Department of Zoology

The Department of Zoology was established in 1952, which was one of the first few departments established by the college and affiliated to RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. Dr. R. B. Phansalkar was the first head of the department. Dr. B. M. Murhar then took over the responsibility of heading the department; who was also the principal of the college. The department developed further under the headship of Mr. P. V. Deshpande, Dr. A. N. Pal, Mrs. P. S. Jog and Dr. D. J. Shrikhande. The department is progressing now under Dr. U. R. Sonparote who is currently heading the department. Dr. P. U. Gajbe, Dr. N. V. Palande, Dr. V. H. Badiye and Dr. B. H. Salame are the other staff members of this department. Dr. R. S. Saha, who worked as the Vice-principal and the IQAC coordinator has recently retired. Mr. S. G. Tammewar is looking after the zoology department of the junior college.

Department of Zoology offers subject Zoology to undergraduate students in combination with subjects like chemistry, botany and geology. Recently Department of Zoology has started offering Zoology at the post graduation level as a non-grant course affiliated to RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. The department has been recognized as the place for higher learning and research by RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur in 2021. Currently two students are pursuing Ph.D. degrees.

Department of Zoology has two spacious laboratories well equipped with adequate instrumentation facilities. One of the laboratories is is ICT enabled. Department of Zoology takes pride in having a well maintained museum possessing very well preserved specimens. The department also has a research laboratory for carrying out research work including the M.Sc. dissertation work. The department also has a small library supplementary to the central library.

The faculty members have received funding for research from UGC through major and minor research projects; which has helped the department to grow.

Staff Members

Senior College

Name: Dr. Pawan U. Gajbe
Designation: Professor and Head
Qualification: M.Sc., Ph.D.
E-Mail: pugajbe@yahoo.com
Contact No.: 9890758784
Specialization: Zoology (Entomology)
Year of joining:

2005

Publications: 06 books, 50 scientific articles, 08 edited book chapters
Interest: Researching spiders
Achievements: Minor Researchh Project Completed
Name: Dr. U. R. Sonparote
Designation: Assistant Professor
Qualification: M.Sc., Ph.D. (Zoology)
E-Mail: umasonparote@yahoo.co.in
Contact No.: 9422812931
Specialization: Fisheries
Year of joining: 1992
Publications: National: 08, International: 01
Name: Dr. Nikhil Vishvas Palande
Designation: Assistant Professor
Qualification: M.Sc., Ph.D. (Zoology), NET (LS)- Life sciences
E-Mail: nvpalande@gmail.com, nvpalande@mohotasci.edu.in
Contact No.: +91-9011093421
Specialization: Neurobiology, Neuroendocrinology, Neurotoxicology
Year of joining: 2012
Publications: International- 09; National- Nil
Interest: Comparative neuroanatomy and neuroendocinology, immunohistochemistry, physiology of sense organs. The research area includes study of localization of various neuropeptides using various methods, study of calcium buffering, effects of toxicants on the physiology of nervous system using teleost models.
Achievements: 1. Ordinary Member of National Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE) 2. Received Ph.D. (Zoology) in 2014 from R. T. M. Nagpur University, Nagpur 3. Participated in Biology Olympiad Exposure Camp for Teachers in 2014 4. Member of Indian Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences 5. Member of Board of Studies in Zoology of S. P. College, Pune (2019 onwards)
Name: Dr. Vaishali H. Badiye
Designation: Assistant Professor
Qualification: M.Sc., Ph.D. (Zoology)
E-Mail: vaishalibadiye@yahoo.in
Contact No.: +91-9730926498
Specialization: Cell Biology
Year of joining: 2023
Publications: 06 (International)
Interest: Cell Biology, Reproductive Biology, Forensic Biology
Achievements: Best paper and Best poster awards received at the International Conference
Name: Dr. Bhavna H. Salame
Designation: Assistant Professor
Qualification: M.Sc. (Zoology), Ph.D., SET, B.Ed.
E-Mail: salamebhavna@gmail.com
Contact No.: +91-8007883323 / 9823188262
Specialization: Fish and Fisheries
Year of joining: 2023
Publications: National: 02, International: 02
Interest: Developmental biology, Environmental science, Avian biology
Achievements: 1. Recipient of Rajiv Gandhi national fellowship for higher studies 2. Recipient of the best poster and oral presentations in the National conference

Junior College

Name: Mr. S. G. Tammewar
Designation: Junior College Teacher
Qualification: M.Sc., B.Ed.
E-Mail: santammewar@gmail.com
Contact No.: 8208405649
Specialization: Mammalian Reproduction Physiology
Experience: 21 Years
Interest : Music

Support Staff

Name Designation Contact Number
Shri G. H. Deshmukh Laboratory Attendant 8788670991
Shri A. P. Waghade Laboratory Attendant 9552816616
Shri P. S. Bagde Laboratory Attendant 7507502600

Courses offered by the department:

The department offers zoology as one of the subjects in combination with botany, chemistry and geology in a three subject pattern at the level of under graduation. The department also offers zoology at the post-graduation level.

In addition, the department also offers short term course on sericulture, to semester I students.

Facilities offered by the department:

The instrumentation facility in the department includes spectrophotometer, students’ microscopes, binocular and trinocular microscopes, laminar air flow, electrophoresis assemblies, microtomes, UV transilluminator and others.

Research Projects:

The faculty members of the department have successfully completed three minor research projects and one major research project funded by the UGC, New Delhi.

Conferences/ workshops/ seminars organized:

Department of Zoology has organized a two days’ seminar funded by UGC, New Delhi in 2010. The department also conducts workshops on allied branches of zoology to impart knowledge to the students. Some of such workshops include workshop on apiculture, sickle cell detection camp, etc.

Zoological Society and activities organized under the aegis of the society:

Department of Zoology has an active zoological society, which is established every year with new student office bearers. Under the aegis of the zoological society, various programmes such as Science Day Celebration are organized. These programmes are organized for the students by the students with support from the entire staff of the Department of Zoology. Various events are organized for the overall development of students. The students are exposed to various subject related topics through various competitions like group discussions, exhibitions, poster competitions, oral presentations, quiz, etc. The zoological society invites various experts from the allied fields of zoology to share their expertise with the students to motivate them to take up further studies in the subject.

MoUs:

The college has signed the MOU with CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi primarily involving Department of Zoology for inviting experts for guest lectures, for sharing infrastructural facilities through training of students and faculty members.

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