Teaching Experience                                                                                 

• 2010-Till date, M.Sc. (Biotech) in North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
• 2011- Till date, Pre-PhD course work. North Eastern Hill University, Shillong

PhD. Awarded/Supervised

• Ongoing-1 4-completed

Administrative responsibilities undertaken:

• Working as Hostel Warden since September 2017

Research interests

Major area: Environmental Biotechnology, Algal physiology, stress adaptation

Microalgal biodiesel production

Here, effect of different combination of stress factors on biomass, lipid content and FAME profiles of microalgae were investigated. Transcriptome of isolates analyzed under stress conditions can provide basic understanding of molecular mechanism to enhance in high neutral lipid production in microalgae.

Characterization of pesticide-tolerant strains of microalgae

Continuous application of pesticides to control insect pests harboring in the crops negatively affects non-target organisms such as microalgae. The proteomic approaches applied will help us to investigate the proteins involved in the pesticide tolerance. Using microalgae for the degradation of pesticide residues is reasonable treatment option for the removal of pesticide residues from contaminated soil and wastewater thus, increasing its application in the bioremediation of pesticide contaminated sites.

Bioactive (Antimicrobial, antioxidant, etc.) potential of microalgae

In this study, identification of local isolates of microalgae from Meghalaya having bioactive potential, is carried out. Genome mining of selected isolates were studied to search biosynthetic gene clusters using bioinformatic analysis. Cloning and expression studies are done to profile their PKS and NRPS genes showing antimicrobial and anticancer potential. It may provide new targets for drug discovery.

Member of academic bodies

1. DRC and Board of Studies, BTBI, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong
2. School board Member, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong
3. NEP-2020 for UG and PG syllabus framework of University and Dept.
4. Life member of Academic bodies ISCA and BRSI
5. PhD course work coordinator

Publications

Total publications: Internati Nati>

Recent Publications

1. Mandal M. K. and Chaurasia N. (2018) Molecular characterization of freshwater microalgae and nutritional exploration to enhance their lipid yield. 3 Biotech, 8(5):238. Doi: 10.1007/s13205-018-1248-5.
2. Mandal, M.K., Saikia, P., Chanu, N.K., Chaurasia, N. 2019. Modulation of lipid content and lipid profile by supplementation of iron, zinc, and molybdenum in indigenous microalgae. Environ. Sci. Pollut. R. (IF: 2.914). 1-14.
3. Mandal, M.K., Chanu, N.K., Chaurasia, N. (2019). Exogenous addition of indole acetic acid and kinetin under nitrogen-limited medium enhances lipid yield and expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase & diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes in indigenous microalgae: A potential approach for biodiesel production. Bioresource Technol. (IF: 6.669).
4. Baruah P. and Chaurasia N. (2020) Ecotoxicological effects of alpha-cypermethrin on freshwater alga Chlorella sp.: Growth inhibition and oxidative stress studies. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmac.(IF.3.1)
5. Yadav S, Srivastava A, Biswas S, Chaurasia N, Singh S K, Kumar S, Srivastava V and Mishra Y.(2020) Comparison and optimization of protein extraction and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protocols for liverworts.BMC Research Notes, 13 (1), 1-7
6. Chanu NK, Mandal MK, Chaurasia N.(2020) Correlating the influence of biochemical parameters in environment with pesticide tolerance of non-target algae Biologia, 1-13.
7. Chanu, N. K., & Chaurasia, N. (2020). A proteomic approach to pesticide stress management in microalgae. The NEHU Journal, 41.
8. Mandal MK, Chaurasia N (2021) De novo transcriptomic analysis of Graesiella emersonii NC-M1 reveals differential genes expression in cell proliferation and lipid production under glucose and salt supplemented condition. Renewable Energy, 179: 2004-2015. 0960-1481
9. Chanu NK, Mandal MK, Chaurasia N (2022).  Proteomics analysis reveals several metabolic alterations in cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. NC-K1 in response to alpha-cypermethrin exposure. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. (IF: 4.223) 29(13):19762-19777. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-16611-6.
10. Chanu NK., Mandal MK, Srivastava A, Mishra Y.  Chaurasia N.  (2023) Proteomics Reveals Damaging Effect of Alpha???Cypermethrin Exposure in a Non???Target Freshwater Microalga Chlorella sp. NC???MKM. Current Microbiology, 80:144.
11. Baruah P., Srivastava A, Mishra Y., Chaurasia N.  (2024) Modulation in growth, oxidative stress, photosynthesis, and morphology reveals higher toxicity of alpha-cypermethrin than chlorpyrifos towards a non-target green alga at high doses. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 106:104376.
12. Chaurasia, N., Rynjah, D., Das, B. (2025). Comparing the proficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Anabaena sp. in phycoremediation of contaminated wastewater. Journal of Scientific Research, 69(2).
13. Rynjah, D., Lamare, D.W., & Chaurasia, N. (2025). A Green Solution: Microalgae for Soil Health. The NEHU Journal Vol. XXI, No. 1, 2023 (2025), pp. 113-126.
14. Basu, S., Yadav, S., Jha, V.K. Chaurasia, N. et al. Two Evolutionary Diverged Liverworts that Shared the Same Habitats Developed a Few Distinct Seasonal Adaptive Strategies: Insights from a Transcriptomic Approach. Plant Mol Biol Rep 43, 1621–1641 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-025-01572-8
15. Chanu NK., Mandal MK, Shilpi Singh, Prashant Km. Singh, Chaurasia, N. (2025). Integrated proteomics and in-silico analysis unveil the alpha-cypermethrin detoxification mechanism in Graesiella Emersonii. Archives of Microbiology DOI: 10.1007/s00203-025-04491-0
16. Jagriti Mishra, Rynjah, D., Lamare, D.W., Srivastava A, Mishra Y.& Chaurasia, N. "Unravelling the Secrets of Siderophore Production in Cyanobacteria from Meghalaya", Brazilian Journal of Microbiology Accepted.

Invited Review/ Book Chapters = 7

Seminar Organised

• 2014, Acted as Joint-organizing secretary at National Seminar on METABOLOMICS-A NEW FRONTIER IN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH held on 23-24 May 2014 organized by Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022
• 2014, Acted as a Member in the organizing committee of National Workshop on "Hands on Training on Techniques in Biotechnological Research” held on February 24-March 08, 2014 organized by Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics and Department of Zoology under “DBT –NER Programme on strengthening of Infrastructure in Biotechnology teaching, training and research”.
• 2021, Acted as Organizing secretary at “National Seminar on Contemporary Research” In Biotechnology to be held on March 25^th, 2021 organized under the aegis of UGC- SAP by Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022
• Acted as coordinator in one day national webinar on theme “Impact of climate change on diversity and agriculture in hilly areas” held on 6^th August, 2021 organized by UGC-HRDC, NEHU, Shillong
• Acted as a Member in the Organizing committee of National Science day held on 28^th Feb 2022 organized by the School of Life Sciences, NEHU, Shillong
• Acted as Member in the Organizing committee in two day National Seminar on Emerging Trends In Biological Sciences: A North East India Perspective on 28th Feb-1st March, 2023 Organized by Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics,North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, in Collaboration with Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC), Shillong & BioNEST Bioincubator facility,NEHU, Tura, Meghalaya
• Acted as organizer and coordinator in “Jan Bhagidari” event during ‘India’s G20 Presidency’ organized Quiz and Painting competitions on 21st June 2023 in the seminar hall of the department.

Extra-Curricular Activities

1. Given Invited lectures at colleges, ICAR, UGC-HRDC-NEHU
2. Working as External examiner, PhD examiner, Paper setting, moderator in colleges and other departments
3. Reviewer of international journals of repute such as Journal of Phycology, 3 Biotech, etc.
4. 2013-14, Incharge of Helix Club of Department to carry out extra-curricular activities such as debate, discussions, Quiz and felicitations. Celebration of Environment Day, etc.