The School of Sciences was established to strengthen and expand the research dimension of the college by promoting interdisciplinary scientific inquiry and advanced research activities. The school functions as a multidisciplinary research Centre that seeks to create a better world through research and extension activities in the areas of human health and well-being, biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
The school provides a collaborative academic platform that brings together different science disciplines, enabling faculty members and researchers to undertake innovative research, secure external funding, and engage in national and international collaborations. It offers cutting-edge research facilities and technical support for both academic and industry-oriented research, thereby fostering an environment that encourages scientific innovation and knowledge generation.
A key objective of the school is to strengthen the research culture of the institution by promoting high-quality research publications, patents, product development, and translational research, while supporting postgraduate and doctoral research. Through these initiatives, the School of Sciences aims to enhance scientific productivity and contribute to addressing contemporary scientific, technological, and environmental challenges.
♦ Division of Arachnology
♦ Division of Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics
♦ Division of Plant Science and Agricultural Biotechnology
♦ Division of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
♦ Division of New Product Development
Our VISION
To develop a future in which cutting-edge scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and community outreach work together to promote environmental sustainability and ensure the overall well-being of humanity.
Our MISSION
To transcend conventional academic boundaries by integrating diverse scientific disciplines and fostering innovative research, knowledge creation, and outreach that contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.
Division of Arachnology
The Division of Arachnology is a specialized research unit dedicated to the study of spiders and other arachnids, focusing on taxonomy, biodiversity, ecology, and applied environmental research. The division undertakes systematic documentation of arachnid diversity, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions such as the Western and Eastern Ghats, contributing to the understanding of species diversity, distribution, and habitat associations. It also explores the use of spiders and their webs as bioindicators of environmental pollution, including studies on heavy metals, microplastics, and airborne contaminants, and examines the ecological role of spiders as natural biocontrol agents in agroecosystems. The division is led by Dr. Mathew M. J., Senior Scientist (Arachnology), who holds a Ph.D. in Forest Entomology (Arachnology) from the Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun, and has carried out postdoctoral research in spider taxonomy and phylogeny at the University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum. The division also encourages interdisciplinary research on the biomedical potential of spider venom peptides and actively promotes arachnological research through student mentoring, collaborative projects, and involvement in international initiatives, including the organization of the 23rd International Congress of Arachnology (ICA 2026) to be held in Kochi.
Division of Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics
The Division of Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics is committed to advancing cutting-edge research on medicinal plants and plant-derived bioactive compounds to address pressing global health challenges. By integrating traditional herbal knowledge systems with advanced analytical, biochemical, and molecular sciences, the division aims to develop scientifically validated, safe, and standardized phytotherapeutic interventions. Our research focuses on transforming medicinal plant resources into high-value, evidence-based healthcare innovations through rigorous phytochemical profiling, pharmacological validation, and translational development. We actively promote the scientific substantiation of traditional medicinal claims, ensuring global acceptance and regulatory relevance of phytomedicines.
Division of Plant Science and Agricultural Biotechnology
The Division of Plant Science and Agricultural Biotechnology focuses on merging fundamental plant science research with advanced biotechnological tools to contribute to strengthening global food and nutritional security. This division aims to improve crop productivity, enhance nutritional quality, and develop climate-resilient varieties through modern biotechnology interventions. The division also plays a crucial role in conserving plant genetic resources, utilizing in situ and ex situ methods. Additionally, the division strives to promote millet cultivation and millet-based value-added products worldwide.
Division of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
The Division of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry stands at the vital intersection of chemical innovation and biological discovery. The primary goal is the design and optimization of small molecules to address global health challenges. By utilizing high-quality screening and Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies, researchers transform basic chemical frameworks into potent therapeutic agents. A cornerstone of this division is the development of synthetic methodologies through transition-metal and nano-catalysis. Moreover, a transformative synthetic strategy focuses on the direct introduction of functional groups into complex or fully assembled small molecules to enhance biological activity.
Division of New Product Development
The New Product Development Division within Academic Research and Development serves as the strategic engine that transforms raw scientific discoveries into commercially viable and consumer-ready solutions. Operating at the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern technology, this division bridges the gap between laboratory-scale development and industrial-scale application. In the context of human health and well-being, this division focuses primarily on the development of standardized herbal formulations and nutraceutical supplements. These innovations are instrumental in the global fight against chronic and infectious diseases, offering evidence-based, low-toxicity alternatives to conventional therapies. Moreover, the division is actively involved in the development of herbal cosmetics and cosmeceuticals.
Research Personnel
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Name | Dr. Mathew M. J |
| Designation | Senior Scientist | |
| Division | Arachnology | |
| Email ID | mathew.m@bharatamatacollege.in |
Dr. Mathew M. J. is an arachnologist and former Head of the Department of Zoology at Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Thevara, Kochi. He holds a Ph.D. in Arachnology from the Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun, and completed a Postdoctoral Programme in spider taxonomy and phylogeny at the University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum under the prestigious Endeavour Award for Postdoctoral Research instituted by the Australian Government. Following his retirement from active teaching, he continues his research as Senior Scientist (Arachnology) at the Division of Arachnology, School of Sciences, Bharata Mata College (Autonomous), Thrikkakara. His research interests encompass spider taxonomy, diversity, and ecology, with a particular focus on documenting spider diversity in the Western and Eastern Ghats. He also explores the use of spiders and their webs as bioindicators of environmental pollution, including studies on heavy metals, microplastics, and airborne contaminants. In addition, his work examines the ecological role of spiders as natural biocontrol agents in agroecosystems and investigates the biomedical potential of spider venom peptides through computational approaches. Dr. Mathew actively mentors students and young researchers and works to promote arachnological research and biodiversity documentation in India. He is also one of the organizers of the 23rd International Congress of Arachnology (ICA 2026) to be held in Kochi, which will bring together leading arachnologists from around the world.
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Name | Dr. K. Athesh |
| Designation | Scientist | |
| Division | Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics | |
| Email ID | athesh.k@bharatamatacollege.in |
Dr. K. Athesh is a scientist specializing in herbal drug research with over 18 years of academic and research experience. He obtained his M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India, with his Ph.D. awarded in 2015. He further strengthened his academic credentials by qualifying the TNSET in 2018 and the UGC–CSIR NET for Lectureship in 2019. Prior to joining the Division of Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics, Dr. K. Athesh served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, where he contributed significantly to teaching, research, and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students for nearly two decades. He has made significant scholarly contributions to the field, with over 20 research publications in peer-reviewed journals, one patent, and a UGC-funded Minor Research Project to his credit. His research focuses on the phytopharmacological evaluation of traditional medicinal plants, particularly exploring plant-based therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic disorders. His work emphasizes the identification and validation of bioactive phytochemicals and aims to bridge traditional herbal knowledge with modern biochemical and pharmacological research to develop evidence-based phytotherapeutic interventions.
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Name | Mr. G. Hari Haran |
| Designation | Research Associate | |
| Division | Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutics | |
| Email ID | hariharan.g@bharatamatacollege.in |
Mr. G. Hari Haran, has graduated Bachelor’s, Master’s and M.Phil. in Biochemistry from Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous), Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a Gold Medalist for 1st Rank in B.Sc., Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India [2012] and Gold Medalist for 1st Rank in M.Sc., Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India [2014]. Currently he is pursuing his Ph.D. in the field of Diabetes and Pharmacology at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. Previously he has worked as an Assistant Professor in Biochemistry for 9 years at Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous), Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India as academic journey and 11 years of research experience. His research area is based on Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy, with 46 students' academic projects completed since 2016. His research interests are Diabetes, Cancer Biology, Phytochemistry and Arthritis. He has completed in vitro and in vivo methodologies with various plant extracts, including antioxidants, phytochemical screening, physicochemical standards, organic analysis, and mineral analysis. He has published 13 Research articles and 11 review articles in international journals, 4 book chapters in this a book chapter published in Taylor and Francis group. He has hold one Indian patent. He has 4 conference proceedings at international level and 2 conference proceedings at National level. He has presented 11 papers in international conferences and 5 papers at National level conferences. He has presented 1 Poster at International level and 1 poster at National level conferences. He has received 4 Best Oral Presentation Awards at the International level conferences.
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Name | Dr. T.P. Ajeesh Krishna |
| Designation | Senior Scientist | |
| Division | Plant Science and Agricultural Biotechnology | |
| Email ID | ajeeshkrishnatp@bharatamatacollege.in |
Dr. T.P. Ajeesh Krishna is a Senior Scientist at the Division of Plant Science and Agricultural Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Bharata Mata College (Autonomous), Kochi, Kerala, India. His research mainly focuses on the small millet improvements, especially on nutrient transporters and metabolic engineering in small millets. Formerly, he worked as a Scientist-B at the Division of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India. Also, he worked as a senior research fellow (2014-2018) at the Division of Plant Biotechnology, Entomology Research Institute (ERI), Loyola College, Tamil Nadu, India, on an agricultural innovation project in the field of finger millet improvement through genomic-assisted breeding approaches. He has completed an M.Sc. in Botany from the Department of Biology, Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Tamil Nadu, India, and a Ph.D. in Botany-Entomology (Interdisciplinary) at the Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr. Ajeesh Krishna did his postdoctoral research work in the area of the development and optimization of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in small millets at the Division of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India, from 2021 to 2025. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, having over 1790 citations and an H-index of 24. He has received many research awards for significant research contributions in the field of agriculture. He is serving as an editorial board member of Tropical Plant Biology (Springer Nature) and Frontiers in Plant Science, as well as a recognized reviewer in many journals (Springer Nature, Elsevier, Wiley, MDPI, Bentham, Frontiers, etc.). Additionally, he holds the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, at the Tropical Biodiversity Conservation Center, Kerala, India, since 2023.
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Name | Dr. T.P. Adarsh Krishna |
| Designation | Senior Scientist | |
| Division | Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry | |
| Email ID | draktp@bharatamatacollege.in |
Dr. Adarsh Krishna received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India. He was awarded a UGC-RFSMS fellowship for his doctoral program in 2016. He received his MSc in Organic Chemistry from the School of Herbal Studies and Natural Sciences, Dravidian University, Andhra Pradesh, India. He received the Pratibha Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. He started his research career as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Ethnopharmacology (ICAR-EFC), KVASU, Kerala. Previously, he had 5 years of industrial experience as a Scientist-II in the New Product Development Division of Sreedhariyam Farmherbs India (P) Ltd., Kerala, India. Moreover, he worked as the MHRD-Institution Innovation Council Student Coordinator and RUSA Project Monitoring Member at Bharathidasan University during 2018-2020. He is currently working as a Senior Scientist in the Division of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Sciences, Bharat Mata College (Autonomous). In addition, he is also working as the Deputy Director, Department of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research, CTBC, Kerala. His research interests are mainly focused on Medicinal chemistry, Natural products, Late-stage functionalization, Transition-metal, Nano-catalysis, etc. He has published more than 30 papers.