Dr. Nischitha R

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Name : Dr. Nischitha R

Designation : Scientist B

Brief Background :

Dr. Nischitha R. is a scientist at the National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI), Department of Biodiversity and Palaeobiology – Fungi group. With a Ph.D. in Botany and a specialization in applied mycology from Kuvempu University, Karnataka, she has a strong academic foundation that supports her research endeavors.

Her work centers on the diversity and bioprospecting of endophytic fungi, particularly in grass species. This includes fungal metabolite profiling, advanced biological assays, and comparative genomics to study plant-endophyte interactions. By employing techniques such as LC-MS, GC-MS, and FTIR, her research has identified bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and plant growth-promoting properties, showcasing their potential for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental applications. Globally recognized for contributions to her field, she has published extensively, authored book chapters, and presented at numerous conferences. As an associate and executive editor, journal reviewer, and active member of mycological associations, she plays a significant role in advancing fungal biotechnology. Her research integrates computational methods, such as molecular docking, to accelerate drug discovery and bridge traditional knowledge with modern innovation.Her vision is to harness the untapped potential of endophytic fungi to provide sustainable solutions for global challenges, including food security, human health, and biodiversity conservation. This interdisciplinary approach blends ecological insight and biotechnological expertise to drive impactful advancements and foster a more sustainable future.

Contact Details :

, nischithalraj9@gmail.com
+91-20-25325138
  • B. Sc. (Seed Technology, Botany, Chemistry)- Sahyadri Science College, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka.
  • M.Sc. (Applied Botany), Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka (Specialization: Mycology, medicinal plant in Applied Botany).
  • Ph.D. (Botany), Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka
  • Ph.D. thesis title: “ENDOPHYTIC FUNGAL ASSEMBLAGES IN CERTAIN GRASSES OF SUB FAMILY PANICOIDEAE AND THEIR BIO-PROSPECTING”
  • COMPUTER TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME (CTTP) – Sahyadri Shikshna Grameena Abihivruddi Samste at Shrunga Computer Education, Shimoga
  • Endophytic Fungal Diversity and Host Interactions: Investigating the diversity and distribution of endophytic fungi in grass species using both culture-dependent and next-generation sequencing approaches, exploring the morphological, molecular, and ecological aspects of fungi to understand their role in host-plant interactions and their biotechnological potential.
  • Bioactive Metabolites and Functional Applications: Profiling bioactive compounds from endophytic fungi using advanced analytical, in vitro, in vivo and in silico techniques to evaluate their biological activities and accelerate drug discovery.
  • Sustainable Solutions for Crop and Human Health: Exploring plant-endophyte interactions to improve crop protection, promote growth, and enhance stress tolerance while also harnessing fungal metabolites for diverse biological applications.

Publications:

  1. Nischitha R*. and Sanjay K. SinghExploring the potential source of endophytic fungal bioactive metabolite of Cynodon dactylon. Archive of Microbiology.207(6):142. (IF- 2.8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-025-04296-1
  2. Nischitha R*, Shivanna MB – (2025). Phyto and myco-chemical profiling, bioactivity and in-silico docking study of endophytic fungi and host- Setariaflavida. International Microbiology. 1-14. (IF: 2.9). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-025-00646-7.
  3. Shiwali Rana*, Gauri Pawle, Nischitha R*and Sanjay K. Singh*. (2025).Diversity and biological activities of endophytic fungi: insights from in-silico docking studies. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. (IF-2.4).10.1007/s42770-025-01616-x
  4. Aishwarya K. Kamunkar and R. Nischitha*., (2025). Exploring endophytic fungi from Cynodon dactylon: GC-MS profiling and biological activity. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 176. 1-9. (IF- 2.4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103959
    1. Nischitha R. (2024). Role of grass endophytic fungi as a natural resource of bioactive metabolites- Archive of Microbiology. 206 (10), 418. (IF- 2.8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-024-04132-y
    2. R Nischitha* and Shivanna MB. (2024). In vitro and in silico studies on plant growth promotion of endophytic fungi of Ischaemum ciliare Journal of Plant Pathology. 106, 593-607. (IF- 2.30). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-023-01586-9.
    3. Ashoka, G.B, Nischitha, R., Gagana, L. S., & Shivanna, M. B*. (2023). Diversity of endophytic fungal community in Jatropha heynei NP Balakr.Journal of Mycopathology Research. 61(4): 489-501, (IF- 4.9).
    4. Nischitha, Shravya, Pooja, D.V., Mahesh G. Shetty and S.K. Ghosh* (2023). Impact of Edible Coating in Extending the Shelf life of Post-harvested Banana under Storage Condition. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 76-81. (NAAS- 4.96).
    5. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB* (2023) – Comparativemetagenomicanalysesofendophyticfungiassemblages inshootandrootregionsofHeteropogoncontortus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 93(1), 161-167. (IF- 1.70). https://doi.org/1007/s40011-023-01506-y.
    6. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB* (2023) – Screening of secondary metabolites and antioxidant potential of endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum and host Digitaria bicornis by spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods. Archive of Microbiology, 204(206), 1-13. (IF- 2.55). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-02795-z.
    7. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB* (2022) – Diversity and insilicodockingofantibacterialpotentcompoundsofChaetomiumsubaffineSergeevaendophyticinHeteropogoncontortus(L.)P.Beauv. Process Biochemistry, 112, 124-138. (IF-3.75). https://org/10.1016/j.procbio.2021.11.013.
    8. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB* (2021). – Metabolite fingerprinting, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and in-silico docking in Alloteropsis cimicina and its endophytic fungus Penicillium pinophilum. Molecular biology reports. 48(5), 4021-4037 (IF- 2.3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06410-0.
    9. Anusha T. N., Nischitha R, Shivanna MB* (2021). Diversity of Mycoflora in Root and Rhizosphere Regions of Alloteropsis Cimicina (L.) Stapf. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 8 (S1-Feb), 31-35. (IF- 3.02). https://doi:10.34293/sijash.v8is1-feb.3928.
    10. Nischitha R, and Shivanna MB* (2021). Antimicrobial activity and metabolite profiling of endophytic fungi in Digitaria bicornis (Lam) Roem. & Schult. and Paspalidiumflavidum(Retz.) A. Camus. 3 Biotech 11(2), 1-15. (IF- 2.23). https://doi.org/10.1007/s1320502002590-x.
    11. Nischitha, R., Vasanthkumari, M. M., Kumaraswamy, B. E., & Shivanna, M. B*. (2020). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and chemical profiling of Curvularia tsudae endophytic in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 3 Biotech, 10(7), 1-12. (IF- 2.5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02250-0.
    12. Nischitha R, Shivanna M. B.* (2020). – Influence of seasons on endophytic fungal assemblage in Alloteropsis cimicina (L.) Stapf. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. of the sub-family panicoideae. Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology (Journal of Fungal Biology) 10(1), 10–25. (IF- 0.45). https://doi 10.5943/cream/10/1/2.

    Books Chapters:

    1. R. Nischitha*, Sunil, L. Gagana Suryavamshi, G. B. Ashoka, and M.B. Shivanna (2025) – Spotlight on the hidden treasure of endophytic fungal bioactive metabolites. In Manoharachary, Harikesh Bahadur Singh, Sanjay Singh and Yash Pal Sharma (Eds.), Biodiversity, Bioengineering, and Biotechnology of Fungi Current and Future Advancements. 1st ed., Academic Press, Elsevier Inc., USA. (pp. 129-150). ISBN 978-0-443-13856-0. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13856-0.00008-7
    2. Shivanna MBand Nischitha R* (2024) – Diversity of endophytic fungi of Ischaemum ciliare as a potential source of antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. In A.M. Singh and A. K. Roy (Eds.), Biodiversity conservation, present scenario and future prospect.1st ed., Walnut publication, India. 156-170. (ISBN: 978-93-5911-652-5/eBook ISBN: 978-93-5911-577-1).

    Awards/ Medals received:

    1. Awarded by NFSC UGC (JRF and SRF) No. RGNF- 2017- 18-SC-KAR-38457.
    2. Best oral award for Nischitha, R. and M. B. Shivanna. Occurrence of endophytic fungal species in some grasses of sub-family panicoideae growing in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. International conference on “Recent Scenario in Plant Science Research-Climate Change and its Associated Variations” to be held during 23rd- 25th March 2018. In Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.PP-10, P-104.
    3. Best poster award for Nischitha, R. and M. B. Shivanna. Antimicrobial activity of Cochliobolus australiensis (Tsuda & Ueyama) Alcorn. endophytic in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in forest regions of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. National conference on “Fungal Biology: Present trends and future prospects & 44th Annual Meeting of the Mycological Society of India” in Jammu University on November 16- 18, 2017 Organized by Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu. PP-55, P-110.

    Journal reviewer

     1.      Indian Phytopathology

     2.      Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

    Life member

    1. Association of Fungal Biologists
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