju, S. 2005. Changes in labile P status under different cropping systems in an arid environment. Journal of Arid Environment, 61: 137-145.

5.     Panwar, J. and Tarafdar, J.C. 2006. Distribution of three endangered medicinal plant species and their colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.  Journal of Arid Environment, 65: 337-350.

6.   Panwar, J. and Tarafdar, J.C. 2006. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal dynamics under Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. in Thar Desert. Applied Soil Ecology, 34: 200-208.

7.    Panwar, J., Tarafdar, J.C., Yadav, R.S., Saini, V.K., Aseri, G.K. and Vyas, A. 2007. Technique for visual demonstration of germinating AM spore and their multiplication in pots. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 170: 659-663.

8.  Praveen-Kumar, Kathju, S., Panwar, J., Saini, V.K. and Tarafdar, J.C. 2007. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities in soils under arid ecosystems as influenced by tillage, soil depth and crop rotation. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 55: 488-492.

9.     Aseri, G.K., Jain N., Panwar, J., Rao, A.V. and Meghwal, P.R. 2008. Biofertilizers improve plant growth, fruit yield, nutrition, metabolism and rhizosphere enzyme activities of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Indian Thar Desert. Scientia Horticulture, 117: 130-135.

10.   Verma, N., Tarafdar, J.C., Srivastava, K.K. and Panwar, J. 2008. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) diversity in Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce under arid agroecosystems. Agricultural Sciences in China, 7: 101-105.

11.   Mehrotra, R. and Panwar, J. 2009. Dimerisation of GT element  interferes negatively with gene activation. Journal of Genetics (In Press).

1.      Tarafdar, J.C. and Panwar, J. 2008. Role of arbuscular mycorrhizae in P nutrition of plants under arid and semi-arid environments. In: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in arid and semi-arid ecosystems (Micorrizas arbusculares en ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos), Montaño N.M., Camargo-Ricalde S.L., García-Sánchez R., Monroy-Ata, A. (Eds.), Mundi-Prensa México, S.A., Rio Pánuco, Col. Cuauhtémoc,  México, pp. 40-53.

2.      Yadav, R.S., Panwar, J., Tarafdar, J.C., Yadav, B.K. and Dave, S. 2008. Role of arbuscular mycorrhizae in dry land agriculture. In: Organic Agriculture, Tarafdar, J.C., Tripathi, K.P., Kumar, Mahesh (Eds.), Indian Society of Soil Science and Scientific Publishers, India, pp. 125-148.

3  Panwar, J., Yadav, R.S., Yadav, B.K. and Tarafdar, J.C. 2008. Arbuscular mycorrhizae: A dynamic microsymbiont for sustainable agriculture. In: Mycorrhizae: Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Siddiqui, Akhtar and Futai (eds.), Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 159-176

Selected presentation in Symposium/Conference:

1.    Panwar, J., Saini, V.K. and Yadav, R.S. 2004. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. In: IUFRO International conference, Multipurpose trees in the Tropics: Assessment, Growth and Management, November 22-25, AFRI, Jodhpur, p. 93.

2.  Aseri, G.K., Rao, A.V., Panwar, J. and Gadi, B.R. 2005. Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizers on biomass production, rhizosphere activity and nutrient uptake of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana var. rotundifoila Lamk.). In: National Seminar on Commercialization of Horticulture in Non-Traditional Areas, Indian Society for Arid Horticulture, February 05-06, CIAH, Bikaner, p. 43.

3. Sarwa, P. and Panwar, J. 2007. Integration of micropropagation and mycorrhization techniques: a quest for sustainable and large scale production of Jatropha curcas. In: International Symposium on Applied Phycology and Environmental Biotechnology, October 29-31, BITS, Pilani, p. 71-72.

4.    Panwar, J., Tarafdar, J.C., Yadav, B.K., Saini, V.K. and Yadav, R.S. 2007. Growth and nutrient uptake of Leptadenia reticulata as influenced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in arid environment. In: International Symposium on Organic Farming and Renewable Sources of Energy for Sustainable Agriculture, November 19-21, MPUAT and MLSU, Udaipur, p. 75.

5.      Purohit, P., Vyas, M. and Panwar, J. 2008. Neem: A potential contraceptive. In: International Conference on the Interface of Chemistry-Biology in Biomedical Research, February 22-24, 2008, BITS, Pilani, p. 287.

6.      Mehrotra, R., Swapnil and Panwar, J. 2008. Global warming: A monster in action. In: National Symposium on Global Warming The Burning Issue, March 5, 2008, Engineering College, Bikaner, p. 14-15.

7.      Vani, B., Mehrotra, R. and Panwar, J. 2008. Global warming: An alarm to disaster. In: National Symposium on Global Warming The Burning Issue, March 5, 2008, Engineering College, Bikaner, p. 49.