RANJIT MORE | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Assist. Prof. Dr. RANJIT MORE | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | Best Research Article Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. RANJIT MORE | Arts, Science and Commerce College, Indapur, India | India

Dr. Ranjit Mohan More is an Indian zoologist and academician dedicated to research in molecular phylogenetics, nutritional biology, and freshwater fish ecology. He hails from Varkute BK, Tal-Indapur, Pune, Maharashtra. A passionate field biologist, Dr. More has earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2022, focusing on the nutritional profiling and molecular relationships of two native fish species from the Ujani Reservoir. With more than six years of teaching and research experience, he has held key academic positions, including Head of the Department of Microbiology. His work has been presented in national and international conferences, and he has authored several research papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. More is recognized for his persistence in aquatic biodiversity conservation, academic leadership, and collaborative scientific engagement. His scientific vision is rooted in ecological sustainability and advancing knowledge of India’s freshwater ecosystems.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. High-Impact Research Focus:
    Dr. More’s research on nutritional profiling and molecular phylogenetics of freshwater fish in the Ujani Reservoir addresses urgent ecological and biodiversity concerns relevant to Indian inland waters.

  2. Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications (2025):
    His 2025 article, “Demography of Two Fishes… Facing Multiple Threats,” published in Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management (Wiley), is significant. It combines ecological threats analysis with field-based demography, demonstrating a blend of conservation relevance and scientific rigor.

  3. Consistent Academic Output:
    Multiple publications in reputed journals (2020–2025) covering fish biodiversity, invasive species, and resource monitoring reflect continuity in research and contribution to both academic knowledge and environmental policy.

  4. Data Accessibility & Scientific Communication:
    The GBIF publication (2025) offering open-access biodiversity datasets promotes transparent and reusable ecological data—an emerging benchmark in modern scientific research.

  5. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Work:
    His joint research efforts with experts in ecology, microbiology, and fishery science show team-based, interdisciplinary strengths—a trait often sought for award-winning research.

  6. Alignment with SDGs:
    His work directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals like Life Below Water (SDG 14), Responsible Consumption (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

🧪 Areas for Improvement:

  1. Wider International Visibility:
    Most conferences and collaborations are national or regional. For broader recognition, future efforts should include partnerships with international research consortia or indexed journals with high impact factors.

  2. Experimental Novelty:
    While ecological and nutritional studies are valuable, future research could benefit from deeper genomic or metagenomic approaches, including DNA barcoding, environmental DNA (eDNA), or metabolomics to elevate scientific novelty.

  3. Diversification Beyond Ichthyofauna:
    His profile is deeply focused on fish ecology. Broader biodiversity modeling, ecological restoration, or climate-ecology interface could further diversify his research portfolio.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Ranjit More holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Savitribai Phule Pune University (2022), where he researched the “Nutritional Profiling and Molecular Phylogenetics of Hyporhamphus limbatus and Xenentodon cancila from the Ujani Reservoir.” He completed his M.Sc. in Zoology (Animal Physiology) in 2016 from PDEA’s Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, and his B.Sc. in Zoology from ITSPM’s A.S.C. College, Indapur in 2014. Dr. More qualified the PET exam in 2017, and registered for Ph.D. in 2018. His M.Sc. dissertation examined detergent toxicity effects on Chironomus ramosus larvae, showcasing early interest in aquatic pollution and ecology. He has attended intensive workshops, including one on Molecular Phylogenetics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, reflecting his commitment to upskilling in cutting-edge research tools.

🧑‍🏫 Experience:

Dr. More has over six years of academic and research experience. He served as a Junior and Senior Research Fellow (2019–2022) under the prestigious SARTHI fellowship funded by the Government of Maharashtra. He also worked as a teaching faculty at ITSPM’s A.S.C. College, Indapur from 2016 to 2019 and again from 2022 onward. Currently, he leads the Department of Microbiology (2023–2024) at the same institution, combining administrative leadership with academic duties. His hands-on expertise includes field research, lab-based molecular biology, teaching at UG and PG levels, and mentoring students. His experience is enriched by participation in national/international conferences, workshops, and ecological monitoring programs. A passionate educator and researcher, Dr. More bridges classroom learning with field and lab-based discovery, with a notable focus on fish biodiversity, water quality, and ecological data analytics.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Ranjit More’s research centers on aquatic biodiversity, particularly nutritional profiling, molecular phylogenetics, and fish ecology in freshwater ecosystems of India. His doctoral thesis delved into two economically and ecologically significant fish species—Hyporhamphus limbatus and Xenentodon cancila—using genetic markers and nutritional analysis to assess their health and evolutionary relationships. His broader research investigates the ecological threats to freshwater fauna, invasive species impact, and conservation strategies for sustainable fishery practices. Dr. More is skilled in bio-monitoring, field data collection, and molecular analysis, and he often integrates Q-GIS and ecological software tools like MEGA, DIVA-GIS, and PAST in his studies. His data contributions to platforms like GBIF highlight his focus on open-access ecological data sharing. Committed to ecosystem health, his work contributes to conservation planning, scientific policymaking, and education on freshwater biodiversity in India.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📘 Demography of Two Fishes Xenentodon cancila and Hyporhamphus limbatus From Ujani Reservoir (2025)

  2. 📙 A Baseline Survey of Freshwater Fish Fauna in the Krishna River of Northern Western Ghats (2025)

  3. 📗 Occurrence Data of Freshwater Fish from the Ujani Wetland, Pune, India (2025)

  4. 📕 Resource Monitoring in Mangrove Ecosystem of Maharashtra Coast, India (2024)

  5. 📘 Fatty Acids Composition of Hyporhamphus limbatus from Ujani Reservoir, Maharashtra (2022)

  6. 📗 Length-Weight Relationships of Xenentodon cancila and Hyporhamphus limbatus from Bhima River (2020)

  7. 📘 Pterygoplichthys pardalis from Ujani Reservoir, Maharashtra (2020)

  8. 📙 Freshwater Fish Fauna of Pune District: A Review Article (2018)

🔚 Conclusion:

Based on his consistent academic productivity, impactful research on threatened freshwater ecosystems, interdisciplinary collaborations, and scientific contribution to fish ecology and conservation, Dr. Ranjit Mohan More is highly suitable for the Best Research Article Award. His 2025 article in Lakes & Reservoirs stands out both in quality and relevance.

With growing international engagement and integration of emerging technologies, Dr. More’s research has strong potential to make deeper global impacts in aquatic biodiversity conservation.