Dr. Shivani Sharma joined PAU as Assistant Mycologist on 12.09.2016 after completing B.Sc (Medical) from Punjabi University (Patiala) in 2006, M.Sc (Microbiology) from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in 2008 and PhD (Microbiology) from PAU in 2012. She has worked with Dr. DK Benbi (Former National Professor, ICAR) from October 2012- February 2015 and Graduate Research Assistant in University of Saskatchewan from March 2015- August 2016. She joined as Assistant Mycologist on 12.09.2016 and Mycologist (Mushroom) on 12.09.2019 (till date). She held the additional charge of Assistant Warden Girls Hostel No. 11 and 12 from 14.08.2017-14.08.2021. Her field of specialization is Industrial Microbiology (Mushroom). Currently, she is working in All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushrooms (ICAR) as PI. She has guided 10 MSc students and 03 PhD students as major advisor, published 26 research papers in national and international journals and presented 18 papers in national and international conferences. She has conducted various trainings and lectures to guide farmers and entrepreneurs on mushroom cultivation. Presently, she is the co-chairperson of the research committee of Department of Microbiology. She is a life member of Horticultural Society of India 8936-2019, Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI): 4595-2017, Punjab Science Congress L-1516, Mycological Society of India: 3414, The Microbiologist Society of India-LM-297.

Professional Accomplishments

Awards and Recognitions:

1. Food and Bioproduct Sciences (FABS) Devolved Scholarship, University of Saskatchewan

2. Yadavindra Young Scientist Award
3. Award of Honour for proficiency in Academics from the Society for Advancement of Academics, Sports Cultural Activities (SAASCA), PAU, Ludhiana

Research Project 

• All India Coordinating Research Project on Mushroom (AICRP-M; as PI) On going since 1983 ICAR
• Research and Development of Mushroom Cultivation in Punjab (as Co-PI) On going1979 State funded

Research Publications:

1. Kaur P, Sharma S, Albarakaty FM, Kalia A, Hassan MM and Abd-Elsalam KA (2022) Biosorption and bioleaching of heavy metals from electronic waste varied with microbial genera. Sust 14(2):935. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020935 (NAAS Rating 9.30)

2. Madaan K, Sharma S and Kalia A (2023). Effect of selenium and zinc biofortification on the biochemical parameters of Pleurotus spp. under submerged and solid-state fermentation. J Trace Elem Med & Biol 82:10. 1016/j.jtemb.2023.127365. (NAAS Rating 9.60)

3. Kaur M, Sharma S, Kalia A, Sandhu N (2024). Essential oils and their blends: mechanism of antibacterial activity and antibiofilm potential on food-grade maize starch packaging films. Int Microbiol 27:1707-1724. 10.1007/s10123-024-00514-w (NAAS Rating 8.30)

4. Debbarma S, Sharma S and Kalia A (2024). Pleurotus extract–mediated selenium and zinc nanoparticles exhibited improved yield of biofortified fruit bodies. Int Microbiol 28:107-118. 10.1007/s10123-024-00527-5 (NAAS Rating 8.30)

5. Jain D, Kalia A, Sharma S and Manchanda P (2024). Genome editing tools based improved applications in macrofungi. Mol Biol Rep 51. 10.1007/s11033-024-09809-7. (NAAS Rating 8.60)

6. Kaur M, Sharma S, Kalia A and Jawandha SK (2024) Maize starch-PVA nanocomposite biodegradable antimicrobial packaging films for enhancement of shelf-life of Agaricus bisporus. Sust Mater & Technol 41.10.1016/j.susmat.2024.e01114. (NASS Rating 10.08)

7. Kaur M, Sharma S and Kalia A (2024). Nano-laminated clay-essential oil composite formulations: Key mechanistic antibacterial processes and in vitro antibiofilm activity. J Drug Delivery Sci & Technol 104:106447. 10.1016/j.jddst.2024.106447 (NAAS Rating 11.00)