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Centre for Advanced Learning

Prof. Dr. Smitha Hegde

Director of Research
smitha.hegde@tlc.edu.in

ABOUT

Prof. Dr. Smitha Hegde is a distinguished botanist and an environmental biotechnologist with over 35 years of research and teaching experience.

Dr. Hegde has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed research papers, 5 books, 41 book chapters and 2 patents published in the fields of plant biotechnology and environmental sciences. She has successfully guided 10 PhD students and 47 postgraduate research projects and currently mentors 2 doctoral candidates.

Her pioneering studies on the molecular ecology of ferns, biosorption of heavy metals and climate-linked biodiversity assessment have established her as one of India’s foremost experts on pteridophyte biology and phytoremediation.

Leadership and Consultancy

She has served as a Chief Consultant to the Karnataka Forest Department, undertaking biodiversity and fire mitigation studies in Kudremukh National Park (600 sq. km Tiger Reserve). Currently, she has a pipeline of requests from cities all over India on urban greening and biodiversity planning.

Professional Distinctions

  • Visiting Professor, Sophia University, Tokyo (2017)
  • “Aranya Mitra” Award – Karnataka Forest Department (2019)
  • Distinguished Researcher Award – Nitte (DU), 2022
  • Best Teacher Award – Nitte (DU), 2021
  • SS Bir Gold Medal in Pteridology – 2014
  • Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Award for Environmental Contribution – 2019

Selected Publications and Contributions

  • Over 100 research papers in reputed journals such as Current Science, International Journal of Phytoremediation, Plant Biology, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology.
  • Co-editor and author of significant volumes on biotechnology, ferns and sustainable plant systems, published by Springer, Elsevier, and CABI.
  • Contributor to Biotechnology of Fruit and Nut Crops (CABI, 2020) and Ferns: Propagation, Biotechnology and Medicinal Use (Springer, 2022).

Major Research Grants and Projects

Dr. Hegde has led multiple national and corporate-funded projects with agencies such as

  • Department of Science & Technology (DST)
  • Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS)
  • University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL)
  • Nitte (Deemed to be University)
  • Vision Group on Science & Technology (VGST)

Ongoing projects/ Consultancy

  • Consultant and service provider for Biodiversity assessment and documentation of flora at BIAL
  • Committee member for Biodiversity and urban green cover planning of Amaravati the new Capital of Andhra Pradesh
  • Principal Investigator for Mysore tree count.
  1. Annapoorneshwari M, Sharma A, Hegde S. LysM domain-containing chitinases in pteridophytes: A promising resource for sustainable biopesticides. Plant Biology (2025). doi:10.1111/plb.70093. (IF: 3.6)
  2. Suneetha C, Nagesha N, Yuvaraj S, Nataraja A, Kandpal K, Muttu V, Hegde S. Molecular Diversity of Fern Species of Agumbe Ghats of Karnataka using ISSR Markers. Indian Journal of Ecology, 52(5), 935–939 (2025). https://doi.org/10.55362/IJE/2025/4594
  3. Kushalan S, Khyahrii AS, Kini S, Hegde S. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.: An Overview of Its Effects on Human Health. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU, 13(2), 153–160 (2023). (IF: 0.30)
  4. Jathana NN, Krishnamurthy GK, Paithankar JG, Hegde S, Coveas LC, Ravindranath BS, Gowdru MP. Phyto-bacterial biosorption of basic fuchsine: A self-sustainable approach towards biomitigation of contaminant of emerging concern. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(2), 109330 (2023). (IF: 7.968)
  5. Kushalan S, Kashyap A, Morajkar S, Hegde S. Geospatial Distribution of Fluoride and Iron in Natural Water Sources in Mangalore City. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU, 525–534 (2023). (IF: 0.4)
  6. Kushalan S, D’Souza LC, Aloysius K, Sharma A, Hegde S. Toxicity Assessment of Curculigo orchioides Leaf Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster: A Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15218 (2022). (IF: 4.614)
  7. Turner LM, Hegde S, Karunasagar I, Turner R. How university students are taught about sustainability, and how they want to be taught: the importance of the hidden curriculum. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (2022). (IF: 2.854)
  8. Paithankar JG, Kushalan S, Nijil S, Hegde S, Kini S, Sharma A. Systematic toxicity assessment of CdTe quantum dots in Drosophila melanogaster. Chemosphere, 295, 133836 (2022). (IF: 7.086)
  9. Kushalan S, Yathisha UG, Khyahrii AS, Hegde S. Phytochemical and anti-oxidant evaluation of in vitro and in vivo propagated plants of Curculigo orchioides. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant, 58, 382–391 (2022). (IF: 2.347)
  10. Pulukkunadu Thekkeveedu R, Hegde S. Physicochemical properties and homology studies of the floral meristem identity gene LFY in nonflowering and flowering plants. BioTechnologia, 103(2), 113–129 (2022). (IF: 0.70)
  11. Roshni Pulukkunadu Thekkeveedu, Hegde S. In vitro spore germination and phytoremediation of Hg and Pb using gametophytes of Pityrogramma calomelanos. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 23(3), 307–315 (2021). (IF: 3.65)
  12. Hegde S, Karunasagar I. Building Research Competence in Undergraduate Students. Resonance, 26, 415–427 (2021). (IF: 0.38)
  13. Morajkar S, Hegde S. DNA Barcoding Identifies a Potential New Ecotype of Chinese Brake Fern, Pteris vittata L. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India, Section B, 91, 335–341 (2021). (IF: 1.40)
  14. Dwivedi S, Kushalan S, Paithankar JG, D’Souza LC, Hegde S, Sharma A. Environmental toxicants, oxidative stress and health adversities: interventions of phytochemicals. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 20, 1–21 (2021). (IF: 4.81)
  15. Morajkar S, Sajeev S, Hegde S. Spore morphology of selected pteridophytes found in the Western Ghats of India. Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia, 18(1), 99 (2021). (IF: 0.1336)
  16. Morajkar S, Hegde S. Biodiversity, richness and spatial distribution of extant pteridophytes in Kudremukh National Park, Western Ghats, India. Plant Science Today, 8(4), 848–858 (2021). (IF: 0.83)
  17. Suneetha C, Nagesha N, Nataraja A, Kandpal K, Muttu V, Hegde S. Ethnobotanical importance of pteridophytes of Agumbe Ghats. Indian Fern Journal, 38, 115–124 (2021)
  18. Prabhu SG, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Efficient biosorption of Pb (II) on Pteris vittata L. from aqueous solution using pulsed plate column technique. Separation Science and Technology, 55(17), 3089–3101 (2020). (IF: 2.47)
  19. Prabhu SG, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Pelletization of pristine Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder and its application as a biosorbent of Cd (II) and Cr (VI). SN Applied Sciences, 2(1), 1–9 (2020)
  20. Aloysius Khyahrii S, Sharanya K, Kini S, Gaurav R, Hegde S. Phytochemical analysis of Curculigo orchioides and its cytotoxic effect on lung adenocarcinoma cancer cell line. Medicinal Plants, 12(3), 400–404 (2020)
  21. Roshni PT, Hegde S. In vitro spore germination and gametophyte development in Pityrogramma calomelanos. Indian Fern Journal, 37, 59–66 (2020)
  22. Prabhu SG, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Spontaneous Cr (VI) and Cd (II) biosorption potential of native pinnae tissue of Pteris vittata L. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 21(4), 380–390 (2019)
  23. Badiger S, Jacob AM, Bangaraiah AS, Bhandary SK, Hegde S, Kumar P. Distribution of disabilities among populations in endosulfan exposed areas of Karnataka. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 6(9), 3948–3951 (2019)
  24. Severes A, D’Souza L, Hegde S. Microalgae derived biofuel as a prospective technology in India. Bionature, 14–22 (2019)
  25. Prabhu SG, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Surface treated Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder as biosorbent of heavy metals. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 20(9), 947–956 (2018)
  26. Sajeev S, Melo JS, Hegde S. Gamma radiation-induced in vitro hormetic apogamy in the fern Pityrogramma calomelanos. Biosystems, 173, 221–224 (2018)
  27. Severes A, Nivas S, D’Souza L, Hegde S. Diversity of freshwater microalgae of unexplored water bodies. Journal of Algal Biomass Utilization, 9(2), 31–40 (2018)
  28. Pallavi B, Nivas SK, D’Souza L, Ganapathi TR, Hegde S. Gamma rays induced variations in Zinnia elegans. Advances in Horticultural Science, 31(4), 267–273 (2017)
  29. Severes A, Hegde S, D’Souza L. Use of LEDs for enhanced lipid production in microalgae based biofuels. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B, 170, 235–240 (2017)
  30. Lahiri I, Gurung C, Bhandari J, Hegde S. Morpho-anatomical and biochemical characterization of Davallia griffithiana. Indian Fern Journal, 34, 26–35 (2017)
  31. Lahiri I, Gurung C, Hegde S. Pigment profiling and seasonal variations in pteridophytes. Indian Fern Journal, 34, 97–108 (2017)
  32. Pallavi B, Nivas SK, D’Souza L, Ganapathi T, Hegde S. Gamma radiosensitivity studies on Zinnia elegans. Bionature, 5–10 (2017)
  33. Prabhu SG, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Potential of pteridophytes in heavy metal phytoremediation. International Research in Engineering and Technology, 5, 1–9 (2016)
  34. Hegde S, D’Souza L. TIBA induced direct shoot morphogenesis in Millingtonia hortensis. Current Science, 111(1), 25–26 (2016)
  35. Morajkar S, Sajeev S, Hegde S. Ferns: a thriving group of urban dwellers. Bionature, 35, 13–21 (2015)
  36. Morajkar S, Sajeev S, Hegde S. DNA barcode for Stenochlaena palustris. Indian Fern Journal, 32, 124–131 (2015)
  37. Sajeev S, Pavithraraj, Adarsh DB, Hegde S. Phytoconstituent profile of medicinal ferns. Indian Fern Journal, 32, 244–256 (2015)
  38. Hegde S. An intriguing flora, environmental and ethnobotanical significance. Indian Fern Journal, 30, 1–9 (2014)
  39. Rodrigues JLK, Alva L, Hegde S, D’Souza L. In vitro morphogenesis in Millingtonia hortensis. Acta Biologica Indica, 2(2), 412–418 (2013)
  40. Niveditha KM, Chaithra G, Hegde S. Larvicidal properties of Millingtonia hortensis. Al-Shodhana, 1(1), 11–18 (2013)
  41. Rai VM, Pai VR, Kedilaya PH, Hegde S. Phytochemical screening of Lamiaceae members. IJPSRR, 21(1), 131–137 (2013)
  42. Khamar D, Devkar R, Reshma KK, Shreedhara CS, Setty MM, Hegde S. Enhanced hispidulin production in vitro. IJPBS, 2, 633–639 (2013)
  43. Aparna A, Pinto J, Goveas SW, Hegde S. SSR marker-based germplasm assessment of Oryza sativa. Global Journal of Applied Agricultural Research, 2(2), 71–80 (2012)
  44. Aparna A, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Isolation and production of biosurfactant by Bacillus clausii. Research in Biotechnology, 3(2), 49–56 (2012)
  45. Aparna A, Srinikethan G, Smitha H. Production and characterization of biosurfactant by Pseudomonas sp. Colloids and Surfaces B, 95, 23–29 (2012)
  46. Goveas SW, Hegde S, Nivas KK, D’Souza L. Berberine estimation in Coscinium fenestratum. International Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Biochemistry, 1(2), 145–152 (2011)
  47. Aparna A, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Effect of biosurfactant on crude oil biodegradation. International Proceedings of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering, 6, 71–75 (2011)
  48. Madhumathi M, Srinikethan G, Hegde S. Screening of gasoline degrading bacteria. Iranica Journal of Energy and Environment, 1(3), 184–191 (2010)
  49. Madhumathi M, Sriniketan G, Hegde S. Isolation of microorganisms from petroleum hydrocarbon waste. Explorations, 1(1), 91–100 (2008)
  50. Hegde S, Sreejesh PC, Prabhu V. Salinity tolerance in rice cultivars. Explorations, 1(1), 64–74 (2008)
  51. Nivas SK, Menon VK, Hegde S, D’Souza W, D’Souza L, Ghosh SB. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cashew. Acta Horticulturae, 738, 467–472 (2007)
  52. Hegde S, Menon VK, Noronha R, D’Souza L. Callus culture in Drynaria quercifolia. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant, 42(6), 508–513 (2006)
  53. Anuradha M, Nivas S, Hegde S, Rajendra K, Cardoza V, D’Silva I, D’Souza L. Challenges in cashew tissue culture. Plant Biotechnology, 301 (2006)
  54. Smitha Hegde, D’Souza L. Influence of nutrition on gametophyte development. Indian Fern Journal, 20, 71–77 (2003)
  55. Hegde S, Dhanraj AL, Suneetha C, D’Souza L. PCR amplification of tree-fern DNA. The Fern Gazette, 16(6) (2002)
  56. Hegde S, D’Souza L. 2iP as cytokinin for fern tissue culture. The Fern Gazette, 16(6) (2002)
  57. Hegde S, D’Souza L. In vitro sporophyte production from Drynaria quercifolia. Indian Fern Journal, 17, 72–76 (2000)
  58. Hegde S, D’Souza L. Effect of season on in vitro spore germination. Indian Fern Journal, 16(1–2), 30–34 (1999)
  59. D’Souza L, Augustine AC, Rajendra K, Smitha H, Vinitha C, Icy DS. Rejuvenation in micropropagation. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Symposium Proceedings, 22–28 (1999)
  60. Hegde S, D’Souza L. In vitro propagation of Millingtonia hortensis. Gartenbauwissenschaft, 60(6), 258–261 (1995)
  1. Rachel Carmelita Mathias, Pavana Shree, M. Annapoorneshwari, P.M. Krupa, J.S. Rajatha Sriram, and Smitha Hegde. The Mechanisms of Uptake, Translocation, and Distribution of Zinc in Plants. In: Zinc in Soil-Plant. Springer, 2025. Pg 63–96.
  2. Mathias R.C., Kushalan S., Hegde H., Jathanna N.N., Sharada P.S., Hegde S. Phycoremediation: Algae-based bioremediation. In: Algae Materials: Applications Benefiting Health. Academic Press, Elsevier, Oxford, 2023. Pg 451–469.
  3. Sharanya Kushalan, Khyahrii Aloysius S., Abigail Faith Rego, and Smitha Hegde. Bioactive Compounds and Biological Activities of Curculigo Species. In: Bioactive Compounds in the Storage Organs of Plants. Springer, Cham.
  4. Prabhu S. & Smitha Hegde. Pteridophytes as effective biosorption agents of heavy metals. In: Ferns – propagation, biotechnology, medicinal use and environmental regulation. Springer, Singapore, 2022. Pg 651–670.
  5. Morajkar S., Suneetha C., Harish Kumar T.G., Smitha Hegde. Molecular Markers in Pteridophytes. In: Ferns – propagation, biotechnology, medicinal use and environmental regulation. Springer, Singapore, 2022. Pg 99–134.
  6. Sudha Sajeev, Roshni P.T., Rachel Carmelita Mathias, Smruthi Prabhu, Shaiesh Morajkar, Smitha Hegde. Pteridophytes: effective agents of phytoremediation. In: Ferns – propagation, biotechnology, medicinal use and environmental regulation. Springer, Singapore, 2022. Pg 627–649.
  7. Suneetha C. & Smitha Hegde. Micropropagation of pteridophytes. In: Ferns – propagation, biotechnology, medicinal use and environmental regulation. Springer, Singapore, 2022. Pg 201–242.
  8. Sharanya Kushalan, Aloysius Khyarii S., Rachel Carmelita Mathias, and Smitha Hegde. Basics of Plant Tissue Culture. In: Laboratory Manual on Basic and Advanced Techniques in Health Science Research. Nitte Deemed to be University, 2022.
  9. Smitha Hegde & Shilpa Shetty (Eds). Recent trends and advances in Biomedical Sciences – An Integrated Approach. Nitte Deemed to be University, 2022.
  10. Hegde S., Nivas S., & D’Souza L. Anacardium occidentale – Cashew. In: Biotechnology of Fruit and Nut Crops. CABI, 2020. Pg 19–26.
  11. Kumar P., Ghaisas P., Morajkar S., Sajeev S., Rane S., & Smitha Hegde. Study of edaphic factors affecting natural population of Selaginella delicatula, Adiantum philippense & Pteris vittata. Proceedings of National Seminar on Herbal Technology & Ethnobotany, 2016.
  12. Lisha D’Costa, Prutha Mahale, Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev, Smitha Hegde. In-vitro studies of spore germination in Pityrogramma calomelanos. Proceedings of National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 2016.
  13. Pavan Kumar, Punnag Ghaisas, Shaiesh Morajkar, Sudha Sajeev, Snehal Rane, Smitha Hegde. Effect of seasonal variations on natural population of Selaginella delicatula, Adiantum philippense & Pteris vittata. Proceedings of National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 2016.
  14. Jyotsna Kurup, Nikitha H.S., Alifha Severes, Smitha Hegde, L. D’Souza. Screening high lipid accumulating local algal strains for biofuel production. Proceedings of National Seminar on Ethnobotany and Herbal Technology, 2016.
  15. Bhat B.G., Sanil D.D., D’Souza C., Hegde S.S., Morajkar S., Smitha Hegde. Soil factors affecting the invasive growth of Pteridium aquilinum in Kudremukh National Park. Lake 2016 Proceedings, IISc, Bangalore.
  16. Sangeeta S. & Smitha Hegde. Tree, People and City: A study of green cover of rapidly urbanizing Mangalore City. Lake 2016 Proceedings, IISc, Bangalore.
  17. Sudha Sajeev, Aparna A., Rajani M. Nayak, Lobsang Tsultrim, Shimju K.T., Melo J.S., Smitha Hegde. Screening native ferns for heavy metal accumulation. Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges and Prospects, 2013.
  18. Sudha Sajeev, Ramya P.V., Sunitha B.C., Smitha Hegde. Phytoremediation of cadmium using Pteris spp. Prospects in Bioscience, Springer, 2013.
  19. Smitha Hegde, Ujwal Prabhakar, Kavery Karumbaiah, L. D’Souza. Salinity tolerance studies of sugarcane varieties. Symposium Proceedings, 2012.
  20. Aparna A., Srinikethan G., Smitha Hegde. Biosurfactants – A Review. ICSE-2010 Proceedings.
  21. Aparna A., Srinikethan G., Smitha Hegde. Biosurfactant production and hydrocarbon degradation by bacterial strain 2B. National Conference Proceedings, 2010.
  22. Smitha Hegde. Basic laboratory guidelines while handling biological material. 2010.
  23. Smitha Hegde & Smitha Blessie. Angamsha Krishi. In: Naavu Matte Namma Parisara, 2010.
  24. Anuradha M., Shashikiran Nivas, Smitha Hegde, Rajendra K., Vinitha Cardoza, Icy D’Silva, L. D’Souza. Challenges in cashew tissue culture. 2005.
  25. Shashikiran Nivas, Icy D’Silva, Kavitha Kulkarni, Smitha Hegde, L. D’Souza. Long-term effects of tissue cultured plants. 2005.
  26. L. D’Souza, Smitha Hegde, Shashikiran Nivas, Rajendra K., Anuradha M. Stem cells: potential and applications. 2003.
  27. Smitha Hegde, D’Souza L., Rajendra K., Shashi Kiran, Anuradha M. Pathways in plant biotechnology. 2003.
  28. Smitha Hegde & D’Souza L. Conservation of tree ferns of the Western Ghats. 2003.
  29. Rajendra K., Nivas S., Smitha Hegde, Cardoza V., Anuradha M., D’Souza L. Biotechnological applications in Ayurvedic medicinal plants. 2002.
  30. Smitha Hegde & D’Souza L. Axenic culture of Drynaria quercifolia from spores. 2002.
  31. Smitha Hegde & D’Souza L. Recent advances in biotechnology of ferns. 2000.
  32. Rajendra K., Vinitha Cardoza, Smitha Hegde, Anuradha M., L. D’Souza. Production of herbal drugs in vitro. 2000.
  33. D’Souza L., Augustine A.C., Rajendra K., Smitha Hegde, Cardoza V., Icy D’Silva. Rejuvenation – a major problem in micropropagation. 1999.
  34. D’Souza L., Rajendra K., Vinitha Cardoza, Alice Clara Augustine, Smitha Hegde, Icy D’Silva. Micropropagation and conservation of medicinal plants. 1998.
  35. Kavitha R. Kulkarni, Smitha Hegde, D’Souza L. Micropropagation of Butea monosperma. 1997.
  36. Smitha Hegde, D’Souza L., Alice Clara Augustine. Cashew – A preliminary evaluation. 1997.
  37. Smitha Hegde & D’Souza L. In vitro studies of Drynaria quercifolia. 1997.
  38. D’Souza L., Smitha Hegde, Alice Clara Augustine, Rajendra K., Vinitha Cardoza, Kavitha Kulkarni. Cashew is a useful but hard nut to crack! 1997.
  39. Smitha Hegde & D’Souza L. In vitro propagation of Drynaria quercifolia. 1996.
  40. D’Souza L., Icy D’Silva, Smitha Mallya, A.C. Augustine, Rajendra K., K.R. Kulkarni, V. Cardoza. Anacardium occidentale L. (Cashewnut). 1996.
  41. D’Souza L. & Smitha Mallya. Effect of age and culture conditions of donor palms on coconut anthers cultured in vitro. 1993.