Leadership Team
Dr. Pratima S. Kadam
Academic Advisor | Retired Professor of Botany, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Botany)
Dr. Pratima S. Kadam is an accomplished academician and researcher with an extensive background in plant physiology, mycology, environmental biology, and stress physiology. With over 16 years of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience, she has played a significant role in shaping botanical education and research across leading institutions affiliated with the University of Pune (SPPU).
A university rank-holder throughout her academic journey, Dr. Kadam completed her M.Sc. in Botany with First Rank in Kolhapur University, followed by her Ph.D. in salt tolerance studies of Crotalaria species, establishing her early expertise in plant stress physiology. Over the years, her research has expanded into phytochemistry, salinity stress responses, bryophyte diversity, and bioactive plant compounds, with a strong orientation toward environmental sustainability and ecological applications.
Academic and Research Leadership
Dr. Kadam has guided Ph.D. scholars and supervised 20+ M.Sc. Botany research projects, contributing to the development of young researchers in plant sciences. Her involvement spans classroom teaching, laboratory mentoring, curriculum design, and academic resource development.
She has been actively associated with major academic responsibilities including:
- DBT Star College Coordinator (2017–Present)
- Board of Studies Member, Vivekanand College (Autonomous), Kolhapur
- Academic Research Coordinator (2016–2022)
- Subject Expert and Examiner for multiple university-level evaluations and practical examinations
- Resource Person and Judge for various academic events, workshops, and exhibitions
Her dedication to academic excellence earned her the Best Teacher Award at the Global Science Congress on Emerging Trends in Basic and Applied Sciences (Dubai, 2019).
Research Expertise and Contributions
Dr. Kadam’s research spans several interconnected domains, including:
- Plant physiology and response to salinity stress
- Phytochemical analysis of medicinal and ecological plant groups
- Mycology and bryophyte studies
- Environmental biology and conservation
- Bioactive compounds with applications in mosquito repellent activity, antimicrobial properties, and plant-based medicinal uses
She has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers in national and international journals, covering a wide range of topics such as:
- Salinity effects on germination and growth physiology
- Phytochemical profiling of bryophytes and halophytes
- Antimicrobial and nutraceutical potential of lower plants
- Biochemical studies of stress enzymes and pigments
Her publications reflect a consistent contribution to advancing plant stress biology and ecological research.
Professional Development and Academic Engagement
Dr. Kadam has actively participated in faculty development programs, refresher courses, orientation programs, and national-level training workshops on topics including:
- Advanced research techniques
- Cell and molecular biology
- Biostatistics and bioinformatics
- Curriculum development
- ICT in education
- Biodiversity conservation
She has presented papers at multiple national and international conferences, including significant contributions to discussions on biodiversity, climate change, plant physiology, biomedical waste management, and environmental sustainability.
Community and Environmental Engagement
Beyond academia, Dr. Kadam is committed to community-oriented environmental education. She has worked with NSS activities, delivered public lectures on environmental awareness, and served as judge and evaluator for educational and environmental exhibitions conducted by civic bodies like PCMC.
Role in Leadership
As part of the leadership and advisory ecosystem, Dr. Pratima S. Kadam brings deep academic insight, research-oriented thinking, and a commitment to ecological sustainability. Her expertise in plant sciences, environmental studies, curriculum enhancement, and scientific mentoring significantly strengthens institutional initiatives in education, research, and community engagement.
Her multifaceted experience enables organizations to integrate academic excellence with real-world environmental and biological applications.