Professional Background

• 1990 - 1992 Research Assistant Grade I Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, (ICFRE) Coimbatore
• 1992 – 1997 Scientist ‘B’ Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR) Bhubaneswar
• 1997 – 2002 Scientist ‘C’ - Do-
• 2002 - 2006 Scientist ‘E1’ CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar
• 2006 - 2011 Principal Scientist - Do -
• 2011 – continuing Sr. Pr. Scientist -Do -

Publication

I. Research Papers in Journals

• Jayachandran, C.K., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Ramanan, K.S.V., Ganesan, M. and Gurumurti, K. 1992. Development of shade house system for vegetative propagation studies. Indian J. Foresty, 15 (3): 234-238.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 1994. Flowerful plant. RRL-Bulletin, 4 (3) pp 10.
• Gurumurti, K., Jayachandran, C.K. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 1994. Rooting trials in branch cuttings of Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. Indian J. Forestry, 17 (2): 112-118.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 1996. Induction of rooting in leafy shoot cuttings of CinnamomumzeylanicumBreyn  byIndule butyric acid. Indian For., 122 (3): 258-262 (ISSN 0019-4816).
• Thriunavoukkarasu, M. and Saxena, H.O. 1997. Effect of auxins (IAA and IBA) on rooting of BixaorellanaL. stem cuttings, Orissa Journal of Horticulture, 25(1): 84-86.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M., and Brahmam, M. 1997. A note on effect of IBA on Hymenaeacourbaril (Caesalpinaceae) cuttings for root induction. Orissa Journal of Horticulture, vul. 25(2): 104-106.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Debata, B.K. 1998. Micropropagation of GmelinaarboreaRoxb. throughin vitro culture of axillary buds from a mature tree. Indian Journal of Plant Physiulogy, 3(2): 82-85.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Gurumurthi, K. 1998. Vegetative propagation techniques - a potential toul for yield improvement in forestry. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 7(3/4): 119-130 (IF 0.625).
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Brahmam, M. 1999. Vegetative propagation of Enterulobiumcyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. through coppice shoot cuttings. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 8(2): 127-134 (IF 0.625).
• Dhal, N.K., Rout, N.C and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 1999. Sitaparu (Plumbagoindica Linn. - Plumbaginaceae) an essential plant for Jani tribe of Orissa. Ethnobotany  1-12: 27-28.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Saxena, H.O. 2002. Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seeds of Grevilleapteridifulia Knight on germination and seedling growth. Plant Science Research, 24 (1 & 2): 31-33.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Brahmam, M. and Dhal, N.K. 2002. Clonal propagation of Pongam [Pongamiapinnata (L.) Pierre] – An indigenous medicinal plant with multipurpose uses. Plant Science Research, 24 (1 & 2): 11-14.
• Dhal, N.K., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Rout, N.C. 2002. On the ethnobotanical uses of Gymnemasylvestre R. Br. (Retz.) ex Schult. Journal of Tropical  Medicinal Plants, 3(1): 63-64.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2002. Macropropagation of Plumbagozeylanica. Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 3(1): 121-124.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Debata, B.K. 2003. Somatic embryogenesis in Enterulobiumcyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. Plant Science Research, 25 (1&2): 68-71.
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Brahmam, M. and Dhal, N.K. 2004. Vegetative propagation of Hymenaeacourbaril L. by air-layering. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 16(2): 268-270 (IF: 0.466).
• Mallavadhani, U.V., Sudhakar, A.V.S., Mohapatra, A., Narasimman, K., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Elix, J.A. 2004. Phenulic and steroidal constituents of the unexplored lichen Usnealogissima. Biochemical Systematics and Eculogy, 32: 95-97 (IF: 0.929).
• Dhal, N.K., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Mallavadani, U.V. and Mishra, A.K. 2004. Acoruscalamus L.(Araceae) - A specific  Fulklore study among the Kondh tribes  of Satkosia George Sanctuary, Orissa, India. Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 5(1): 77-81.
• Arundhati Das, Panigrahi, R.C. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2004. Medicinal marine algae for various ailments – A review. Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 5(1): 145-152.
• Parida, S., Behera, A. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2005. Regeneration of plantlets from leaf and internode explants of Pogostemoncablin. J. Trop. Med. Plants. 6(2): 253-257.
• AsmitaBehera and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2006. In vitromicropropagation of medicinally important Desmodiumgangeticum (L.) DC through nodal explants. Indian Journal of Plant Physiulogy. 11(1): 83-88.
• Mallavadhani, U.V., Satyanarayana, K.V.S., Mohapatra, A., Sudhakar, A.V.S., Narasimman, K., Pandey, D.K. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2006. Development of Diagnostic Microscopic and Chemical Markers of Some Euphorbia Latexes. Journal of Integrative Plant Biulogy, 48(9): 1115-1121 (I.F: 3.75).
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M., SiddarthaParida, Rath, S.P. and Asmita Behera 2007. Micropropogation of Enterulobiumcyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 23 (4): 1-12 (IF 0.625).
• Nayak, P., Behera, P.R.andThirunavoukkarau. M. 2007. High frequency plantlet regeneration from cotyledonary node cultures of Aeglemarmelos (L.) Corr. In vitro Cell and Developmental Biulogy – Plant 43:231-236 (IF 1.139)
• Bohidar, S., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Rao, T.V. 2008 Propagation of Ruta Graveulens L. by in vitro cultures of nodal explants. Indian J. Plant Physiulogy 13(2): 125-129
• Behera, P.R., Nayak, P., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Sahoo, S.B. 2008 Plant regeneration of GmelinaarboreaRoxb. From cotyledonary node explants. Indian J. Plant Physiulogy 13(3): 258-265
• Bohidar, S., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Rao, T.V. 2008 Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro micropropagation of Garden Rue (Rutagraveulens L.). Internat. J. Integrative Biulogy 5(1): 36-45.
• Nayak, P., Behera, P.R. and Thirunavoukkarau. M. and Chand, P.K. 2009. High frequency plant regeneration through adventitious multiple shoot organogenesis in epicotyl explants of Indian gooseberry (EmblicaofficinalisGaertn). Scientia Horticulturae 123(4): 473-478 (IF1.369).
• K. Rout, S. Patnaik, S. Pal, M. Thirunavoukkarasu, P.K. Panda, P. Patra, P.S. Mukherjee1 and S. Sahoo (2009). Bioefficacy of medicinal and aromatic plant extracts against Coconut eriophyid mite, Aceria guererronis Keifer. Journal of Entomulogical Research, 33 (4) : 305-308 (IF: 0.40)
• Behera, P.R., Nayak, P., Barik, D.P., Rautray, T.R., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Chand, P.K. 2010.  ED-XRF spectrometric analysis of comparative elemental composition of in vivo and in vitro roots of Andrographispaniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex Nees—a multi-medicinal herb. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 68:2229-2236. IF 1.179.
• Nayak, P., Behera, P.R., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Chand, P.K. 2010. ,ED-XRF spectrometry-based comparative inorganic profile of leaf-derived in vitrocalli and in vivo leaf samples of PhyllanthusamarusSchum. &Thonn. - ahepatoprotective herb  Applied Radiation and Isotopes 69(3):567-573. IF 1.179
• Thirunavoukkarasu M, Panda, P.K., Nayak, P., Behera, P.R.andSatpathy, G.B. 2010. Effect of media type and explant source on micropropagation of DalbergiasissooRoxb. – An important multipurpose forest tree. International Research Journal of Plant Science Vul. 1(6) pp. 155-162
• Nayak, M., Jena, J., Rath, S.S., Pradhan, N.,Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Mishra, S.K., Panda, P.K., Sukla, L.B. and Mishra, B.K. 2011. Screening of Fresh Water Microalgae from Eastern Region of India for Sustainable Biodiesel Production. International Journal of Green Energy 8: 669-683. IF 1.454.

• Puhan, P. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. 2011. Direct organogenesis of Aeglemarmelos (L.) Corr. from cotyledon explants. African Journal of Biotechnulogy 10(82): 18986-18990. IF 0.573.
• Behera, P.R., Pal, A., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Chand, P.K. 2011. Elemental profiling of leafy shoots of in vitro regenerated plants of a rare multi-medicinal herb Hybanthusenneaspermus(L.) F. Muell.: Implication in human healthcare. Plant Science Research 33(1&2): 34-43.
• Nayak, P.,Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Chand, P.K. 2011. An optimized protocul for efficient in vitro propagation of white leadwort (PlumbagzeylanicaL.) – an important medicinal shrub. Plant Science Research 33(1&2): 44-51.
• Sahoo, N., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Satpathy, G.B., Behera, P.R. and Panda, P.K. 2012. Direct shoot organogenesis from hypocotyls explants of JatrophacurcasL. an important bio-diesel plant. GCB Bioenergy 4: 234–238 IF 4.882.
• Baral, M., Misra, N., Panda, P.K. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2012). In silico structural determination of GPAT enzyme from Ostreococcuslucimarinus for biotechnulogical application of microalgal biofuel production. Biotechnulogy & Biotechnulogical Equipment DOI: 10.5504/bbeq.2011.0155. IF 0.503.
• Bohidar, S. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2012). Essential Oils from Leaves of micropropagatedRutagraveulens. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants 15 (2):296-299.(IF 0.31).
• Bohidar, S. Mishra, S. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2012). Clonal propagation and antimicrobial activity of VitexnegundoL. – An endemic medicinal plant. Journal of Biulogically Active Products from Nature, DOI:10.1080/22311866.2012.10719110 (ISSN Print: 2231-1866).
• Bohidar, S. Pattanaik, S. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2013). Improved furanocoumarin production in Rutagraveulens L. regenerated via in vitro stem internode cultures. Biotechnulogy Reports DOI 10.1007/s11816-013-0273-4 (IF: 1.187).
• Behera, P.R., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Chand, P.K. (2013). Adventitious plantlet regeneration from seedling explants of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 7(37): 2761-2768.(I.F: 0.88)
• Nayak, M., Rath, S.S., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Panda, P.K. Mishra, B.K. and Mohanty, R.C (2013). Maximizing Biomass Productivity and CO2Biofixation of Microalga, Scenedesmussp. by Using Sodium Hydroxide. Journal of Microbiulogy and Biotechnulogy 23(9):1260-1268 (IF: 1.381).
• Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Balaji, U., Behera, S., Panda, P.K. and B.K. Mishra (2013). Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle from leaf extract of Desmodiumgangeticum(L.) DC. and its biomedical potential. SpectrochimicaActa Part A: Mulecular and Biomulecular Spectroscopy 116:424-427 (IF: 2.098).
• Pal, A., Bag, B., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Pattanaik, S. & Mishra, B.K. (2013). Sulvent mediated tuning of selectivity in a rhodamine based probe and bio-imaging for Pb(II) detection in plant tissues. RSC Advances DOI: 10.1039/C3RA43584A (IF: 3.708).
• Satapathy, G. B. Thirunavoukkarasu, M,  Behera, P.R. and Panda, P.K. (2014). In vitromicropropagation of biofuel feedstock Pongamia through cotyledonary node culture and RAPD analysis for clonal fidelity. International Journal of Pure and Applied Bioscience 2 (1): 248-257 (IF: 2.636 SJIF).
• Satapathy, G. B. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M,  (2014). Cytokinins effect on direct shoot bud regeneration from leaf segments of bitter cucumber (CucumistrigonusRoxb.). International Journal of Pure and Applied Bioscience 2(1): 139-146 (IF: 2.636 SJIF).
• Behera, P.R., Parhi, P., Roy, D.K., Rautray, T.P., Pal, A., Thirunavoukkarasu, M and Chand, P.K. (2014). Multi-Elemental Profiling of In VitroCalliclones vis-à-vis In Vitro and In Vivo Leaf Samples of a Medicinal Herb Hybanthusenneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Technique. Adv. Sci. Lett. 20, 769-777 (I.F: 1.253).
• Nayak, P., Sharma, M., Behera, S.N., Thirunavoukkarasu, M. and Chand, P.K. (2014). High-Performance liquid charomatographic quantification of plumbagin from transformed rhizoclones of Plumbagozeylanica L.: Inter-clonal variation in Biomass growth and plumbagin production. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnulogy, DOI 10.1007/s12010-014-1392-2 (I.F: 1.687).
• Behera, P.R., Jena, R.C., Das, A., Thirunavoukkarasu, M.and  Chand, P.K. (2016). Genetic stability and coumarin content of transformed rhizoclones and regenerated plants of a multi-medicinal herb, Hybanthusenneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. Plant Growth Regulation Vul. 80, Issue 2, pp 103–114(I.F: 1.672).
• Nayak, M., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., and Mohanty, R.C. (2016). Cultivation of freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. using low cost inorganic fertilizer for enhanced biomass and lipid yield. Journal of General and Applied Microbiulogy, Vul. 62(1): 7-13 (I.F.: 0.94).
• Biswal, B., Mallick, D., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Mohanty, R. and Bag, B. (2016). A pyridine and pyrrule coupled rhodamine derivative for Co(II) ion detection and its imaging application in plant tissues.Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, doi:10.1016/j.snb.2016.03.160(I.F.: 4.286).
• Nayak, P. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2016). A review of the plant Boerhaavia diffusa: its chemistry, pharmaculogy and therapeutical potential. Journal of Phytopharmaculogy, 5(2): 83-92.
• Sophia, A.C., Bhalambaal, V.M.,, Lima, E.C. and Thirunavoukkarasu, M. (2016).  Microbial desalination cell technulogy: Contribution to sustainable waste water treatment process, current status and future applications. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering,Vul. 4 (3):3468–3478 (IF: 1.355).
• Satapathy, S.,Paikaray, S.,Thirunavoukkarasu, M.*, Panda, C. R. and Subbudhi, E. (2016). Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles derived from marine Bivalve Donax cuneatus(Linnaeus) and assessment of its antimicrobial potential. Synthesis and Reactivity in Inorganic, Metal-Organic, and Nano-Metal Chemistry 47(7): 1044-1048 (IF: 0.493).
• Malik, D., Biswal, B., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Mohanty, R. and Bag, B. (2017). Signalling probes appended with two rhodamine derivatives: Inter-component preferences, Fe (III)-ion selective fluorescence responses and bio-imaging in plant species. New Journal of Chemistry (RSC publications) 41, 15144 (IF: 3.277).
• Meenakumari,T., Thirunavoukkarasu, M., Vinod, K.K. BalKrishan, J. Rajeswari Meenattoor, Gireesh, T., Vinoth Thomas, Kavitha, K. Mydinand James Jacob (2017). Niche dynamics of adaptive responses in growth and rubber yieldamong Hevea brasiliensis genotypes introduced to Eastern India. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (communicated) (I.F: 4.678)

II. Book edited

•  
• M. Brahmam, M. Thirunavoukkarasu, N.K. Dhal and N.C. Rout. 2000. Eastern ghats of Orissa: Assessment of Natural Resources, Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.
• III. Technical manuals
•  
• Brahmam, M., Patra, P., Kanungo, S.P.,Thirunavoukkarasu, M, Dhal, N.K. and Rout, P.K. 2005. Training manual on cultivation of Jatrophacurcus. Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.
• Coconut palm at a glance. S. Sahoo, P.S. Mukherjee, P.K. Panda, P. Patra, M. Thirunavoukkarasu et al., (Eds), 2009, jointly published by IMMT, Bhubaneswar and Coconut Development Board, Kerala.

Thesis

• Ph.D: 4 students awarded.
• M.Sc. dissertation supervision: 33 students
• PostDoc: 2 students
• Adjudication of thesis: 11 Ph.D. theses and 1 M.Phill thesis

NEERI Group

Plant Biotechnology:

• Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation.
• In vitro cell culture (Plant tissue culture).
• Molecular marker techniques such as DNAisolation, PCRampliation, RAPD and RFLP techniques.

Environmental sciences:

• Re-vegetation of chromite over burden (Sukinda, Odisha) using tree species, lemon grass and citronella sp. was done.
• Successfully applied bioimaging techniques in plants for the toxic metals like lead and mercury detection with the aid of rhodomine based probe.
• Experiments on use of hyper accumulator plants for the removal of trace/heavy metals from E-waste scrubber water showed positive response. 90 % removal of trace/heavy metals in 2 step experiments was achieved

Pharmagognosy:

Development of pharcopoeial standards for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines.

Research Projects

In journals: 55; Proceedings: 16; Monographs: 30

Professional Memberships

• 1995-present: Life member, Indian Society for Plant Physiology.
• 1994- present: Life member, The Orissa Botanical Society
• 1995-1998: Member, Orissa Horticulture Society