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Shillong, Dec 22: In a major scientific milestone for Northeast India, Dr Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Biology at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), has been conferred the prestigious “Young Scientist Award–2025” by the Society for Plant Research (VEGETOS), an internationally recognised research body associated with the Springer Nature Group.
The honour places Dr Mohanta among India’s most promising emerging scientists, celebrated for his pioneering work in phytochemicals and medicinal plant science—fields that hold transformative potential for pharmaceutical innovation, sustainable healthcare, and bioresource-based industries.
His research investigates the chemical makeup of indigenous and lesser-studied plant species, with the goal of translating traditional medicinal knowledge into scientifically validated, modern therapeutic applications. The award citation acknowledges his contributions as “original, impactful, and globally relevant.”
In a further testament to his scientific influence, Dr Mohanta was recently named among the World’s Top 2% Most Influential Scientists (2025), a global listing compiled by Stanford University and published by Elsevier (Scopus).
According to the Society for Plant Research, the Young Scientist Award is granted after a rigorous international peer review, assessing the academic depth, innovation, publication record, and societal importance of nominees’ work.
Faculty members and researchers at USTM hailed the recognition as a proud moment for the institution and the region, noting that it strengthens USTM’s growing visibility in global research networks.
Calling the award “deeply encouraging,” Dr Mohanta said the recognition reaffirmed the scientific value of India’s botanical wealth.
“This honour motivates me to continue bridging traditional knowledge with modern science, so that nature itself becomes a cornerstone of future healthcare solutions,” he said.
USTM, ranked among India’s top 200 universities by NIRF for four consecutive years and the only private university in Northeast India to secure an ‘A’ grade from NAAC in the first cycle, said the achievement reflects its focus on advanced research addressing both regional and global challenges.
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