Department of Zoology

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

       The Department came into existence with the establishment of the Facultyof Science in this University in 1958 under the academic leadership of Prof.H.S. Chaudhry, as first Professorand Head. It mainly provides opportunities for Bachelors, Master and Doctoraldegrees for students who not only live in Eastern Uttar Pradesh but also,attract students from all over the country as well. There has been an increasein the number of research students also, their strength during 1958-1963 was17, but now it has increased two fold. Majority ( more then 80%) of theresearch students are getting CSIR, UGC, ICAR, UPCST, DBT, DST and DOE Researchfellowships directly or under various research schemes sanctioned to the academicstaff.

      Atthe under graduate level, the Department has modified the courses in the lightof UGC instructions from classical to modern Zoology by introducing papers suchas Cell Biology, Environmental Biology, Embryology, Mammalian Physiology,Biochemistry, Toxicology, Parasitology, Economic Zoology. Similarly the M.Sc.Course was thoroughly overhauled and more emphasis has been laid on theteaching of advanced instructions in the disciplines of Biological Chemistry,Comparative Animal Behaviour, Modern Concept of Animal Development andMorphogenesis, Economic Zoology, Wildlife, Conservation etc. In addition, theDepartment facilities for specialization in three subjects at the post-graduatelevels these are Cell Biology, Fishery Biology and Entomology.

The Department maintains a high level ofresearch in a wide variety of fields, while reaching excellence in selectedareas as developmental biology, biological control of insect pests,reproductive biology of aphid parasitoids, ecotoxicology, endocrine regulationof calcium in vertebrates, sericulture, control measures of harmful gastropodsby using biopesticides, animal behavior and insect biochemistry and physiologyetc.

The Department is also positively contributingby intensifying its research activities on applied programmes related to theneeds of region country’s overall welfare such as those in areas of control ofpests, fishery development and environmental biology. The Department isfortunate in having a good number of experts, many of whom have collaboratedwith eminent Biologist in laboratories abroad, viz. Prof. Kaushal Kumar visitedHolland, hungry work on Imaginal Discs and Developmental genetics. Prof. C.P.M.Tripathi obtained Fullbright and Royal Society Fellowship for Post Doctoralresearch work in U.S.A. and U.K. respectively on the aphid kairomonesattracting the parasitoids. Dr. A.K. Srivastav visited the Netherlands, Japan,and Germany to work on Endocrine regulation calcium in vertebrates. Prof .K.Pandey is recognized internationally for his research work on chronobiology,ecotoxicology and reproductive biology of fishes. Aphidology (Biologicalcontrol of aphids by using their natural enemies and aphid biodiversities) isanother branch of research, carried out by Prof.C.P.M.Tripathi and Prof.Rajendra Singh, which has one international laurel to the Department. Prof.A.K. Singh is known for researches on fish toxicology and vertebratereproductive endocrinology. Dr. Ajay Kumar Srivastav has obtained YoungScientist Award from the highest academic body of the country INSA, New Delhion his contribution in the field of calcium regulation in vertebrates and hasalso awarded the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship by the Commission ofEuropean Communities. Dr V.B. Upadhayay’s silkworm laboratory is one of theleading laboratories where basic studies on the silkworm are being carried out.Dr. D.K. Singh and Dr. Ajay Singh have established themselves internationallyin the field of formulation and use of biopesticides against harmful snails andweed fishes. Dr V.B. Kushwaha is working on controlled/ sustained released ofbiologically active compounds from various polymeric matrices. Dr. R.K.Upadhaya is actively engaged in isolation and production of polyclonalantibodies against animal toxins. Endocrinology Laboratory of Prof. S. K.Srivastav is doing research on different calcium regulating hormones, theireffect on reproductive physiology of vertebrates and toxic effect ofmicrocystins on endocrine system of vertebrates. Malacology Laboratory of Prof.Vinay K. Singh is actively engaged in the study of molluscan physiology,biochemistry and snail control. The research team of this lab has reported thenucleotide sequencing of Fasciola gigantic and their larvae.Vermi-technology laboratory of Dr. Keshav Singh is working in the area ofvermi-technology and waste management. He has expertise in production ofvermi-compost from different waste materials. Entomology Laboratory of Dr. S.K. Tiwari investigates the effect of synthetic and natural insecticides incontrol of harmful effects of stored grains, synergistic action of insecticideand hormones for effective control of stored grain pest. Dr. R. P. Yadavfocuses on studying the mechanism of control of vector snails and fresh waterpredatory fishes using both natural and synthetic pesticides. He evaluatestoxicity of pesticides via biochemical, physiological and genotoxic experimentsagainst freshwater fishes. He was awarded young scientist award by council ofScience and technology, Uttar Pradesh Government in the year 2005-06 for hiswork. Dr. Kapinder who started his career in teaching as Assistant professor inKirorimal College in University of Delhi is trained meticulously in the insectrearing techniques (agricultural pests and parasitoids), insect behavior, andbiological control of insect pests. He has contributed more than 35 e-contentsin ePG pathshala for PG students. Dr Sushil Kumar is a passionate researcherand teacher in the field of cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Cytogenetics, Gastroenterologyand Biostatistics. He has been awarded two best paper presentation awards severaladvanced research centers and highly professional institutions like NCCS, ITRC,CDRI, CIMAP, CIBC, ZSI, are associated with the Department for academic andresearch activities.

        The outstanding research output of the department is indicated bypublication of more than 2534 full research papers and 113 review articles inwidely circulated international journals of good impact factors. Activeparticipation of the faculty members in more the 200 national and internationalconference and about a dozen books published by the faculty members indicatethe vibrant academic life of the department. Since its establishment about 400students were awarded Ph.D. and two were conferred D.Sc. in Zoology. Facultymembers of the department have successfully completed many projects funded bynational agencies like CSIR, UGC, UPCST, ICAR, DBT, DST and DOE. The departmenthas successfully conducted 3 international, 5 national conferences, 6 refreshercourses, 4 short term workshops and all faculty members have been activelydelivering lectures in different institutions, colleges and UGC HR centers.Faculty members of the department are actively engaged in the corporate life ofthe university to maintain healthy and disciplined atmosphere in theuniversity.

Department of Zoology believes in carryingresearch from lab to land. Following this theme a farmer’s awareness programmewas organized by the department on vermi-composting, Bio-pesticides and theiruses on 27 February 2018. Celebration of world environment day, world ozoneday, wild life week etc. to initiate awareness about environmental issues is aregular feature of the department.

Books/Chapters in books and conference proceedings

• The department has published more than 2534 full length research papers and 113 review articles in the journals of international repute and published a dozen books in reputed international and national academic publication

• The faculty members of the department actively participated in more than 200 national and international conferences.

• Faculty members of department has successfully completed research projects sanctioned by national and state agencies like CSIR, UGC, ICR, DBT, DST, DOE and UPCST

• Prof. Ajay Kumar Srivastava has obtained Saraswati Samman of the Uttar Pradesh Government

• Startup Grant of UGC has been sanctioned to newly appointed faculty member Dr. Ram Pratap Yadav.

• Most of the faculty members received prestigious award from the different academic and scientific bodies.

• Department of Zoology done the programme on Vermi compost