Dr. Smitha Hegde, Associate Professor Academic Qualifications: M.Sc. – BombayUniversity. (1991) Ph.D - Biosciences, LAB, St. Aloysius College, University, (1998) Post doc- RA-CSIR (1999-2002), Laboratory of Applied Biology, St.Aloysius College, Mangalore KSET – Mysore University (2015)

Research Interest: Plant molecular Biology, Plant Tissue culture, Plant ecology Bioremediation and phytoremediation. Developmental studies in ferns.

Subjects taught: Molecular genetics, Evolution, Genetic Engineering, Bioinformatics, Regulatory affairs, Plant Biotechnology.

Current position:  Associate Professor, PG- Department of Biotechnology, St.Aloysius College,

 Recognized co-guide for Ph.D studies at the National Institute of Technology (NITK), Surathkal, .

 Recognized guide for Ph.D studies in Biotechnology, Mangalore University, Mangalore

 Mentor/Resource person for Summer/Winter Camps and other DST INSPIRE initiatives by Indian Academy of Sciences

 Member of the committee for selection of Ph.D candidates for Department of Biotechnology, Mangalore University. Positions held:  Member of the Academic Council, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous)

 Chairperson of the BOS and BOE of the PG board of Biotechnology St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (Autonomous)

 Head, PG department of Biotechnology, St. Aloysius

 Member of BOAE, BOE and BOS of Department of Biotechnology, Mangalore University.

 Adjunct faculty of Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Manipal University.

 Member of BOE and BOS of Department of Biotechnology, SDM Ujire (Autonomous)  Member of BOS Department of Biotechnology, St.AgnesCollege, Mangalore

 Member steering committee of BT finishing school, Karnataka Government Memberships:

 Executive committee member of the British Scholars Association , Mangalore Chapter.  Elected life member of Plant Tissue Culture Association (PTCA), India  Executive committee member of St.AloysiusAlumini Association, Mangalore.  Life member of Association of Microbiologists India  Life member of Biological Chemists, IISc. .  Life member and Vice President of the Indian Fern Society  Life member of Indian Science Congress.

Awards :  Sophia Lecturing-Research award -2107 : Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan  Outstanding and dedicated service Award – by the management of St.Aloysius College, Mangalore, for four consecutive years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016  CSIR Research Associate Fellowship 1999 -2002  INSA-COSTED Travel fellowship to attend International Pteridophyte symposium, Guildford, UK – 2001.  CSIR & Costed IBN Travel Grant to attend International Pteridophyte Symposium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. 1995.  Gold medal - RamNarainRuiaCollege for merit scored in B.Sc as well as M.Sc.  „Outstanding Young Person’ in the year 1995 for the contribution in the field of science by the Jaycee Club of Mangalore.

Recent Research Projects: 1. Correlation studies of forest fires and invasive growth of Pteridium aquilinium (L). Kuhn in Grasslands of Kudremukh National Park” funding agency: Kudremukh Wildlife division, Karkala 2. Bioprospecting local ferns for Phytoremediation of heavy and radioactive metals. Sanction No. 20 1 I /3 5/6/BRNS/ I 75 dated I9.04.2012 3. Phytoremediation of heavy metals using Brassica juncea and Nephrolepis sps. MRP(S)- 776/10-11/KAMA002/UGC-SWRO dated 22-12-2010. 4. Application of molecular techniques for genetic diversity studies of traditional cultivars of rice grown in Dakshina and Udupi districts: UGC minor project 2009.

OUT REACH:

 All India Radio (AIR) talks on biotechnology  Daiji World Host of television show on Konkani literature.  State level Chief judge: INSPIRE award winners state level science model completion and exhibition, DIET,, Karnataka, 3,4 and 5, October,2012  Chief judge: Karnataka State science and technology department organized district level science model competition and exhibition, March 28th and 29th, 2011  Consultant to forest department on control of weedy fern studies in Kudremukh National Park

Presentations International conferences: 9 National conferences: 35 Invited speaker at International Conference: 1 Invited speaker at National Conferences: 70

Ph.D guideship: Number of Ph.D students: Completed two Registered and under progress: 5

Consultancy: Designed and set up laboratory for both research as well as academic institutes. Trained teachers, students, lecturers, farmers and entrepreneurs in Plant tissue culture and molecular biology techniques.

Research publications:

1. Smitha Mallya (1998) Propagation of some native ornamental plants using Biotechnology Ph.D thesis, Mangalore University. Nos Reference ISBN/ISSN No. 24 RESEARCH ARTICLES IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS 1. Smitha Hegde and L.D‟Souza (2016) Auxin transport inhibitor 2,3,5 ISSN 0011-3891 Triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) induced Direct shoot morphogenesis in Millingtonia Scopus impact hortensis L.f. Current Science. 111(1):25-26 factor 0.88 2. Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev and Smitha Hegde (2015) A DNA barcode for ISSN: 0970-2741 Stenochlaena palustris: An edible medicinal fern. Indian Fern Journal, Vol SJIR: 2.66 32:124-131 3. Sudha Sajeev, Pavithraraj, Adarsh DB and Smitha Hegde (2015) phytoconstituent ISSN: 0970-2741 profile of Nephrolepis hirsutula and Pityrogramma calomelanos, two medicinal SJIR: 2.66 ferns of the Western Ghats. Indian Fern Journal. Vol 32: 244-256 4. Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev and Smitha Hegde (2015) Ferns: A thriving ISSN: 0970-9835 group of urban dwellers, Bionature :35(1&2): 13-21 eISSN: 0974-4282 5. Smitha Hegde (2014) An Intriguing flora, environmental and ethno botanical ISSN: 0970-2741 significance. A report on National Seminar on Pteridophyta 30:1-9 6. Vaishali Rai M, Vinitha Ramanath Pai, Pratapchandra Kedilaya H., Smitha ISSN:0976-044X Hegde. 2013 “Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Members of Lamiaceae Family: Leucas linifolia, Coleus aromaticus and Pogestemon patchouli. Int J 3 year Impact factor Pharm Sci Rev Res. 13-199 1.704 7. Devang Khamar, Raviraj Devkar, C S Shreedhara, M Manjunath Setty, Smitha ISSN-2230- Hegde 2013. Enhanced Hispidulin production in vitro from callus culture of 7605.Impact factor: Millingtonia hortensis L.F. International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Index Copernicus: Sciences: Vol 3(2) Apr-June: 633-639. 4.72 8. Niveditha K.M, Chaithra G and Smitha Hegde (2013) Larvicidal properties of ISSN:2320-6292 extracts of Millingtonia hortensis. Al-Shodhana: A Multidisciplinary referred research journal Vol1(1) Pp 11-18 9. Rodrigues Joycy Lyra Kokila, Alva Laveena, Hegde Smitha and D’Souza Leo pISSN 2319-1244; 2013. In vitro studies of morphogenesis and epidermal modification eISSN 2279 0160 in Millingtonia hortensis Acta Biologica Indica Vol: 2 (2): 412-418 10.Aparna A., Srinikethan G. and Smitha H. 2012 Production and Characterization ISSN: 0927-7765, of Biosurfactant Produced by a Novel Pseudomonas sp.2B Colloids and Surfaces 5-year Impact B: Biointerfaces 95:23-9. factor 3.354 11. Aparna A., Srinikethan G. and Smitha Hegde 2012 Isolation, Screening and ISSN: 2229-791X Production of Biosurfactant by Bacillus clausii 5B. Research in Biotechnology, 3(2): 49-56 12. Aparna A., Josline Pinto, Santhosh W. Goveas and Smitha Hegde. SSR marker ISSN 2248-9991 based germplasm assessment amongst cultivated varieties of Oryza sativa of Dakshina Kannada district Global Journal of Applied Agricultural Research. Volume 2, Number 2 (2012), pp. 71-80 13. Santhosh W. Goveas, Smitha Hegde, S.K. Nivas and L. D‟Souza 2011 Study of ISSN 2248-9886 Berberine content in Stem and Callus Extracts of Coscinium fenestratum using HPTLC and HPLC Techniques. International Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Biochemistry 1(2): 145-152 2010 and before 14. Madhumathi, Srinikethan G and Smitha Hegde 2010, Screening and Isolation of ISSN 2079-2115 Gasoline Degrading Bacteria by enrichment technique. Iranica Journal of Energy and Environment 1(3): 184-191 15. Smitha Hegde, Sreejesh P.C and Vijendra Prabhu (2008) Salinity tolerance ISSN:2320-6292 studies in seedlings of three rice cultivars of South India. Explorations: A Multidisciplinary Referred Research Journal,Vol 1(1): 64-74 16. Madhumathi M, Sriniketan G and Smitha Hegde (2008). Isolation and screening ISSN:2320-6292 of micro-organisms from petroleum hydrocarbon waste. Explorations: A Multidisciplinary Referred Research Journal,Vol 1(1): 91-100 17.Nivas S K, Menon V K, Hegde S, D‟Souza W, D‟Souza L and Ghosh S B ISSN 0567-7572 2007.Agrobaceterium Mediated Transformation of Anacardium occidentale L 5-year Impact (Cashew) using GFP markers System. Acta Horticulturae 738: 467-472 factor: 1.71 18. Hegde Smitha., Menon V.K., Noronha R and D‟Souza L (2006) Callus culture ISSN:1054-5476 and an unconventional pattern of sporophyte regeneration in Drynaria quercifolia Impact factor: 1.497 –A medicinal fern. In: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant 42: 508-513, November- December, 2006. 19. Smitha Hegde and D‟Souza L (2003). Influence of nutrition on in vitro ISSN: 0970-2741 germination and development of gametophytes of Drynaria quercifolia. Indian Fern Journal Vol. 20:71-77 20. Smitha Hegde and D‟Souza L (2002) 2iP: An effective cytokinin for the tissue ISSN no: 0308- culture of ferns. The Fern Gazette. Vol 16 part 6 0838. SJR indicator 0,12 21. Smitha Hegde, Dhanraj AL, Suneetha C and D‟Souza. L (2002) An efficient ISSN no: 0308- protocol for extraction and PCR amplification of tree-fern DNA from Herbarium 0838 samples. The Fern Gazette. Vol 16 part 6 SJR indicator 0,12 22. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L.(2000). In vitro sporophyte production from ISSN: 0970-2741 rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia Indian Fern Journal Vol 17: 72-76 23. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L. (1999) Effect of season on contamination and in ISSN: 0970-2741 vitro germination of the spores of Drynaria quercifolia Indian Fern Journal Vol 16 (1-2): 30-34 24. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L. (1995). In vitro Propagation of an Ornamental Tree ISSN: 0016-478X Millingtonia hortensis L.f. Gartenbauwissenschaft, 60(6). S. 258-261 Impact factor 1.138 30 CHAPTERS IN BOOKS: ISBN No. 25 . Lisha D'Costa, Prutha Mahale, Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev and Smitha ISBN no. 978-93- Hegde "In-vitro studies of spore germination in Pityrogramma 5254-227-7 calomelanos." (2016) Proceedings of the National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 18th-19th March at Department of Botany, Government College, Karwar. 26.Pavan Kumar, Punnag Ghaisas, Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev, Snehal Rane ISBN no. 978-93- and Smitha Hegde, Effect of seasonal variations on natural population 5254-227-7 of Selaginella delicatula, Adiantum philippense & Pteris vittata(2016)Proceedings of the National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 18th-19th March at Department of Botany, Government College, Karwar. 27.Jyotsna Kurup, Nikitha H S, Alifha Severes, Smitha Hegde, L D‟Souza. ISBN no. 978-93- Screening high lipid accumulating local algal strains for biofuel production (2016) 5254-227-7 Proceedings of the National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 18th-19th March at Department of Botany, Government College, Karwar. 28. Chapter 16: Sudha Sajeev, Ramya P.V, Sunitha B.C and Smitha Hegde (2013) ISBN 978-81-322- “Phytoremediation of Cadmium using Pteris spp” . Prospects in Bioscience: 0810-5 Addressing the Issues. Sabu, Abdulhameed; Augustine, Anu (Eds.) Springer, XV, 430 p 29. Sudha Sajeev, Aparna A, Rajani M. Nayak, Lobsang Tsultrim, Shimju K.T, Melo ISBN: 978-93- J.S, Smitha Hegde (2013). “Screening Native Ferns for Heavy Metal 5104-266-2 Accumulation-A Preliminary Study. Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges and Prospects”, 30.Smitha Hegde, Ujwal Prabhakar, Kavery Karumbaiah and L.D‟Souza ISBN No: 978-93- (2012)“Salinity tolerance studies of Sugarcane varieties grown in southern 80066-83-7 districts of Karnataka” In: Impact of Plant Tissue Culture on Advances in Plant Biology. Symposium proceedings, Jan 19th-21st, 2012, Loyala Centre for Research and Development, Ahemedabad. 82-87 31. Smitha Hegde and Smitha Blessie (2010) “Angamsha Krishi” 108-112 In: “Naavu Matte Namma Parisara” Ed: Sabiha Bhimegowda, Vijaya Bank Endowment Chair for Environmental Studies, Mangalore University. 32. Aparna A., Srinikethan G. and Smitha Hegde (2010). “Biosurfactant production and hydrocarbon-degradation by bacterial strain 2B obtained from a hydrocarbon contaminated region” at National Conference on Chemical and Biological waste treatment processes for Green Environment, Trivandrum, Conference Proc., June 25-26. pp 44-47 33. Smitha Hegde (2010) Basic laboratory guidelines while handling biological material. In: Use and maintenance of Lab Instruments. 34. Aparna A., Srinikethan G. and Smitha Hegde (2010). “Biosurfactants- A Review”, Proc., International Conference on Convergence of Science and Engineering in education and research-a global perspective in the new millennium (ICSE – 2010)” at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore, 21-23 April. pp 76-80 35. Shashikiran Nivas, Icy D‟Silva, Kavitha Kulkarni, Smitha Hegde and L.D‟Souza (2005) Long term effects of tissue cultured plants. In: Biotechnology for better future. SAC publications, Mangalore. 203-207pp 36. Chapter 25: Anuradha M, Shashikiran Nivas, Smitha Hegde, K Rajendra, ISBN: 8188237507 Vinitha Cardoza, Icy D‟Silva and L. D‟Souza. (2005) Challenges in Cashew Tissue Culture: An Overview. In Ashwani Kumar, Shikha Roy and Sudhir Sopory (Eds) Plant Biotechnology & Its Applications in Tissue Culture. I.K. International Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, , Bangalore. 301-303 37. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L (2003) Conservation of Tree ferns of the Western ISBN : 81-7035- Ghats In: Prospects and Problems of Environment across the millennium. 299-1 Madhyastha MN, Sridhar KR and Lakshmi A. (Eds) Daya Publishing House Delhi 38. Smitha Hegde, D‟Souza L., Rajendra K, Shashi Kiran and Anuradha M (2003) Pathways in Plant Biotechnology. In: Biotechnology - Challenges and Prospects. L.D‟Souza, Anuradha M, Smitha Hegde, Shashikiran Nivas, Rajendra K (Eds). Laboratory of Applied Biology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. 39. L.D‟Souza, Smitha Hegde, Shashikiran Nivas, Rajendra K, and Anuradha M (2003) Stem Cells: Potential and applications. In: Biotechnology - Challenges and Prospects. L.D‟Souza, Anuradha M, Smitha Hegde, Shashikiran Nivas, Rajendra K (Eds). Laboratory of Applied Biology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore 40. Rajendra K, Nivas S, Hegde S, Cardoza V, Anuradha M and D‟Souza L.(2002) Biotechnological applications in Ayurvedic medicinal plants. In: Series Recent ISBN No: progress in Medicinal Plants, Vol. 4 – Biotechnology and genetic engineering 096560389X (Eds) JN Govil, P Ananda Kumar & VK Singh. pp 99-108 9780965603898 41. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L. (2002) Axenic culture of Drynaria quercifolia L.f from spores for ornamental purposes. In: Plant biotechnology for sustainable hill agriculture, Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory, Pithoragarh, (Eds) Narendra Kumar, Negi PS and Singh NK. 74-77 42. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L. (2000) Recent advances in Biotechnology of ISBN : 81-86535- Ferns. In: Recent advances in Biotechnology. (Ed) P.C. Trivedi, Panima 38-1, Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, Bangalore. 213-237 43. Rajendra K, Vinitha Cardoza, Smitha Hegde, Anuradha M & L.D‟Souza. ISBN : 81-900441- (2000). Production of Herbal drugs in vitro. In: Role of biotechnology in 7-6 medicinal and aromatic plants. Vol III. Irfan A Khan, Atiya Khanum (eds) Ukaaz publications, Hyderabad 128-144 44. D‟Souza L, Augustine AC, Rajendra K, Hegde S, Cardoza V & D‟Silva I (1999) ISBN - Rejuvenation-A major problem in micropropagation. In: Kavi Kishor PB (ed) 8173711488, Plant tissue culture and Biotechnology – Emerging Trends. pp 22-28 45. D‟Souza L., Rajendra K, Vinitha Cardoza, Alice Clara Augustine, Smitha Hegde & Icy D‟ Silva. (1998) Micropropagation and conservation of medicinal plants. In: Role of biotechnology in medicinal and aromatic plants. Ukaaz Publications, Vol 1 Hyderabad 57-82. 46. Kavitha R. Kulkarni, Smitha Hegde & D‟ Souza L. (1997). Micropropagation of Butea monosperma (Lam) Taub In: Trends in Plant Tissue Culture and ISBN – Biotechnology. (Ed) L. K. Pareek. Agro Botanical Publishers, Bikaner. 291- 8177540890 293. 47. Smitha Hegde, D‟Souza, L and Alice Clara Augustine (1997). Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) – A Preliminary Evaluation. In: Trends in Plant ISBN – 8177540890 Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. (Ed) L. K. Pareek. Agro Botanical Publishers, Bikaner. 239-240 48. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza. L. In vitro studies of Drynaria quercifolia-An ISBN-13: 978-81- endangered fern. (1997) In: Recent Advances in Biotechnological Applications of 204-1167-8, ISBN: Plant Tissue and Cell Culture. G. A. Ravishankar & L. V. Venkataraman (eds). 81-204-1167-6 Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, Calcutta 113-115. 49. D‟Souza L., Smitha Hegde, Alice Clara Augustine, Rajendra K, Vinitha Cardoza ISBN-13: 978-81- & Kavitha Kulkarni. (1997). Cashew is a useful but hard nut to crack ! In: Recent 204-1167-8, ISBN: Advances in Biotechnological Applications of Plant Tissue and Cell Culture. G. 81-204-1167-6 A. Ravishankar & L. V. Venkataraman (eds). Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, Calcutta 175-179. 50. Smitha Hegde & D‟Souza L. (1996) In vitro Propagation of Drynaria ISBN 1900347091 quercifolia, an endangered fern. In: Pteridology in perspective 95 J.M. Camus, M. Gibby & R.J. Johns (eds). Kew. Pp 171 51. D‟Souza L., Icy D‟Silva, S. Mallya*, AC. Augustine, Rajendra K, K.R. Kulkarni ISBN 978-3-540- & V. Cardoza. (1996) Anacardium occidentale L. (Cashewnut) In: 60547-8 Biotechnology in Agriculture in Forestry, Vol. 35 Trees IV. (Ed) Y.P.S. Bajaj, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 31-49. 52. D‟Souza L. & Smitha Mallya* (1993). Effect of age and culture conditions of ISBN 8120408012, donor palms on coconut anthers cultured in vitro. In: Advances in coconut 9788120408012 research and development. M.K. Nair, H.H. Khan, P. Gopalasundaram, E.V.V. Bhaskara Rao (eds). P.35. BOOK SPONSORED BY STATE GOVT AUTHOR: ISBN:978-81- 53. Dr. Smitha Hegde and Sudha Sajeev (2013) “A Collection of selected ferns of 920274-1-8 Karnataka”, Funded by Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Forest Department, Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Karkala. 96pp SUBJECT BOOK BY LOCAL PUBLISHER BOOKS CO-EDITED 54. Biotechnology for a better future (2004) D‟Souza L., Anuradha M, Shashikiran Nivas, Smitha Hegde and K Rajendra ( eds). SAC Publications, Mangalore 320 pp 55. Biotechnology - Challenges and Prospects. L.D‟Souza, Anuradha M, Smitha Hegde, Shashikiran Nivas, Rajendra K (2003). Laboratory of Applied Biology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. GENBANK ACCESSIONS: 1. Gen bank accession for novel strain: GenBank accession Procured GenBank accession number: JF683582‏, 709 bp 16S ribosomal RNA number JF683582‏ gene DNA linear ENV 26-APR-2011, for a new strain of Pseudomonas sp. Isolated by enrichment culture clone 2B. 2. Pteris quadriaurita: isolate 20 ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase GenBank accession oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene, partial cds; chloroplast. 1246 bp DNA number: KJ710860 linear 3. Pteriodoideae Barcode generated on BOLD: FSI003-14 4. Psilotum nudum: isolate 25 ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase GenBank accession large subunit (rbcL) gene, partial cds; chloroplast 1248 bp DNA linear number: KJ710862 5. Psilotum nudum Barcode generated on BOLD: FSI002-14 6. Stenochlaena palustris: isolate 23 ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase GenBank accession oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene, partial cds; chloroplast 1243 bp DNA number: KJ710861 linear 7. Stenochlaena palustris Barcode generated on BOLD: FSI004-14

Student Research presentations at National Seminars : Abstracts 1. Rodrigues AV, Menon VK, Singh Y, Hegde S and D‟Souza 2004 Ferns, a new hope for anthrax, Abstract: National Symposium on Biotechnology for a Better Future, Mangalore, January 13-15th. Pp 83 2. Sreejesh, P.C., Vijayendra Prabhu, Haseena, M.A., Neha Nair, Ujwala Shetty and Smitha Hegde 2004 presented a paper at the state level symposium on “Pests in Rice” organized by St. Agnes College to commemorate the International Year of Rice, August 2004 3. Joseph Kurian, Blossum Fernandez, Prameela Kumari and Smitha Hegde 2006 Genetic diversity analysis of traditionally grown rice varieties of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district using RAPD. At: Biospectra” State Level Seminar for B.E.Biotechnology and Post graduate students in Life sciences, organized by the PG department of Biotechnology, St. Aloysius College, March 31st, 2006 pp 20: Won I place 4. Joseph Kurian, Blossum Fernandez, Prameela Kumari and Smitha Hegde 2006 Genetic diversity studies of traditionally grown rice varieties of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district. National conference at Trivandrum-Biotechnology and Economic Development - A Kerala Scenario & Annual Award Session, Society for Biotechnologists, India (SBTI) March 25-26, 2006 5. Keerthi D‟Souza, Shawn D‟Souza, Smitha Hegde and Kshitish Acharya 2006 In silico validation of EX-EX primer: A novel tool to design primers from Exon-Exon junctions. Biospectra” State Level Seminar for B.E.Biotechnology and Post graduate students in Life sciences, organized by the PG department of Biotechnology, St. Aloysius College, March 31st, 2006 pp 22 6. Jasmine Lobo, Sushma Patrao, Smitha Hegde and L. D‟Souza 2008 Biodegradation Of Banana Waste Using Trichoderma Species .24th National Conference of the ISCAP on Biotechnological strategies for biodiversity conservation, 13-15th March, Abstract no: EP:3 pp: 118 7. Kavery Karumbaiah, Ujwal Prabhakar and Smitha Hegde 2008 Genetic Diversity Study Of Sugarcane Varieties Grown In Dakshina Kannada .24th National Conference of the ISCAP on Biotechnological strategies for biodiversity conservation, 13-15th March, Abstract no: CP29. pp: 74-75 Won II place 8. Josline Pinto, Aparna A and Smitha Hegde 2008 Screening of salt tolerant Rice Varieties Traditionally Grown In Dakshina Kannada .24th National Conference of the ISCAP on Biotechnological strategies for biodiversity conservation, 13-15th March, Abstract no: CP33. pp: 78 9. Seema S, Rashmi Judy Fernandez, Smitha Hegde and L.D‟Souza 2008 Tissue culture studies and phytochemical analysis of Adhatoda vasica.24th National Conference of the ISCAP on Biotechnological strategies for biodiversity conservation, 13-15th March, Abstract no: EP10. pp:124 10. Aparna A., Srinikethan G. and Smitha Hegde 2010. “Biosurfactants- A Review”, Proc., International Conference on Convergence of Science and Engineering in education and research-a global perspective in the new millennium (ICSE – 2010)” at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore, 21-23 April. pp 54. 11. Aparna A, Srinikethan G and Smitha Hegde 2010 Biosurfactant production and hydrocarbon degradation by bacterial strain 2B obtained from a crude oil contaminated region. National Conference on “Chemical and Biological Waste Treatment processes for Green Environment” 25th- 26th June 2010, Trivandrum. Abstract page no: 58 12. Aparna A., Josline Pinto and Smitha Hegde “Molecular Marker based Germplasm Assessment of Traditional Grown Rice Varieties of Dakshina Kannada”, Proceedings of 24th National Conference of ISCAP, Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Karnataka, 2008, pp. 63. 13. Swathi K.V, Huller N and Smitha Hegde 2008 Screening of germ plasm of local cowpea varieties for genetic diversity.24th National Conference of the ISCAP on Biotechnological strategies for biodiversity conservation, 13-15th March, Abstract no: CP15. pp: 64 14. Irshad Ahmad Sofi, Hidayathulla M.A. Asha Abraham and Smitha Hegde Database for cleft plalate candidate genes. International conference on Genetic and Molecular Diagnosis in Modern Medicine and Biology during 27 th February to 1 st March 2010 Page No. 88. 15. Ramya P.V, Sunitha B.C and Smitha Hegde, Phytoremediation of Cadmium Using Brassica juncea and Nephrolepis sps. National Seminar “Biocatalysts” 2012, Organized by Department of Biochemistry, St.Aloysius College, Mangalore, India. I prize winner 16. Smitha Hegde, Ujwala Prabhakar, Kavery Karumbaiah and L.D‟Souza 2012 Salinity tolerance studies of Sugarcane varieties grown in southern districts of Karnataka National Symposium: Impact of Plant tissue culture on advances in Plant Biology and XXXIII PTCA (I) Annual meet, Xavier‟s College, Ahmedabad and Loyola Center for Research and Development, 19th -21st January, 2012 Abstract no: 142 17. Sudha Sajeev, Ramya P.V, Sunitha B.C and Smitha Hegde, Phytoremediation of Cadmium using Pteris spp. International Conference on Advances in Biological Sciences (ICABS), 15-17 March 2012, Kannur University, Kannur, India. 18. Sudha Sajeev, Aparna A., Rajani M. Nayak, Lobsang Tsultrim, Shimju K.T, Melo J.S, Smitha Hegde. Bioprospecting ferns of the local flora suitable for Phytoremediation of heavy metals. DAE-BRNS Life Sciences Symposium 2012 (LSS-2012) OnTrends in Plant, Agriculture and Food Sciences (TIPAFS) December 17-19, 2012. 19. Renu Kashyap, Sudha Sajeev and Smitha Hegde "Identification of juvenile ferns using molecular markers" at National Seminar on Pteridophyta: An Intriguing Flora. Environmental and Ethnobotanical Significance 8 - 9 February, 2013 20. Nikhil R.Halarnkar, Hermann Fernandes, Poojitha G, SudhaSajeev and Smitha Hegde “DNA Barcoding of Pteridophytes of Western Ghats” at National Seminar on Trends in Environmental Biotechnology and its Applications, 10-11 December 2013, pg 55. WON SECOND PLACE 21. Sudha Sajeev, Nikhil R.Halarnkar, Hermann Fernandes, Shaiesh Morajkar, Smitha Hegde (2015) Use of DNA barcoding in diversity studies of two phenotypically diverse Pteridophytes: Psilotum nudum and Stenochlaena palustris at National Symposium “Biotechnology and Molecular Biology for Industry and the Common Man” & XXXVI Meeting of The Plant Tissue Culture Association of India 29th – 31st January 2015, Mangalore 22. Shaiesh Morajkar and Smitha Hegde (2015) Use of DNA Barcoding to resolve identification of Pteris vittata and newly reported variant Pteris vittata L. nano National Symposium “Biotechnology and Molecular Biology for Industry and the Common Man” & XXXVI Meeting of The Plant Tissue Culture Association of India 29th – 31st January 2015, Mangalore I prize, best poster 23. Adarsh D.B, Pavithraraj, Sudha Sajeev and Smitha Hegde (2014) Phytochemical analysis of Nephrolepis hirsutula: National Seminar on “Natural Vs Synthetic Drugs” A Medicinal approach on 30th September 2014, Mangalore I prize, best poster