The extensive safety restrictions imposed globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic have brought significant changes to almost all environmental parameters. The largest pandemic of the century has left an indelible mark on all aspects of human life and the environment. This book revolves around COVID-19 and its influence on all biotic and abiotic components on earth, with a focus on the regulatory role of air quality during the pandemic, environmental toxicity and susceptibility to COVID-19, and the impact of the lockdown on different ecosystems. The book fundamentally explains the biology of SARS-CoV-2 and the pathophysiology and epidemiology of COVID-19. Dedicated chapters highlight the ongoing global cutting-edge research on COVID-19, control and safety measures, and public health concerns.
COVID-19 and Emerging Environmental Trends: A Way Forward is aimed at graduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers in environmental and medical science, health and safety, and ecology. This book offers a multiperspective and multidisciplinary approach to the discussion of the pandemic as well as emerging environmental issues, current trends, and a way forward. As humanity stands face-to-face with the largest global crisis in recent times, this book helps readers to easily understand its various aspects from a beginners perspective, without going into the intricate technicalities of medical science or environmental science, and beautifully juxtaposes critical issues with lucid language and flexible scientific explanations.
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xiii | |
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1 Introduction to Coronaviruses and COVID-19 |
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1 | (14) |
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1 | (1) |
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1.2 Coronavirus: Definition, History, and Classification |
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2 | (3) |
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5 | (1) |
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1.4 Origin of the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-19) |
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6 | (1) |
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1.5 Nomenclature of Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-19) and the Disease |
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7 | (1) |
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8 | (1) |
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1.7 Transmission of COVID-19 |
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9 | (2) |
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11 | (4) |
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2 Biology of Coronaviruses with Special Reference to SARS-CoV-2 |
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15 | (14) |
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15 | (1) |
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2.2 SARS-CoV-2 Structure and Function |
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16 | (5) |
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2.2.1 Basic Structure of SARS-CoV-2 |
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16 | (1) |
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16 | (1) |
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17 | (1) |
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17 | (1) |
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18 | (1) |
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18 | (1) |
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2.2.1.1 Nucleocapsid Protein |
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2.2.2 Basic Structure of Genetic Material of SARS-CoV-2 |
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2.2.2.2 Spike Protein Gene |
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20 | (1) |
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2.2.2.2 Envelope Protein Gene |
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2.2.2.2 Membrane Protein Gene |
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20 | (1) |
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2.2.2.2 Nucleocapsid Protein Gene |
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20 | (1) |
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2.3 Lifecycle of SARS-CoV-2 |
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21 | (4) |
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2.3.1 Attachment and Entry |
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21 | (2) |
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2.3.2 Replication and Transcription of Viral Genetic Material |
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23 | (2) |
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2.3.3 Assembly and Release of Viral Particle |
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25 | (1) |
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25 | (3) |
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2.4.1 Pneumonia to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Underlying Cause |
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26 | (1) |
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2.4.2 Cough with Mucus in Patients with ARDS: Consolidation |
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26 | (1) |
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2.4.3 Reason behind High Body Temperature (Pyrexia), Increased Heart Rate (Tachycardia), and Increased Respiratory Rate (Tachypnea) |
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27 | (1) |
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2.4.4 Reason behind Septic Shock and Multisystem Organ Failure (MSOF) |
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27 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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3 Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of COVID-19 |
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29 | (18) |
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29 | (1) |
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3.2 Epidemiology of COVID-19 |
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30 | (6) |
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31 | (2) |
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3.2.2 Basic Reproduction Number (R0) |
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33 | (2) |
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35 | (1) |
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3.3 Pharmacology of COVID-19 |
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36 | (2) |
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3.3.1 Designing of Interventions Based on Receptor-Binding Processes |
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36 | (1) |
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3.3.2 Designing of Interventions Based on Uncoating, Replication, and Translation of Viral Genetic Material |
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37 | (1) |
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3.3.3 Designing of Interventions Based on the Synthesis of Structural Proteins and Assembly of Viral Particles |
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38 | (1) |
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3.4 Diagnosis of COVID-19 |
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38 | (3) |
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3.5 Conventional Treatment of COVID-19 |
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41 | (3) |
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3.5.1 Investigational Antiviral Agents |
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41 | (1) |
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3.5.2 Immunomodulators and Other Investigational Therapies |
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42 | (2) |
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44 | (3) |
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4 COVID-19 Precautions and Management Strategies |
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47 | (16) |
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47 | (1) |
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4.2 Maintaining Proper Hand Hygiene |
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48 | (8) |
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4.3 Maintaining Proper Respiratory Etiquette |
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56 | (2) |
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4.4 Cleaning and Disinfection of Surfaces in Nonhealthcare Settings |
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58 | (2) |
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4.5 Maintaining Proper Self-Isolation and Quarantine and Seeking Medical Care |
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60 | (1) |
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60 | (3) |
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5 Cutting-Edge Research to Combat COVID-19 |
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63 | (12) |
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63 | (1) |
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5.2 Research and Development of Vaccines |
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64 | (2) |
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5.3 Research and Development of Antibody-Directed Therapies |
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66 | (2) |
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5.4 Investigational Immunotherapies Associated with COVID-19 |
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68 | (2) |
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5.5 Investigational Devices Associated with COVID-19 |
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70 | (1) |
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71 | (4) |
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6 Public Health Concerns and Issues Regarding COVID-19 |
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75 | (18) |
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75 | (1) |
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6.2 Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health during Pandemic (COVID-19) |
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76 | (3) |
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6.2.1 Self-care of Sexual and Reproductive Health during Pandemic (COVID-19) |
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76 | (1) |
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6.2.2 Contraception, Family Planning during Pandemic (COVID-19) |
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76 | (2) |
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6.2.3 Pregnancy, Child Birth, and Pandemic (COVID-19) |
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78 | (1) |
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6.2.4 Breastfeeding and COVID-19 |
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78 | (1) |
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6.3 Age Group-Related Issues during COVID-19 |
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79 | (4) |
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79 | (2) |
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81 | (1) |
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82 | (1) |
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6.4 Maintaining Physical Health during COVID-19 |
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83 | (1) |
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6.5 Maintaining Mental Health during COVID-19 |
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84 | (3) |
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6.6 Maintaining Proper Nutrition and Food Safety during COVID-19 |
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87 | (4) |
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91 | (2) |
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7 COVID-19 and Environmental Perspectives |
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93 | (20) |
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93 | (3) |
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7.1 Environmental Toxicities Might Encourage Susceptibility to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Commentary |
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96 | (3) |
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7.2 Impact of COVID-19-Related Shutdown on Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Level in Kolkata: A Case Study |
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99 | (8) |
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7.2.1 Reason for Such Observations |
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105 | (2) |
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107 | (4) |
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111 | (2) |
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8 Trends in Water Pollution during the COVID-19 Lockdown Phase |
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113 | (8) |
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8.1 Status of Brackish Water Phytoplankton during COVID 19 Lockdown Phase |
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113 | (3) |
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8.2 Status of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in COVID-19 Pandemic Period |
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116 | (3) |
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119 | (2) |
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9 Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 |
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121 | |
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Joystu Dutta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Sant Gahira Guru University, Sarguja, a state university of the Government of Chhattisgarh. His main activities are teaching, research, and extension and engaged in supervising administrative activities in various capacities. He is a member of IUCN Commission of Ecosystem Management. He is a DST Inspire Fellow and also holds UNESCO scholarships besides UGC NET Lectureship in Environmental Sciences. He has written over 20 research papers in the national and international journals. He has participated in collaborative research projects with organizations such as JNU, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, to name a few, as well as short-term consultancy-based projects with organizations such as Sahapedia and forest departments. Previously, he was with Reliance Foundation, CSR Wing of Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai, as an Assistant Programme Manager (APM). He has more than 2 years of work experience in the field of rural development, advocacy, and corporate communications. He has also done internship as a Young Development Professional (YDP) with Reliance Foundation. He has received Gold Medals during his graduation and postgraduation studies and also received several accolades for the excellent professional achievements such as Vice Chancellors Best Employee Award and Young Scientist Award by Indian Environmental Science Academy, among many others. He also voraciously writes in journals and newsletters and is in the Editorial Review Board of various national and international journals. Mr. Dutta loves to work with communities at grass root levels. During leisure, Joystu is busy reading story books, writing poems and plays, traveling to new places, and swimming. He is also an established stage actor and writes as well as direct plays for his students. His university team has received National Award from Digital India Program, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India for the best play at the university level. Currently, Mr. Dutta is pursuing his doctoral research in Environmental Toxicology besides engaging himself with Voice of Environment, a Guwahati-based NGO that works in the sector of environmental awareness and sustainable conservation approaches.
Srijan Goswami is the Founder Director of the Indian School of Complementary Therapy and Allied Sciences, Kolkata, India (Non-Government and Non-Profit Organization). Presently, he is the Guest Faculty of Immunology and Physiology at the Department of Zoology (PG courses), Serampore College, India. He worked as Assistant professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Badu, India, till July 2018 and as a Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, Webel Informatics Limited, Basirhat College Unit, India, till June 2016. Dr. Goswami is a Physician of Biochemic System of Medicine and also holds specialization in Medical Biotechnology and Clinical Nutrition. He received his professional training on Community Nutrition and Child Care, Medical Microbiology, and Medical Biochemistry from reputed medical colleges in Kolkata, India and holds a PGDSE from Webel, India. He has around 7 years of experience in the field of teaching and research and has written 20 research papers in the national and international journals. He has independently and success fully guided around ten undergraduate and postgraduate students to complete their research work and publications in the past 3 years. He acted as an Examination Superintendent for National Digital Literacy Mission at Pravda Infotech Pvt. Ltd (Basirhat), India, in 2016. He has qualified in PhD Entrance Examination conducted by the Department of Biotechnology, MAKAUT, in 2018. Dr. Goswami has received three Letters of Commendation for Global Community Services and Certificate of Honor for his contribution in the field of Science and Knowledge from the International Journal of Agricultural Research, Sustainability and Food Sufficiency (IJARSFS), International Journal of Advances in Medical Sciences and Biotechnology (IJAMSB), and International Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE) in 2019 and 2020. The Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science (Enviro Research Group) and Academia Scholarly Journals have awarded him the Certificate of Excellence as a Reviewer in 2020. He is actively associated as Editorial Review Board Member of 15 international journals and holds the post of Honorary Vice-Principal and Head of the Department of Physiology at Shree Krishna Biochemic College, Kolkata, India. Currently, Dr. Goswami is pursuing his second professional MSc in Clinical Dietetics. His domain of expertise includes Molecular Biology, Medical Informatics, Clinical Nutrition, Immunonutrition, Mechanism of Drug Action, Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Holistic Science, and One Health.
Abhijit Mitra is an Associate Professor and Former Head in the Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, India and has been active in the sphere of Oceanography since 1985. He obtained his PhD as a NET-qualified scholar in 1994 after securing Gold Medal in MSc (Marine Science) from the University of Calcutta. Since then, he joined Calcutta Port Trust and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in various capacities to carry out research programs on environmental science, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, and carbon sequestration. Presently, Dr. Mitra is serving Techno India University as a Director of Research. He has to his credit about 553 scientific publications in various national and international journals and 42 books of postgraduate standards. He is presently the member of several committees like PACON International, IUCN, SIOS, etc. and has successfully completed about 19 projects on biodiversity loss in fishery sector, coastal pollution, alternative livelihood, climate change, and carbon sequestration. Dr. Mitra also visited as a faculty member and was invited as a speaker in several foreign universities of Singapore, Kenya, Oman, and USA. In 2008, Dr. Mitra was invited as a visiting fellow at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, USA, to deliver a series of lecture on climate change. Dr. Mitra also successfully guided 38 PhD students. Presently, his domain of expertise includes Environmental Science, Mangrove Ecology, Sustainable Aquaculture, Alternative Livelihood, climate Change, and Carbon Sequestration.
