I am a dedicated academician and passionate researcher. I have completed M Sc in Botany in 2002 and then lately PhD in Botany in 2010 from Gauhati University, Assam, India. Then, I have joined in a degree college to teach undergraduate courses of botany in 2011 immediately before joining in post-doctoral programme from 2012-2016. In 2016, I have joined Botany Department, Gauhati University as an Assistant Professor and contributing service in both teaching and research till date. Currently, my group is focusing on risks assessment in crude oil polluted agro-ecosystems, green nanomaterials and earthworm assisted bacterial remediation of recalcitrant crude oil pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), enzymatic defense mechanism of plants/herbs in crude oil stressed habitats and, soil enzymes response under stress conditions.

(2025)

1) Tridip Boruah and Hemen Deka (2025). Unravelling heavy metals (HMs) speciation route during vermiremediation employing a novel approach based on spectroscopic interpretations. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engneering, 13(1), 115030, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.115030, Impact Factor 7.4, Elsevier

(2024)

2) W James Singha and  Hemen Deka. (2024). Ecological and human health risk associated with heavy metals (HMs) contaminant sourced from petroleum refinery oily sludge. Jouranl of Hazardous Materials 476, 135077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135077 Impact factor 12.2, Elsevier

3) Priya Borah., and  Hemen Deka. (2024). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in selected medicinal plants: a mini review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33548-8 Impact factor 5.8, Springer Nature

4) Paramita Chakravarty, Hemen Deka, and  Devasish Chowdhury(2024). Green titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles assisted biodegradation of anthracene employing Serratia quinivorans HP5. Journal of Basic Microbiology.  https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.202300680  Impact factor 3.1, Wiley

5) Glory Borah and Hemen Deka (2024). Synergistics interaction in enzyme activities during vermiremediation of heavy metals (HMs) polluted soil: Elucidating the impact of Eudrilus eugeniae. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 33(7), 887-904, https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2023.2273348 Impact factor 1.6, Taylor and Francis

6) I. M.Kharmawphlang, Hemen Deka, and Nazneen Hussain (2024). Unravelling the detoxification trail of potentialy toxic heavy metals: An insight into heavy metal auditing and ecologial health upon valorisation by Lampito mautitii and Eudrilus euniae. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(55), 64023, DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35595-7,Springer Nature

(2023)

7) Tridip Boruah and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Comparative investigation on synergistic changes in enzyme activities during vermicomposting of cereal grain processing industry sludge employing three epigeic earthworm species. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(59), 123324-123334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31043-0  Impact factor 5.8, Springer nature

8)Priya Borah, Arpita Borah, Paramita Chakravarty, and Hemen Deka.(2023) Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Assisted Heavy Metals Remediation Employing Bacillus cereus HD3PAH. Indian Journal of Environmental Protection,  43(9), pp. 783–789

9) Hemen Deka, Priya Borah., Jyotismita Das. (2023). Vermicomposting of Water Hyacinth Employing Perionyx annulatus: An Indigenous Earthworm Species of India Indian Journal of Environmental Protection,  43(10), pp. 889–898

10) Mridulina Hazarika, Glory Borah, W James Singha and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Metals stress on soil enzyme activities and herbs defense in the vicinity of high traffic roadways. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(12), 1546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12142-4 Impact factor 3.0, Springer Nature

11) Glory Borah, and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Vermiremediation of heavy metals (HMs)-contaminated agricultural land: synergistic changes in soil enzyme activities and earthworm’s growth parameters. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(54), 115266-115278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30500-0  Impact factor 5.8, Springer nature

12) Tridip Boruah and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Enumeration of synergistic relationship between carbon dioxide evaluation and nutrient budget during vermicomposting of cereal grain processing industry sludge. Bioresource Technology Reports, 22, 101418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2023.101418  Impact factor NA, Elsevier

13) Paramita Chakravarty , Hemen Deka., and  Devasish Chowdhury(2023). Anthracene removal potential of green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) and Alcaligenes faecalis HP8 from contaminated soil. Chemosphere, 321, 138102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138102 Impact factor 8.8, Elsevier

14) Glory Borah, and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Synergistic Interactions in Enzyme Activities During Vermiremediation of Heavy Metals (HMs) Polluted Soil: Elucidating the Impact of Eudrilus eugeniae. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2023.2273348 Impact factor 2.0, Taylor and Francis

15) Glory Borah, and  Hemen Deka. (2023). Crude oil associated heavy metals (HMs) contamination in agricultural land: Understanding risk factors and changes in soil biological properties. Chemosphere, 310, 136890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136890. Impact factor 8.8, Elsevier 

(2022)

16)  Paramita Chakravarty, Devasish Chowdhury and Hemen Deka (2022). "Ecological risk assessment of priority PAHs pollutants in crude oil contaminated soil and its impact on soil biological properties”. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 437,129325, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129325, Impact Factor 13.6, Elsevier

17) Meghali Kalita, Paramita Chakravarty and Hemen Deka (2022). "Understanding biochemical defense and phytoremediation potential of Leucas aspera in crude oil polluted soil". Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (38), 57579-57590, doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19922-4. Impact Factor 5.6, Springer Nature

18) Refad Ahmed & Hemen Deka. (2022). Vermicomposting of patchouli bagasse—a byproduct of essential oil industries employing Eisenia fetida. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 25, 102232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.102232 Impact factor 7.1 , Elsevier

19) Dhritashri Das, Nabajit Kalita, Dericka Langthasa, Vanlalhriet Faihriem, Glory Priya Boraharamita Chakravarty & Hemen Deka. (2022). Eisenia fetida for vermiconversion of waste biomass of medicinal herbs: Status of nutrients and stability parameters. Bioresource Technology, 347, 126391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126391 Impact factor 11.4, Elsevier

20) W James Singha, Glory Borah & Hemen Deka (2022). Physico-chemical, biological and heavy metal status of spent oil-contaminated soils in the vicinity of garages in and around Guwahati city, Assam, India. Current Science, 1246-1252. doi: 10.18520/cs/v123/i10/1246-1252 Impact factor 1, Indian Academy of Sciences

(2021)

21)  Paramita Chakravarty and Hemen Deka (2021). "Enzymatic defense of Cyperus brevifolius in hydrocarbons stress environment and changes in soil properties”. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 718, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80854-5 Impact Factor 4.6, Nature Research

22)  Dimbeswar Das and Hemen Deka (2021). “Vermicomposting of harvested waste biomass of potato crop employing Eisenia fetida: changes in nutrient profile and assessment of the maturity of the end products”. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(27), 35717-35727, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13214-z  Impact Factor 5.6, Springer Nature

23) Tridip Boruah and Hemen Deka (2021). “Biological indicators for assessing the maturity of the vermicomposted products of citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge mixture”. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01228-5 Impact Factor 4.0, Springer Nature

24) Glory Borah, Namita Nath and Hemen Deka (2021). “Effects on anatomy of some abundantly growing herbs in the effluents contaminated soil of oil refinery”. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 11549–11557, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11407-6 Impact Factor 5.6, Springer Nature

25) Shaleh Akram and Hemen Deka (2021). “Phytoremediation potential of some abundantly growing indigenous herbs of crude oil contaminated sites”. Journal of Environmental Biology, 42, 51-61, DOI: 10.22438/jeb/42/1/MRN-1476  Impact Factor 0.72, Lucknow, India 

(2020)

26) Tridip Boruah, Paramita Chakravarty and Hemen Deka (2020). “Phytosociology and antioxidant profile study for selecting potent herbs for phytoremediation of crude oil–contaminated soils”. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(12), 766, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08721-4 Impact Factor 3.0, Springer Nature

27) Tridip Boruah, Anannya Morang and Hemen Deka (2020).“Current understanding on industrial organic waste management employing Eisenia fetida”. International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 67(1), 48-61, DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2020.108365 Impact Factor 0.7, Inderscience Publishers

(2019)

28) Tridip Boruah, Anusmrita Barman, Priyanka Kalita, Jiumoni Lahkar and Hemen Deka (2019). “Vermicomposting of citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge mixture employing Eisenia fetida”. Bioresource Technology, 294,122147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122147 Impact Factor 11.4, Elsevier

(2018-2011)

29) Hemen Deka and Jiumoni Lahkar (2017). “Biodegradation of benzo(a)anthracene employing Paenibacillus sp. HD1PAH: A novel strain isolated from crude oil contaminated soil” Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 37 (2-3), 161-167, https://doi.org/10.1080/10406638.2016.1253593Impact Factor 3.74, Taylor & Francis

30) Jiumoni Lahkar and Hemen Deka (2017). “Isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degrading fungal candidate from oil-contaminated soil and degradation potentiality study on anthracene”. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 37 (2-3), 141-147, https://doi.org/10.1080/10406638.2016.1220957Impact Factor 3.74, Taylor & Francis

31) Rashmi R. Saikia, Hemen Deka, Debahuti Goswami, Jiumoni Lahkar, Sidhartha N. Borah, Kaustuv Patowary, Plabita Baruah, Suresh Deka (2014).“Achieving the best yield in glycolipid biosurfactant preparation by selecting the proper carbon/nitrogen ratio”.Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 17, 563-571, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-013-1520-y Impact Factor 1.654, Springer AOCS

32) Hemen Deka, S. Deka, C. K. Baruah, J. Das, S. Hoque, H. Sarma, N. S. Sarma (2011). “Vermicomposting potential of Perionyx excavatus for recycling of waste biomass of java citronella- an aromatic oil yielding plant”. Bioresource Technology, 102 (24), 11212-11217, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.09.102 Impact Factor 11.4, Elsevier

33) Hemen Deka, S. Deka, C. K. Baruah, J. Das, S. Hoque, N. S. Sarma (2011). “Vermicomposting of distillation waste of citronella plant (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.) employing Eudrilus eugeniae”. Bioresource Technology, 102 (13), 6944-6050, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.04.027 Impact Factor 11.4, Elsevier

34) Hemen Sarma, Suresh Deka, Hemen Deka, Rashmi Rekha Saikia (2011). “Accumulation of heavy metals in selected medicinal plants”. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 214, 63-82, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0668-6_4 Impact Factor 6.0, Springer

Ph.D. Awarded

Paramita Chakravarty

Topic: Green nanomaterials assisted bacterial consortia for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) from oil-contaminated soils of Assam  (Awarded in November, 2023)

Glory borah

Topic: Earthworm assisted bacterial remediation of Heavy Metal (HMs) from crude oil contaminated soil of Assam (Awarded in May, 2024)

M.Phil. Awarded

Tridip Boruah

Topic: Phytosociological and biochemical study of herbaceous plant community of  active and abandoned oil drilling sites of Lakowa, Assam  

 Refad Ahmed

Topic: Vermitechnology for management of lignocellulosic waste biomass of essential oil industries

Research Scholar PhD Thesis Submitted

Tridip Boruah

Topic: A study on the vermicomposting potential of industrial organic waste with a special emphasis on value addition of the end products for commercialization

Research Scholars Pursuing PhD

Nilam Sarma

Topic: Application of Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant for Growth Management with special reference to control of certain Diseases of Capsicum chinense

W James Singha

Topic: Exploration of Earthworm and Bacteria Synergism for Management of Petroleum Refinery Oily Sludge

Priya Borah

Topic: Bacterial endiphyte assisted phytoremediation for removal of heavy metals (HMs) from crude oil polluted soil

Uddhav Sarania

Topic: Unravelling the potential of Earthworm-Bacteria synergy for the co-removal of heavy metals and hydrocarbons from oil-contaminated soil

Janayita Biswa Sarma

Topic: Ethanol Fermentation Potentiality of Bacteria from Petroleum Contaminated Site: A Study for Complementing Alternative Energy 

(Involved as Co- Guide)

Mridulina Hazarika

Topic: Exploring the potential of tea garden soil bacteria in alleviation of heavy metals (HMs) pollution from contaminated soil

(Involved as Co-Guide)

Text Book: 

1. Plant Ecology and Phytogeography (For B Sc 4th Semester Botany (Honours) Course (As per CBCS Course); Publisher: Ashok Pulication, Guwahati, Assam, Year 2022

Books Edited:

1. Bioremediation: Research and Applications (Publisher: Eastern Book House, Guwahati-1, Assam; Year: 2021)

2. Agri-Biotech (Publisher: Global Publishing House, Vishakhapatnam, India; Year: 2013)

Book Chapters (2024-2015):

M.Sc Project/Dissertation students guided

1. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Research Associateship award to carry out for post-doctoral research (2012)

2. Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology (SERB-DST), Young Scientist Award to carry out post-doctoral and independent research (2013)

3. Overseas travel fellowship (Germany) award from SERB (DST) and DBT-CTEP respectively to attend the conferences at Barcelona (Spain) and Bordeaux (France) in 2015

Key Areas

• Ecological risks analysis and Bioremediation heavy metals, hydrocarborns and LDPE
• Nanobioremediation and Plants response to abiotic stress
• Valorization of bio-waste 
• Plant-microbe interactions
• Ecosystem Resilience Study in Jhum affected areas

Educational Qualifications:

M Sc in Botany with specialization in Plant Ecology from Gauhati University (2002)

Ph D in Botany from Gauhati University (2010)

Title of Ph D Thesis: "A study on utilization of bio-waste for production of vermicompost" 

Post Doctoral Research: Development of plant-microbe consortia for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (2012-2016) 

Ongoing:

1. “Development of earthworm-microbe formulation for management of refinery sludge”

PI: Dr. Hemen Deka

Funded By: DBT-ALSBT Hub (Assam) under Micro-grants to Young Scientists of NER for innovation Research

2. “Regenerative agriculture strategies for restoring fallow jhum lands for sustainable livelihood and food production”

PI: Dr. Hemen Deka

Funded By: G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Research

Completed:

(1) Title: Plant-microbe consortia for remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soils of Assam and influence of biogenic nanomaterials on PAHs fate and accumulation

Funded By: UGC (BSR) (Under Start-Up-Grant Scheme)

Period: 2017-2020

Amount: 10 Lakh

(2)  Title: Development suitable microbial consortia for bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soil of Assam with a special emphasis of High Molecular Weight PAH compounds

Funded By: SERB (DST) (Under Young Scientist Scientist Scheme)

Period: 2013-2016

Amount: 26.2 Lakh

Title: A METHOD FOR SCREENING HERB FOR PHYTOREMEDIATION BY EXPLORING ENZYMATIC DEFENSE PROCESS

Application Id: 2021105095

Country: Australia

Patent Type: Innovation

Patent Status: Granted

Title: AN ALTERNATIVE LOW COST METHOD TO SCREEN HERBS FOR PHYTOREMEDIATION OF OIL POLLUTED SOIL

Application Id: 202231007929

Country: India

Patent Status: Published

1. 1. CSIR-JRF/DST-INSPIRE/ DBT- JRF/ any Fellowship recipient candidates with good academic record can send their biodata for Ph.D seats subject to availability.
   2. Graduate/ Post graduate students may contact for summer internship/training.
   3. Graduate/ Post graduate students may contact for dissertation work.
   4. Interested Research Scholars may contact for training.
   5. Women scientists/ CSIR-RA or any other related Post doctoral fellowship suitable for candidates with good academic and research record can send their biodata throughout the year for post doctoral position

Contact: 

Email: hemendeka@gauhati.ac.in

As part of the extension activity, I have been actively working to promote vermicomposting technology for managing bio-waste. Accordingly, I am involved in vermicomposting training to school and college students, teachers, and other civilians in different regions of state Assam.  The program, named “Vermicomposting Workshop and Hands-on Training,” were also organized by some of the affiliated colleges of Gauhati University under the sponsorship of Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Assam, and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Govt. of India. These events saw enthusiastic participation from teachers, students, and civilians. I delivered a visual aid presentation with a clear and concise explanation about the science of vermicomposting, including its principles, processes, and microbial activity. I also provided a comprehensive discussion on building and assembling the vermicomposting system with scientific insights. Additionally, I demonstrated the live setup of a vermicomposting bin, offering valuable insights and hands-on experience to the participants.

Activities at North Gauhati College, Guwahati, Assam on May 16, 2024

Activities at B. Baruah College, Guwahati, Assam on May 18, 2024

Workshop on Vermicomposting and Tree plantation programme at M. C. College, Barpeta on May 21, 2024

Activities at Dakshin Kamrup College, Mirza, Kamrup, Assam on May 30, 2024

Activities at Rangia College, Assam on June 05, 2024