Background :
As a Marine Biodiversity researcher at the esteemed ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, stationed at Mangalore Regional Centre since March 2015, I have found my niche in the intricate realm of invertebrate taxonomy, with modest contributions reflected in peer reviewed publications. My professional pursuits extend to the study of resilient potential of marginal coral ecosystems, and in identifying Ecologically and Biologically Sensitive Areas (EBSAs) within the vast expanse of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) along the southwest coast of India. Was also engaged in the exploration of jellyfish diversity and blooms within the coastal and marine waters of the Karnataka coast. Additionally, since 2017, I've had the privilege of serving as a member of the National Working Group on Echinoderms and Cnidarians. Beyond my academic endeavors, I had the opportunity to be a PADI and SSI certified deep diver. My explorations, have allowed me to delve into coastal waters along the Karnataka coast for nearly 50 times, reaching depths of up to 40 meters. These experiences have served to enrich my humble understanding of marine ecosystemsTop of Form.
Education :
- B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) : 2005-2010, Fisheries Science, Kerala Agricultural University/ College of Fisheries, Kochi, Kerala
- M.F.Sc.(Master of Fisheries Science) : 2010-2012, Fisheries Resource Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
- Ph.D. (Fisheries Resource Management): 2012-2019, Fisheries Resource Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
- Ph.D thesis title, Guide’s Name, Institute/Organization/University, Year of Award.Ph.D. Thesis title: Biology and Stock Delineation of Razor Moonfish, Mene Maculata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) along the Konkan-Malabar Coast of IndiaPh.D. Guide: Dr. A.K. Jaiswar, Principal Scientist, Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai:Institute/Organization/University: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai:Year of Award: 2019
- PADI and SSI certified deep diver
Current Research Projects :
Sl No: | Name | Funding Agency |
1 | Innovations in seaweed seedling production and environmental suitability assessment for cultivation-MBEMD/SWD/27 | ICAR |
2. | Assessment of resilience potential of coral reef | ICAR |
3. | Jellyfish bloom dynamics in coastal and marine ecosystems of India | ICAR |
Awards & Recognitions :
- Young Marine Biologist Award; Marine Biological Association of India, 2020
- Best Paper Award; In National Conference on Marine Debris (COMAD) by Marine Biological Association of India, 2018
- Young Researcher Fellowship; BOLD (International Barcode of Life), Canada, 2011
Publications:
- Sajikumar, K K; Sasikumar, Geetha; Viswambharan, Divya; Rahuman, Summaya; Jeena, N S; Vineesh, N; Binesh, C P; Koya, K P Said; Mahesh, V; Rohit, Prathibha; Asokan, P K and Mohan, Smruthu Resolving taxonomic ambiguity and distribution of Tremoctopus gracilis (Cephalopoda: Tremoctopodidae) based on molecular evidence. Marine Biology 171 1-11 2024
- Divya Viswambharan · K. R. Sreenath · S. Jasmine · K. K. Joshi · C. R. Sreeraj · Smruthu Mohan ·Prathibha Rohit Occurrence of the supposedly endemic Australian azooxanthellate coral Astrangia woodsi Wells, 1955 in the eastern Arabian Sea Marine Biodiversity 51(84) 1-7 2021
- Divya Viswambharan, Sreenath, K R., Alvin, A., Raju, Aju K., Mohan, Smruthu, Jasmine, S., Joshi, K K., Rohit, Prathibha New distributional record of Acroporids along the eastern Arabian Sea.Regional Studies in Marine Science 41(101550) 1-7 2021
- V. R. Madhu, Geetha Sasikumar, Divya Viswambharan, Prathibha Rohit, M. Chaniappa, Lingappa, K. M. Rajesh, K. A. Sayana and P. Pravin Pair Trawling vs. Otter Trawling: An evaluation of efficiency along the Southwest Coast of India Fishery Technology 58 203 - 209 2021
- Smruthu Mohan, Divya Viswambharan, Geetha Sasikumar An insight on the distribution of Evelineus mcintoshii (Langerhans, 1880) (Nemertea, Heteronemertea, Lineidae) along the Eastern Arabian Sea Indian Journal of Geo-marine Science 50(07) 591-594 2021
- Rajesh, K M, Rohit, Prathibha, Divya Viswambharan, Abdussamad, E M and Rajesh, Mridula Feeding behaviour of the sawtooth barracuda, Sphyraena putnamae (Jordan and Seale, 1905) along the southeastern Arabian Sea, India. Regional Studies in Marine Science 47(101974) 1-9 2021
- Aswathy, N., Rajesh, K M., Divya Viswambharan and Prathibha Rohit Benefit sharing in the value chain of Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta in Karnataka: A policy perspective Indian Journal of Fisheries 67(1) 123-128 2020
- Rajesh, K M, Rohit, Prathibha, Abdussamad, E M, Divya Viswambharan Reproductive biology of the sawtooth barracuda, Sphyraena putnamae (Jordan and Seale, 1905) along the coastal waters of Karnataka, southeastern Arabian Sea.Regional Studies in Marine Science ,36(101314) 1-7 2020
- Murugesan, Srihari, Jose, Neethu, Divya Viswambharan, and Jaiswar, A K First record on the absence of anal fin in the white sardine, Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847) from Indian waters Indian Journal of Geo-marine Science 48(10) 1521-1523 2019
- Divya Viswambharan, Pratibha Rohit, K. K. Joshi, Sujitha Thomas, Latha Shenoy and A. K. Jaiswar Length-weight relationship and growth parameters of moonfish Mene maculata (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Karnataka Coast, India. Indian Journal of Fisheries 65(1) 105-109 2018
- Divya Viswambharan, Pavan-Kumar, A, Singh, Dhirendra P., Jaiswar, A K, Chakraborty, S K., Nair, J Rajasekharan and Lakra, W S DNA barcoding of gobiid fishes (Perciformes, Gobioidei).Mitochondrial DNA 26(1) 15-19 2015