Dr. Felix Bast
Associate Professor
Department of Botany
School of Basic and Applied Sciences
Central University of Punjab
Bathinda- 151001
Email Id: felix.bast@gmail.com 
Mobile: +91 9872152694

Total SCI indexed journal articles: 41, Book Chapters: 10, Books: 4, Popular Science articles and newspaper essays: 17,
h-index: 12,
i10 index: 13,
Total Publications: 70

• Algal Taxonomy, DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Phylogenetics and Phylogeography, Phylolinguistics, Evolutionary sociopolitics, Antarctic Flora, Scientific Thinking, Philosophy of Science and Science Communication

1. New algal species discovered: Ulva paschima, Cladophora goensis, Ulva uniseriata
2. New records: Endophytic algae Ulvella leptochaete for the first time in Indian Ocean, Sargassum zhangii, Trentepohlia annulata and Ulva sapora first records in India
3. Open access database of Indian Algae, dbIndAlgae released
4. Discovery that spores of subaerial green algae Trentepohlia annulata caused blood rain in Kerala
5. Science Communicator, with frequent contributions in all major science magazines in India (Resonance, Science Reporter, Dream-2047).  Involved with science popularization talks and science community outreach through local libraries, schools and colleges.
6. Explored major coastal intertidal habitats of India, Japan, UK, Scandinavia and North Western US and Canada. Exploration team member of 36th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.
7. An early adopter of e-learning; involved with UGC e-PG pathshala and UGC SWAYAM MOOC.
8. Involved with science education in schools through KSSP/INYAS/INSPIRE. Charity works for science education through Felix Foundation.

1. Member of national COVID-19 Task Force, INSA (2020)
2. Elected member of INSA-INYAS (2019)
3. Elected in National Core Committee of INSA-INYAS (Biology and Medicine) (2020)
4. DST-INSA-INSPIRE Faculty Award Phylogenetic Diversity of Seaweeds (2012)
5. Inspired Teacher recognition Invited In-Resident Intern with President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (2015)
6. Teacher Innovator Award Commendation certificate, MHRD, Government of India (2020)
7. NAM-ZMT Germany International Guest Scientist Award (2018)
8. Japanese Govt. Monbukagakusho:MEXT International Doctoral Fellowship 2005
9. British Phycological Society Student Bursary Award-2009
10. CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test Qualified Dec 2001 for JRF and Lectureship, Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship at NIO, Goa- 2002, University First Rank (2000)

• Member of British Phycological Society, Phycological Society of America, Indian Lichenological Society and Indian Linguistics Society.
• Reviewer for a large number of academic journals.

1. Sharma, S., Mehra, R. and Bast, F. (2019) Molecular Phylogeography of Ficus benghalensis Linnaeus using nrDNA ITS 1, cpDNA trnL and cpDNA rps16 from Indian subcontinent. Current Science 117 (2) 293-298
2. BAST, F., and RANI, P (2019) “First report of uniseriate free-living Ulva species, with description of new species Ulva uniseriata sp. nov (Chlorophyta, Ulvales).” Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences 48(11) 1687-1691
3. RANI, P and BAST, F. (2019) “First report of Ulva sapora (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) from Indian subcontinent” International Journal of Plant and Environment 5 (1)
4. BAST, F., KUNDU, P, and RANI, P (2017) Taxonomical Synonymy of Red Seaweed Gracilaria foliifera (Forsskal) Borgesen, 1932 with Gracilaria corticata J. Agardh, 1852 based on Multi- Local Phylogeny. International Journal of Plant and Environment 3 (2) 35-45 PDF
5. BAST, F. and KAUR, N (2017) Nuclear and Plastid DNA Sequence-based Molecular Phylogeography of Salvadora oleoides (Salvadoraceae) in Punjab, India Reveals Allopatric Speciation in Anthropogenic Islands Due to Agricultural Expansion. J Phylogenetics Evol Biol 5:S1 DOI: 10.4172/2329-9002.1000180 PDF
6. BAST, F. JOHN, AA and BHUSHAN, S (2016) Molecular assessment of invasive Carrageenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii from India based on ITS-1. Webbia- Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography (Taylor and Francis, UK). 71 (2) 287-292 PDF
7. BAST,F, JOHN, AA and BHUSHAN, S (2016) New record of Sargassum zhangii (Sargassaceae, Fucales) in India based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA barcodes. Webbia- Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography (Taylor and Francis, UK). 71 (2) 293-298  PDF
8. BHUSHAN, S., MEHRA, R., RANI, P. AND BAST, F 2016 "DbIndAlgae: Online resource of Seaweeds of Indian coasts". Current Science (IF: 0.8) 111 (4):717-723 PDF
9. BAST, F., JOHN, A.A. AND BHUSHAN, S. 2015.Cladophora goensis- a bloom forming marine algae from Goa, India. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences 44 (12) 1874-1879 (IF:0.57) PDF
10. BAST, F, BHUSHAN, S., JOHN A.A., ACHANKUNJU, J., PANIKKAR N.M.V., HEMETNER, C., AND STOCKER-WÖRGÖTTE, E. 2015 European Species of Subaerial Green Alga Trentepohlia  annulata  (Trentepohliales,  Ulvophyceae)  Caused  Blood  Rain  in  Kerala,  India.  J  Phylogen  Evolution  Biol  3:  144.  PDF
11. BAST, F., BHUSHAN, S. AND JOHN, A.A. 2015. Brown barcoded as red but reality is green! How epiphytic green algae confuse phycologists? Webbia- Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography (Taylor and Francis, UK) 70(1) 59-63 DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2015.1014217 PDF
12. BAST, F. 2015. Taxonomic reappraisal of Monostromataceae (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) Based on Multi-Locus Phylogeny. Webbia- Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography (Taylor and Francis, UK) 70 (1): 43-57 DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2015.1004845 PDF
13. BAST, F., KUBOTA, S. AND OKUDA, K. 2014. Phylogeographic Assessment of Panmictic Monostroma Species from Kuroshio Coast, Japan Reveals Sympatric Speciation. Journal of Applied Phycology (IF:2.5) , 27(4): 1725-1735, 2015. DOI 10.1007/s10811-014-0452-x PDF
14. BAST, F., and K. OKUDA. 2010. Gametangial Ontogeny in Intertidal Green Alga:  Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock. International Journal of Plant Reproductive Biology. 2: 11-15. PDF
15. BAST, F., M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Spatiotemporal Sex Ratios of a Dioecious Marine Green Alga: Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock. International Journal on Algae. 11: 141-150. PDF
16. BAST, F., S. SHIMADA, M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Asexual life history by biflagellate zoids in Monostroma latissimum (Ulotrichales). Aquatic Botany (IF:2.250) 91: 213-218. PDF
17. BAST, F., S. SHIMADA, M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Seasonality and thallus ontogeny of edible seaweed Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock (Chlorophyta, Monostromataceae) from Tosa Bay, Kochi, Japan. Hydrobiologia (IF:1.985) 630: 161-167. PDF
18. BAST, F., JOHN, A.A. AND BHUSHAN, S. 2014. Strong endemism of bloom-forming tubular Ulva in Indian west coast, with description of Ulva paschima Sp. Nov. (Ulvales, Chlorophyta). PLoS ONE 9(10): e109295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109295 (IF:3.73) PDF
19. BAST, F., BHUSHAN, S AND JOHN, A.A. 2014. DNA Barcoding of a new record of epi-endophytic green algae Ulvella leptochaete (Ulvellaceae, Chlorophyta) in India. Journal of Biosciences 39:711-716 (IF:1.8) PDF
20. BAST, F., and K. OKUDA. 2010. Gametangial Ontogeny in Intertidal Green Alga:  Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock. International Journal of Plant Reproductive Biology. 2: 11-15. PDF
21. BAST, F., M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Spatiotemporal Sex Ratios of a Dioecious Marine Green Alga: Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock. International Journal on Algae. 11: 141-150. PDF
22. BAST, F., S. SHIMADA, M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Asexual life history by biflagellate zoids in Monostroma latissimum (Ulotrichales). Aquatic Botany (IF:2.250) 91: 213-218. PDF
23. BAST, F., S. SHIMADA, M. HIRAOKA, and K. OKUDA. 2009. Seasonality and thallus ontogeny of edible seaweed Monostroma latissimum (Kützing) Wittrock (Chlorophyta, Monostromataceae) from Tosa Bay, Kochi, Japan. Hydrobiologia (IF:1.985) 630: 161-167. PDF
24. BAST, F., JOHN, A.A. AND BHUSHAN, S. 2014. Strong endemism of bloom-forming tubular Ulva in Indian west coast, with description of Ulva paschima Sp. Nov. (Ulvales, Chlorophyta). PLoS ONE 9(10): e109295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109295 (IF:3.73) PDF
25. BAST, F., BHUSHAN, S AND JOHN, A.A. 2014. DNA Barcoding of a new record of epi-endophytic green algae Ulvella leptochaete (Ulvellaceae, Chlorophyta) in India. Journal of Biosciences 39:711-716 (IF:1.8) PDF
26. Mehra, R., Bhushan, S., Bast, F., & Singh, S. (2019). Marine macroalga Caulerpa: role of its metabolites in modulating cancer signaling. Molecular biology reports, 46(3):3545-3555.
27. Mehra, R., Bhushan, S., Yadav, U.P., Bast, F. and Singh, S (2019). Caulerpa taxifolia inhibits cell proliferation and induces oxidative stress in breast cancer cells. Biologia 74(2) 187-193 https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-018-0163-x
28. SINGH, P., SINGH, S.R., RANI, A AD BAST,F. (2016) Homology modeling of chemokine CCR7, molecular docking, and in vitro studies evidenced plausible immunotherapeutic anticancer natural compounds. Med Chem Res 25: 2410. doi:10.1007/s00044-016-1647-2 (IF:1.6)
29. SINGH, P and BAST F. (2016) In Silico and in Vitro Studies Evidenced Natural Compounds, a Chemokine Receptor. Ann Clin Lab Res. 4: 4.
30. SINGH,P, BAST, F, SINGH, RS. (2016) Natural Compounds Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-β: In Silico and In Vitro Study. Electronic Journal of Biology,Vol.13(1): 6-13
31. SINGH, P AND BAST, F. 2015. Screening of multitargeted natural compounds for receptor tyrosine kinases inhibitors and biological evaluation on cancer cell lines; in silico and in vitro. Medical Oncology 32(9):678 (IF:2.147) PDF
32. SINGH, P AND BAST, F. 2015. Screening and Biological Evaluation of Myricetin as a Multiple Target Inhibitor Insulin, Epidermal Growth Factor, and Androgen Receptor; In Silico and In Vitro. Investigational New Drugs (IF:2.8)33(3), 575-593 PDF
33. SINGH, P AND BAST, F. 2015. Molecular Docking Study of Natural Compounds against Non Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinases Src. International Journal of Pharmacy 5(2): 561-567
34. SINGH, P AND BAST, F. 2015. High-throughput virtual screening, identification and in vitro biological evaluation of novel inhibitors of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3. Medicinal Chemistry Research 24 (6) 2694-2708 (IF:1.612)   PDF
35. SINGH, P AND BAST, F 2014. Insilco Molecular Docking Study Of Natural Compounds On Wild and Mutated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Medicinal Chemistry Research 23(12):5074-5085(IF:1.61) PDF
36. SINGH, P, ALEX, JM AND BAST, F 2013 Insulin Receptor (IR) and Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor 1(IGF-1R) Signaling Systems: Novel Treatment Strategies for Cancer. Medical Oncology (IF:2.147) 31:805 December 2013, 31:805 doi:10.1007/s12032-013-0805-3 PDF
37.  SINGH, P AND BAST, F 2013 Multitargeted molecular docking study of plant-derived natural products on Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase pathway components. Medicinal Chemistry Research (IF:1.612) 23(4), 1690-1700. DOI: 10.1007/s00044-013-0774-2 PDF
38.  BAST, F. 2016 Primary succession recapitulates phylogeny. J  Phylogen  Evolution Biol 4 (1) PDF
39. BAST, F. 2015 Time Calibration Of Linguistic Phylograms: A Molecular Clock For Historical Linguistics. J  Phylogen  Evolution  Biol 3:e115. doi:10.4172/2329-9002.1000e115 PDF
40. BAST, F. 2015. Tutorial on Phylogenetic Inference Part-2. Resonance 20 (5) 445-457 PDF
41. BAST, F. 2015 Phylogenetics: Tracing the Evolutionary Legacy of Organisms, Metastatic Clones, Bioactive Compounds and Languages. J  Phylogen  Evolution  Biol  3 (2) PDF
42. BAST, F. 2015. Tutorial on Phylogenetic Inference Part-1. Resonance 20 (4) 360-367 PDF
43. BAST, F. 2013 “Sequence-based Phylogeography of Seaweeds: How current distribution is shaped by accumulation of past?”, Kuroshio Science (Japan) 7(1) 103-106 ISSN:1882-823X PDF
44. BAST, F 2013. Sequence Similarity Search, Multiple Sequence Alignment, Model Selection, Distance Matrix and Phylogeny Reconstruction. Nature Protocol Exchange. (IF: 7.96) Nature Publishing Group. doi: 10.1038/protex.2013.065 Accessible at: http://www.nature.com/protocolexchange/protocols/2740 PDF

7 major grants — As PI
DST-INSPIRE, DST-Core, CSIR, UGC-BSR, MoES-Drugs from the Sea, ICSSR, UGC-Start-Up grant
(Total sanctioned INR 11.3 million)

Ongoing

1. Molecular and morphological diversity in photobiont associated with Parmelioid lichens of Indian Himalaya (2018-2021)
   Funded by CSIR Sponsored Research Scheme (22 lakh)
2. DNA Sequence-based molecular systematics of marine macroalgae from Indian Coast (2020-2023)
   Funded by DST-SERB Core Research Grant (37.57 lakh)

Academic Grants

1. Science Academies' Refresher Course on Environmental Biology, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2016) 3.875 lakh
2. Science Academies' Lecture Workshop on Recent Breakthroughs in Plant Sciences Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2016) 1.335 lakh
3. Science Academies' Refresher Course on Plant Taxonomy, Ecology and Phytogeography Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2019) 8.4 lakh
4. MOOC Development of course Biostatistics and Mathematical Biology, UGC-Swayam MOOC (2018) 13.5 lakh
5. Science Academies'- Science Leadership Workshop (2020, India’s first science leadership workshop, total number of delegates: 20,205)

Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Dr. Ajay Kumar Gautam

International students: 1
Odgerel Bamabndalai (NAM-DCF Exchange scientist)

Ph.D. Students
PhD Awarded: Four

1. Pushpendra Singh (ICMR-SRF)
2. Satej Bhushan (MoES JRF)
3. Pooja Rani
4. Richa Mehra (ICMR-JRF)

Ongoing: Five

1. Khem Chand Saini (CSIR NET SRF)
2. Digvijay Singh Yadav (ICMR SRF)
3. Alka Rani (ICMR SRF)
4. Wahid Ul Rehman (RGNF)
5. Pushpendu Kundu ( CSIR NET)

M. Phil. Students
M.Phil Awarded: 16

M.Sc. Students
M.Sc. awarded: 15

• BAST, F. 2019. Voyage to Antarctica. Published by Vigyan Prasar, Government of India, New Delhi, ISBN: 9788174803122 pp 172
• BAST, F. 2015. The Arctic Circle: Six Remarkable Short Stories for the Young Adults Covering the Crux of Personal Productivity. Published by Amazon South Asia. ASIN: B013QWIFNC
• BAST, F., 2014. Creatures of India: Guide to Animals in India with up-to-date systematics. New Delhi Publishers, ISBN: 9789381274484
• BAST, F 2011 Monostroma: the Jeweled Seaweed for Future (BOOK). LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, 66121, Saarbrücken, Germany. ISBN: 978-3-8473-2710-3 PDF

• Saini, K. C., Nayaka, S., Bast, F. 2019. Diversity of lichen photobionts: Their coevolution and bioprospecting potential. Microbial diversity in ecosystem sustainability and biotechnological applications. Springer. pp. 307–323.  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8487-5_13
• BAST, F. 2012 Systematics and Taxonomic Keys for the Marine Green Algal Family Monostromataceae. In Algae: Ecology, Economic Uses and Environmental Impact Eds: Dagmar Krueger and Helga Meyer, Nova Publishers, New York.  ISBN: 978-1-62081-280-8 Pp 105-120
• BAST, F 2014. An Illustrated Review on Cultivation and Life History of Agronomically Important Seaplants. In Seaweed: Mineral Composition, Nutritional and Antioxidant Benefits and Agricultural Uses, Eds Vitor Hugo Pomin, 39-70. Nova Publishers, New York ISBN: 978-1-63117-571-8
• SINGH, P, KUMAR, S and BAST, F (2017) Natural Compounds Are Smart Players in Context to Anticancer Potential of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: An In Silico and In Vitro Advancement. In book: Translational Bioinformatics and Its Application, Publisher: Springer Netherlands, Editors: Wei, D.-Q, Ma, Y, Cho, W.C., Xu, Q, Zhou, F, pp.177-202. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1045-7_8
• SINGH, P, BAST, F, KUMAR, S, KUNDU, P (2017) Health Promoting Activity of Myricetin: A Natural Flavonoid. In book: Horizons in Cancer Research., Chapter: Health Promoting Activity of Myricetin: A Natural Flavonoid, Editors: Hiroto S. Watanabe. Pp 1-11 Nova Science Publishers
• SINGH, P, BAST, F, KUMAR, S, SAINI, KC (2017) Influence of Insulin and Metformin on Prostate Cancer. In book: Horizons in Cancer Research., Editors: Hiroto S. Watanabe Vol. 64 pp 1-10 Nova Science Publishers.
• SINGH, P, RANI, A, BAST, F. (2017) Impact of Personalized Medicine in Cancer. In book: Horizons in Cancer Research., Editors: Hiroto S. Watanabe Vol. 64 pp 183-193. Nova Science Publishers
• REHMAN, W.U., MAJEED, A., MEHRA, R., BHUSHAN, S., RANI, P., SAINI, K.C., BAST, F. (2016) Gelatin: A comprehensive report covering its indispensable aspects. In: Natural Polymers: Derivatives, Blends and Composites, Edition: Volume I, Chapter: 10, Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, Editors: Saiqa Ikram and Shakeel Ahmed, pp.209-222
• REHMAN, W.U., MAJEED, A., RANI, P., SAINI, K.C., NAJAR, R., MEHRA, R., SINGH, A., BAST, F. (2016) Carrageenan based hydrogels and composites: A systematic investigation reporting their multidimentional essence. In: Natural Polymers: Derivatives, Blends and Composites, Edition: Volume I, Chapter: 3, Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, Editors: Saiqa Ikram and Shakeel Ahmed, pp.65-80
• BAST, F. 2012. Cancer Phylogenetics: Computational Modeling of Tumor Evolution.In: Bioinformatics: Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Eds: Editors: Renu Tuteja Nova Publishers, New York. ISBN: 978-1-62100-913-9  pp. 211-230

• BAST, F. and TAHILRAMANI, H 2018. Public acceptance of Evolution in India. Journal of Scientific Temper (CSIR-NISCAIR) Vol. 6 (1-2): 24-38 PDF
• BAST, F. 2016 Improvisation of Science Education in Indian Universities: A Call for the Inclusion of Elements of National Importance in the Curriculum. Journal of Scientific Temper (CSIR-NISCAIR) Vol. 3 (1): 102-126 PDF
• BAST, F. 2016 Left-Right Political Spectrum and the Human Gene Pool. J  Phylogen  Evolution Biol 4 (2) PDF

1. BAST. F 2020. In defence of curiosity-driven basic scientific research. Science Reporter, February 2020
2. Bast F. 2019. Lies vs. Truth. Choice is ours. The Hindu, National Newspaper. April 21, 2019.
   https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/lies-versus-the-truth-the-choice-is-ours/article26899449.ece
3. BAST, F. 2018. Paradise Lost. Science Reporter 55(6) 35-39
4. BAST, F. 2018. Science as a candle in the dark. Science Reporter 55(3)  36-39 PDF
5. BAST, 2018. Two key organisms that may save the earth. Dream 2047 20(4) Pp 22-32. PDF
6. BAST, 2017. On Stubble Burning. The Hindu, National Newspaper. URL
7. BAST, F. 2015:A Call for Indianization of Science Syllabi in University Curriculum. Editorial, The Hindu (National newspaper) 10th April, 2015 PDF
8. BAST, F. 2016 The Blood Rain Mystery. DREAM 2047 (Vigyan Prasar, DST, GOI) 19 (3) 22-25 PDF
9. BAST,F. 2016. The Crux of Time Management for Students. Resonance 21(1) 71-88 PDF
10. BAST, F. 2015. Science Information Resources. Science Reporter Published by CSIR-NISCAIR 52(10): 40-43 PDF
11. BAST,F. 2015. Extraordinary Tales: Parasites Hijacking the Minds of Hosts. Resonance, 20(10): 893-902 October 2015 PDF
12. BAST, F. 2015. Pale Blue Dot. Science Reporter Published by CSIR-NISCAIR 53 (8): 14-18 PDF 
13. BAST, F. 2015. Baywatch India: Top Five pricey Reds. Ocean Digest, 2 (2) 2-5. ISSN: 23941928 PDF
14. BAST, F. 2015. Low-Carb High-Fat: A Paradigm Shift in Nutrition. Science Reporter 52(3) 31-32 Published by CSIR-NISCAIR PDF
15. BAST, F. 2015. A Brief History of Earth. Ocean Digest, 2 (1) p 7-8. ISSN: 23941928 PDF
16. BAST, F. 2014. Secret of waking-up fresh and having a great day! Science Reporter 51 (9) 11, Published by CSIR-NISCAIR PDF
17. BAST, F 2014. Seaweeds in Japanese Culture: An analysis of medieval Waka poetry. The Phycologist (UK) 86:24-27 ISSN:0965-5301 PDF
18. BAST, F 2014. Seaweeds: Ancestors of land plants with rich diversity. Resonance, 19(2) 1032-1043 ISSN: 0971-8044 PDF
19. BAST F (2004) Ca2+, an ion of Biological Cybernetics! Published at BBC Online. Google Scholar Citation Report
20. BAST F (2009) Mainichi National Newspaper (Published on July 20, 2009), Japan

• Oral presentation: "Sagan effect and future of science communication in India" at INSA Anniversary General Meeting, NIO, Dona Paula, Goa. 16-18 December 2019
• An invited participant at Science Leadership Workshop (Global Young Academy) and World Science Forum, Budapest, Hungary 19-23 November, 2019
• Chaired a session and delivered a presentation on “Life at Extreme Environments” at NatFoS Samod Bagh, 6-8 November, 2019
• Invited key-note address at national conference “Science Fiesta”, at S. Govt. College for Science, Jagraon 21st Oct. 2019
• Delivered expert lecture in INSPIRE Science Camp at Guru Nanak College for Girls, Muktsar on 23rd September, 2019
• Resource Person at Curriculum Design and Development, PMMMNMTT National Workshop, CUPB, (9-18 July 2019).
• Capacity Building Workshop for Swayam Course Coordinators at NITTR, Chennai (Organized by MHRD, Govt. of India). (27-27 May 2019)
• Resource Person at Science Academies' Refresher Course on Plant Taxonomy, Phytogeography and Ecology, CUPB, (5-20 March 2019)
• Resource Person at PMMMNMTT Faculty Induction Programme, CUPB, on (28 Feb 2019)
• Resource Person at Faculty development Program at IIT-BHU (18-19 Feb 2019)
• NAM-ZMT Visiting Scientist at Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung, Bremen, Germany (November 2018-February 2019)
• 84th Annual Meeting of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (IASc) as an Invited Delegate (1-4, Nov. 2018)
• MOOC Development Workshop at Indian Institute of Managament, Bangalore (15-16 October 2018)
• "Curiosity-driven research in plant sciences: marine, terrestrial and polar algal biodiversity". Keynote Address in National Conference: "Vistas in Biobiversity, Biology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology of Algae". Madras Christian College, Chennai (19-23 Sep 2018)
• "E-learning, personalized education, MOOCs and Flip Classes: A Primer on SWAYAM" Invited talk at 1 day MOOC Development workshop at AMET University, Chennai (22 Sep 2018)
• "Pax Antarctica: A continent for science" Invited talk at Bharat University, Chennai on (20 Sep 2018)
• "E-learning with Digital Experiences" and "MOOCs and Flip Classes: A Primer on SWAYAM": Two Expert talks as Invited speaker (Resource Person) at ISTE-AICTE sponsored Faculty Development Programme on "Outcome Based Education- Teaching Learning Skills In Digital Age" at Baba Farid College of Engineering, Bathinda (18th July 2018)
• "Curiosity-driven research in marine and polar sciences"- Invited plenary talk at National Conference organised at Sanmati Government College of Science Education and Research, Jagraon, Punjab (19 April 2018)
• “Lichen Photobiont Diversity: Current State of the Art and Challenges”. Invited Talk at National Conference on Current developments and Next Generation Lichenology, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow 27-28 January 2018.
• “Tracking Trails by cracking codes”. Invited lecture through National Knowledge Network to AMET University, Chennai. 27th September, 2017
• "SRFP, DST-INSPIRE IFA, MEXT, ISEA and RTF-DCS". DST-CII sponsored workshop on Outreach Workshop on Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research, 3rd May 2017. "SRFP, DST-INSPIRE IFA, MEXT, ISEA and RTF-DCS," CUPB, BathindaPPT
• "Floristic diversity of Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica", National Conference on Polar Sciences (NCPS-2017)) NCAOR, Goa (16-17 May, 2017)
• Science Outreach presentation 10th March 2017 at Maitri station, Antarctica PPT
• Science Outreach Presentation 9th February 2017 at Bharati Station, Antarctica PPT
• Delivered an oral presentation on “Subgroup structure of Indian Languages revealed using computational linguistics” in International Conference of Linguistic Society of India, IIT-Guwahati from 10-12 Nov, 2016
• Delivered an oral presentation on “Phylogenetic systematics and diversity of Seaweeds from Indian Coast” in International Seaweed Symposium, Copenhagen, Denmark on 19-24 July, 2016
• Delivered an oral presentation on “Linguistic gender in Indian languages and its relation with sex ratio” in “National Seminar on Gender equality for Sustainable Development”, Central University of Punjab on 22nd March, 2016
• Served as a resource person in DBT sponsored workshop on medical genetics and bioinformatics at Central University of Punjab 9th-23rd March, 2016
• Delivered an oral presentation on “DNA barcoding of mangrove plants in Sundarban Delta, West Bengal and Payyanur, Kerala reveals hidden biodiversity” in “New Vistas in Plant and Microbial Sciences”, Jammu University on 12th March, 2016
• Delivered a poster presentation on “Multilocal phylogeography of Ficus religiosa in India reveals cryptic speciation” at Young Investigator’s Meeting-2016 organized by DBT, UNESCO-RCB 29th February to 2nd March, 2016
• Coordinated Science Academies’ Lecture Workshop on Recent Breakthroughs in Plant Sciences at Central University of Punjab, 22nd to 24th February, 2016
• Coordinated Science Academies’ Refresher Course on Environmental Biology at Central University of Punjab, 1st to 15th February, 2016
• Delivered an invited Popular Talk on “Tree Of Life: Disentangling the Tangled Bank” at Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore, AP on 17th December, 2015
• Delivered talk on “DNA Barcoding reveals cryptic diversity of mosses from the springs of Himalayas”, Himalayan Studies Conference, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla on 4th November, 2015
• Delivered an invited Popular Talk (Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan) on “Fascinating world of plants” at Central University of Punjab on 16th September, 2015
• Participated in two days workshop: “Capacity Building of Higher Education Teachers on e-content Development Using Moodle. 15th to 16th September, 2015
• Delivered an invited Talk on “Fascinating world of plants” at Centre for Plant Sciences, Central University of Kerala, on 31st July, 2015
• Delivered an invited Talk on “Evolution and Humanity” at Centre for Animal Sciences, Central University of Kerala, on 31st July, 2015
• Delivered an invited Talk on “Computational Phylogenetics” at St. Pius X College, Rajapuram, Kerala, on 29th July, 2015
• Delivered a Talk on “Invisible world of marine plants” at Central University of Punjab in connection with Fascination of Plants Day, on 18th May, 2015
• Delivered an Invited Talk at S. Govt. College of Science & Technology, Jagraon, Punjab on 16th February, 2015 on “Phylogenetic Systematics of Aquatic Plants.”
• Orientation Programme at UGC-Academic Staff College, Delhi University. 8th December, 2014-5th January, 2015.
• Saini, K. C., Nayaka, S., Bast, F. Presented a poster entitled “Molecular phylogeny and symbiotic association of Trebouxia (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)in Himalayan Lichens” in a two days e-Conference on “Climate Change, Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Goals in Post COVID-19 World” was held on 4th–5th June, 2020 organised by University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16 C, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110078.
• Saini, K. C., Nayaka, S., Bast, F. Presented a poster entitled “Isolation and Culturing of Some Lichen Photobionts from Himachal Pradesh” in  National Conference on Current developments and next-generation lichenology was held on 27th – 28th January, 2018 at  CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh.