Narendra Kumar has obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science from the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, India. Dr Kumar is an active researcher with 18 years of post graduate teaching and research experience. He started his career as Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur, U.P., India. Thereafter, in 2005 he has joined as Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. He has published more than 40 research papers and 20 book chapters with reputed National and International publishers. Five Ph.D. degree has been awarded under the supervision of Dr. Kumar and currently three research scholars are working under his guidance for doctoral degree. In addition Dr. Kumar has guided more than 40 students for their M.Sc. dissertation work. He has coedited 4 books; 'Environmental Concerns and Sustainable Development' in two volumes, 'Plant Adaptation Strategies in Changing Environment' and 'Phyto and Rhizoremediation' which are published by Springer. Vertika Shukla did M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry and Ph.D. in 2003 on the topic "Chemical Study of Macrolichens of Garhwal Himalayas" from H.N.B. Garhwal University. Presently, she is working as Resource Person in the Department of Geology, at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, India. During her more than 19 years research experience, she has been awarded 3 fellowships awarded by DST, New Delhi (two projects were pursued in CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute and one project in Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, India). Till now she has published more than 70 scientific articles in reputed national and international journals, mostly in SCI journals and presented research findings in seminar and symposia. She has authored one book 'Lichens to Biomonitor the Environment' and coedited five book volumes. Presently she is chief editor of the journal "Cryptogam Biodiversity Assessment" an official publication of Indian Lichenological Society, India. She has contributed significantly in the field of biomonitoring and bioprospection studies using lichens. She has effectively utilized lichens to predict the spatio-temporal behaviour and environmental fate of atmospheric fallouts including metals and organic contaminants (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Pesticides) in high altitude regions of Garhwal Himalaya in India.
