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Prof. Dr. Smitha Hegde — CFAL Research Centre
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Prof. Dr. Smitha Hegde
Director, CFAL Research Centre
Botanical Scientist & Sustainability Educator · PhD: [University — add] · Previously: [Previous institution — add]
35+ years in botany
100+ peer-reviewed publications
Patents in plant biotechnology
5 national funding agencies
Google Scholar → ResearchGate → ORCID → Scopus → Email →

About

Prof. Dr. Smitha Hegde is a botanical scientist with over 35 years of experience in environmental biotechnology, pteridology, and molecular ecology. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and holds patents in plant biotechnology.

Her research has focused on the molecular ecology of pteridophytes (ferns) in the Western Ghats — one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots — and on phytoremediation, using plants to clean contaminated water and soil of heavy metals including lead, mercury, and radioactive metals.

At CFAL, she directs the Research Centre's work across urban sustainability (AMARA initiative), coastal ecology (field station), pedagogy research, and the emerging PhD programme. She brings to the centre a track record of funded research from BRNS, DST, UGC, VGST, and BIAL.

Research Areas

Pteridology Phytoremediation Molecular Ecology Western Ghats Biodiversity LEAFY Gene Evolution Environmental Biotechnology Heavy Metal Sequestration Conservation Genetics Urban Sustainability

Current Projects at CFAL

AMARA — Mangaluru Urban Greening

Increasing Mangaluru's public green cover from 6.24% to 30% by 2040. 11,000+ trees of 145 species geotagged. Digital auditing methodology.

Active · Co-lead with Vijay Moras

Mysuru Comprehensive Tree Census

Partnership with MGP and SDMIMD. Applying the "Mangalore Model" to Mysuru's 60 wards.

Active · 2026

Coastal Field Station

Long-term ecological monitoring. 30,000+ mangroves restored at Adamkudru. Inaugurated by Dr. Sharachchandra Lele (ATREE).

Active · Ongoing data collection

PhD Programme Development

Sustainability, Education & Cognition. AU affiliation in progress. 2-3 scholars target for 2026-27.

In development · Target: 2026

Previous Funded Research

Grants held at previous institutional appointments. Expertise and methodology carry forward to CFAL.

BRNS — Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences

Bioprospecting ferns for heavy and radioactive metal remediation

DST — Department of Science & Technology

Environmental biotechnology and plant molecular biology

UGC — University Grants Commission

Phytoremediation of heavy metals using Brassica juncea and Nephrolepis

VGST — Vision Group on Science & Technology

Sustainable technologies for heavy metal pollution in changing environments

BIAL — Bangalore International Airport

Biodiversity assessment and flora documentation (40,000+ trees mapped)

Selected Publications

From 100+ peer-reviewed papers. Full list available on Google Scholar.

PTERIDOLOGY & WESTERN GHATS
[Title of pteridophyte spore morphology paper]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name], [Volume], [Pages] · DOI: [add]
[Title of Western Ghats biodiversity assessment]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name] · DOI: [add]
[Title of climate-linked fern distribution paper]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name] · DOI: [add]
PHYTOREMEDIATION
[Title of Pb biosorption using Pteris vittata]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name] · DOI: [add]
[Title of Hg/Pb mitigation using Pityrogramma calomelanos]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name] · DOI: [add]
MOLECULAR GENETICS
[Title of LEAFY gene evolutionary study]
Hegde, S., [co-authors] · [Journal Name] · DOI: [add]
📝 Populate from Dr. Hegde's Google Scholar profile. Include the top 10-15 most-cited papers with full citations and DOI links. Group by research area. This is the most important section of the profile page.

View all 100+ publications

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