Krishna Kumar Pandey

I, Krishna Kumar Pandey, am currently pursuing my research as a Senior Research fellow in (SRF) at the Mahamana Centre for Excellence in Climate Change Research (MCECCR), Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India, under the supervision of Dr. P. C. Abhilash. I was enrolled in the M.Phil. programme in Environmental Science (Environmental Technology) at IESD, BHU, where I secured 78%. I hold an M.Sc. in Environmental Science (Environmental Technology) from BHU with First Division (81%, 2018), & B.Sc. degree from Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi (First Division, 2016), and Diploma in Biotechnology from the same institution. My research training includes dissertation work at CSIR–NEERI, Nagpur, focusing on biodiversity assessment, heavy metal profiling of aquatic systems, and microbial remediation of organic contaminants, under the supervision of Dr. Shalini Dhyani. I have also received advanced analytical training through the DST-sponsored STUTI programme on high-end techniques for molecular, material, and pollutant analysis (October–November 2022). My research focuses on plastic pollution in agricultural ecosystems, particularly assessing its impacts on soil health, plant growth, and microbial interactions in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. My work investigates microplastic contamination in soils, its effects on plant morphology and biochemical responses, and explores bioremediation strategies through plant-endophyte partnerships. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how plastic pollution affects ecosystem services and food security, strongly aligning with global sustainability goals. I have been actively involved with several international and national organizations, including IUCN–CEM (Commission on Ecosystem Management), IUCN–CEC (Commission on Education and Communication), IUCN–CEESP (Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy), and the Global Land Programme (GLP) since 2020. I am also a Life Member of The Global Academy-Global Goals (2022), the Society for Science of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (SSCE), the Foundation for Advancement of Agriculture and Rural Development (FAARD), and the Fundamental Action and Research Foundation, India (FARF). I have presented my research findings at several national and international conferences, including Hochschulen Fresenius Next Generation University, Germany (fully supported by a DST Travel Grant), and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok (fully supported by IOE–BHU). I was also selected in 2025 by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) to attend the São Paulo School of Advanced Science (SPSAS). Recently, I won First Prize for an oral presentation at the Young Leaders Conclave 2024, organized by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi. In addition to research, I actively contribute to academic publishing as an Assistant Editor for Anthropocene Science (ANPS) and Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (SSCE). I have served as Guest Editor for special issues titled “Microplastics Pollution in the Soil Ecosystem: Impacts, Challenges for Restoration and Remediation Strategies” in Land Degradation & Development (LDD) and “Sustainable Agricultural Intensification for Agrobiodiversity Conservation, Food Sovereignty, and Livelihood Security” in Current Research in Environmental Sustainability (Scopus indexed). I am also actively involved in science outreach and capacity-building activities, collaborating with the National Academy of Sciences, India, & the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences for science popularization initiatives. These include organizing science exhibitions and model presentations for school students, conducting workshops and training programmes for farmers and tribal women, and also, participated in the SWAYAM Outreach Workshop on the integration and implementation of SWAYAM courses across universities and affiliated colleges of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, held on 5 January 2025. My passion for environmental research drives me to develop innovative solutions for plastic pollution mitigation, including advanced microplastic characterization techniques, impact assessment, recycling innovations, and policy-oriented approaches to enhance plastic circularity in India over the next decade