Prof. Meenu Saraf serves as the Director of the School of Science and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Gujarat University, embodying excellence in academic leadership and research. A distinguished member of the Executive Council and Academic Council of Gujarat University, she also holds the esteemed position of Editor-in-Chief of the university's prestigious journal, Vidya. Prof. Saraf's visionary leadership and commitment to academic innovation continue to shape the scientific and educational endeavors of Gujarat University, making her an integral part of its legacy of excellence.
Micro-biology - Prof. Meenu Saraf, Director of School of Science at Gujarat University, is a renowned expert in rhizospheric biology, soil microbiology, and agricultural biotechnology, with an impressive record of 286 publications. Her research focuses on leveraging microbial diversity to enhance ecosystem services, manage stress conditions, and develop advanced biofertilizers. She has made significant contributions to biofortification of cereals and legumes with Fe, Zn, and Se using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), providing enriched grains to society. Her work extends to ecological interactions in agroforestry, demonstrating the establishment of Jatropha curcas on marginal lands using agronomic practices and microbial consortia. Prof. Saraf's lab specializes in cutting-edge areas such as biocontrol agents, molecular docking, quorum sensing, and nitrogen fixation genomics, alongside environmental solutions like radioactive waste management. With 4,900 citations, an h-index of 33, and a legacy of guiding 18 Ph.D. and 28 M.Phil. students, Prof. Saraf’s impactful research continues to drive sustainable agricultural innovation.
Experience Information
Director
Jan, 2020
School of Science
Associate Professor
Jan, 2005 - Dec, 2005
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Professor & HOD
Jan, 2005
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Sr. Assistant Professor
Jan, 1997 - Dec, 2002
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Assistant Professor
Jan, 1992 - Dec, 1997
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology
UGC Research Fellow
Jan, 1988 - Dec, 1993
Barkatullah University Bhopal
Education Information
1992
Doctor of Philosophy
Barkatullah University (Uni. of Bhopal)
1987
Master of Science
Barkatullah University (Uni. of Bhopal)
1985
Bachelor of Science
Barkatullah University (Uni. of Bhopal)
Membership Information : Professional Bodies
2024
Professor
Association of Microbiologists of India
2024
Professor
The Indian Botanical Society
2024
Professor
Indian Science Congress Association.
2024
Professor
Asian PGPR Society
2024
Professor
Biotechnology Society of Ecosystem Health (ISEH) Guelph, Canada
2024
Professor
Symbiosis Society
2024
Professor
Research Journal of Biotechnology
2024
Professor
Biotechnological Research Society of India
Research Projects & Consultancy
Management of Soil Resources in Semi Arid Regions for sustainable grain productivity using PGPR”
Jan 2006 - Dec 2009
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :356000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
The use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for establishments of Biofuel plant – Jatropha Curcas.
Jan 2007 - Dec 2011
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :4500000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria based eco-friendly disease management strategy for control of soil born pathogen.
Jan 2011 - Dec 2014
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :2000000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Evaluation of Biofortified formulation of PGPR on the enhancement of ISR causing damping off disease in agricultural crops.
Jan 2014 - Dec 2016
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :550000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Carbon sequestration potential of Albizzia lebbeck in intercropping and co-cultivation systems with economic crops and plant growth promoting microorganisms
Jan 2013 - Dec 2016
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :3500000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Microbial production of bioactive compounds Stilbenes: Resveratrol, Viniferin, Picied and Ampelopsin.
Jan 2014 - Dec 2017
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :3432250.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Unravelling Structure and Optimization of Siderophore production from rhizobacteria for their biocontrol potential and integrating crop modeling systems for increasing crop production.
Jan 2014 - Dec 2017
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :1820000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Exploring and exploiting plant beneficial bacterial biofilms
Jan 2019 - Dec 2020
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :5299868.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Bacterial mediated drought tolerance understanding the physiological biochemical molecular mechanism in Cyamopsis
Jan 2018 - Dec 2020
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :2181000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
Capacity Building in Rhizobacteria Mediated Plant Stress Resistance for Indian Agriculture
Jan 2018 - Dec 2020
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :0.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Ongoing
Assessment of Bacillus and Pseudomonas isolates potentialities for control of export mango fruit post harvest diseases in Cote D Ivoire
Jan 2018
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :0.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Ongoing
Combinatorial biosynthesis for the production of Resveratrol by endophytic microorganisms
Jan 2016 - Dec 2020
Grant No. :0
CoPI Name :
Amount :2300000.00
Role :Principal Investigator
Status :Completed
The potential use of selenobacteria in crop biofortification and management of abiotic stress
