DESCRIPTION :

Sony received her graduate and a post-graduate degree in Microbiology from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. Thereafter, she gained varied experiences as Quality Control Technologist in food processing industry, and Assistant Professor of Microbiology at some colleges before joining CSIR in CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh on 20^th April 2005 as Junior Scientist in the Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC, an International Depository Authority of microbial culture collections), and then transferred to her current position, as Scientist in CSIR-IMMT in April 2008. Sony pursued a doctorate degree in Life Sciences from Utkal University Bhubaneswar in the area of microbial diversity and biotechnological potential of marine sponge and sediment-associated bacteria of the Bay of Bengal. During the course of this work she has contributed significantly to marine sponge microbial diversity as well as to beta-glucosidase inhibitors, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antimicrobial activity of marine sponge isolates. She has developed a novel method for screening beta-glucosidase inhibitors and using this method found a huge diversity of marine bacteria producing beta-glucosidase inhibitor compounds. She has also discovered that several species of marine bacteria (from marine sediment, sponges, and soft corals) including the industrial workhorse – Bacillus subtilis – is able to produce anticholinesterase inhibitors which are a potent drug for Alzheimer’s disease.

She established the Environment Biology Laboratory (EBL) following ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards as a Quality Manager. EBL is NABL accreditated for microbiological water quality analysis and monitoring for the Coliforms & E.coli. 

• Principal Scientist , Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-IMMT, since Apr 2017
• Associate Preofessor, AcSIR, since April 2017
• Senior Scientist, Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-IMMT, Apr 2013 to 2017
• Scientist, Environment & Sustainabilty, CSIR-IMMT April 2008 to Apr 2013
• Junior Scientist, MTCC, CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh from Apr 2005 to Mar 2008
• Assistant Professor, Microbiology (Sept 2002 - Mar 2005)
• Quality Control Technologist (Dec 2001-Sept 2002)
  

• Indian Academy of Sciences Teacher Research Fellowship in 2003.

1. Jyotsnarani Jena, Sanak Ray, Sony Pandey and Trupti Das. Effect of COD/N ratio on simultaneous removal of nutrients and COD from synthetic high strength waste water under anoxic conditions. (2013). Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 72 (2): 127-131(IF=0.505).
2. Pandey, Sony*; Sree, Ayinampudi; Dash, Soumya S; Sethi, Dipti P. A novel method for screening beta-glucosidase inhibitors. (2013) BMC Microbiology, 13: 55; doi: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-55 (IF – 2.98). Pubmed ID: PMC3599609.
3. Pandey, Sony*; Sree, Ayinampudi; Dash, Soumya S; Sethi, Dipti P, Lipsa Chowdhury. Diversity of marine bacteria producing beta-glucosidase inhibitors. (2013) Microbial Cell Factories, 12: 35; doi:10.1186/1475-2859-12-35 (IF – 4.25). Cited – 12. Pubmed ID: 23590573 PMCID: PMC3639877.
4. Geetanjali Mishra, Barsha Dash, Sony Pandey, Pragya Paramita Mohanty (2013). Antibacterial actions of nano silver incorporated Zn-Al layered double hydroxide and its spinel. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol. 1 (4): 1124-1130 (IF – 5.876).
5. S. Das, J. Mishra, S. K. Das, S. Pandey, D. S. Rao, A. Chakraborty, M. Sudarshan, H. N. Thatoi (2014). Investigation on mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction and removal by Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, a novel chromate tolerant bacterium isolated from chromite mine soil. Chemosphere, 96: 112 – 121 (IF-3.499). PMID: 24091247.
6. Sony Pandey*, Ayinampudi Sree, Dipti Priya Sethi, Chityal Ganesh Kumar, Sudha Kakollu, Lipsa Chowdhury and Soumya Suchismita Dash (2014). A marine sponge associated strain of Bacillus subtilis and other marine bacteria can produce anticholinesterase compounds. Microbial Cell Factories, 13: 24; doi:10.1186/1475-2859-13-24. (IF – 4.25),
7. Dipti Priya Sethi, Ajoy Pal, Ramasamy Sakthivel, Sony Pandey, Tapan Dash, Trupti Das (2013). Water disinfection through photoactive modified Titania. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Vol.130, pg. 310–317 (IF- 2.803).
8. Diptipriya Sethi, Naresh Jada, Rohit Kumar, Sakthivel Ramasamy, Sony Pandey, Trupti Das, Jayasankar Kalidoss, Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, Ashish Tiwari (2014). Synthesis and characterization of titania nanorods from ilmenite for photocatalytic annihilation of E. coli. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Vol. 140, pg. 69–78 (IF- 2.803).
9. S. Das, S. Pandey, S. K. Pradhan, M. Sudarshan, A. Chakraborty, H. N. Thatoi (2015). Genomic analysis and comparative hexavalent Chromium reduction potential of predominant Bacillus species isolated from chromite mine soil. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal; 24:2, pg. 206-221, DOI: 10.1080/15320383.2014.931922 (IF- 0.575).
10. Diptipriya Sethi, Naresh Jada, Ashish Tiwari, Sakthivel Ramasamy, Tapan Dash, Sony Pandey (2015). Photocatalytic destruction of Escherichia coli in water by V2O5/TiO2. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Vol. 144: pg. 68–74 (IF- 2.803).
11. Jyotsnarani Jena, Ravindra Kumar, Anshuman Dixit, Sony Pandey, Trupti Das (2015). Evaluation of simultaneous nutrient and COD removal with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation using mixed microbial consortia under anoxic condition and their bioinformatics analysis. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0116230 (IF- 3.234).
12. R.K. Mohaptra, S. Pandey, H.N. Thatoi, C.R. Panda (2016). Screening and Evaluation of Multi-metal Tolerance of Chromate Resistant Marine Bacteria Isolated from Water and Sediment Samples of Paradip Port, Odisha Coast. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2(3) 2016 pp 135 – 147.
13. Geetanjali Mishra, Barsha Dash, Diptipriya Sethi, Sony Pandey, B.K. Mishra (2017). Orientation of Organic Anions in Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxides with Enhanced Antibacterial Property. Environmental Engineering Science, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ees.2016.0531. (Impact factor – 1.481).
14. RK Mohapatra, S Pandey, H Thatoi, CR Panda. (2017) Reduction of Chromium (VI) by Marine Bacterium Brevibacillus laterosporus Under Varying Saline and pH Conditions. Environmental Engineering Science 34 (9), 617-626. (Impact factor – 1.481).
15. Mishra G., Dash B., Pandey S., Sethi D. (2017). Comparative evaluation of the synthetic routes on the release factor and antibacterial/antifungal properties of Zn-Al layered double hydroxides containing benzoate (BZ) anion, Environmental Engineering Science 35 (3), 247-260, DOI: 10.1089/ees.2017.0062. (IF- 1.481).
16. Geetanjali Mishra, Barsha Dash, Sony Pandey (2018) Layered double hydroxides: A brief review from fundamentals to application as evolving biomaterials. Applied Clay Science, 153: 172–186. (IF- 3.101).
17. Geetanjali Mishra, Barsha Dash, Sony Pandey, Diptipriya Sethi (2018). Ternary layered double hydroxides (LDH) based on Cu- substituted Zn-Al for the design of efficient antibacterial ceramics, Applied Clay Science 165: 214–222. (IF- 3.101).
18. Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Pankaj Kumar Parhi, Sony Pandey, Birendra Kumar Bindhani, Hrudayanath Thatoi, Chitta Ranjan Panda (2019) Active and passive biosorption of Pb (II) using live and dead biomass of marine bacterium Bacillus xiamenensis PbRPSD202: Kinetics and isotherm studies. Journal of Environmental Management, 247: 121-134. (IF- 4.865) (DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.06.073).
19. Mohapatra Ranjan Kumar, Parhi Pankaj Kumar, Pandey Sony* and Panda Chitta Ranjan (April 2019) A multiple pesticide resistant Bacillus cereus PR-2J isolated from paddy field - a potential strain for pesticide detoxification. Research Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 14(4): 54-64. (IF- 0.266).
20. Geetanjali Mishra, Barsha Dash, Sony Pandey (2019) Effect of molecular dimension on gallery height, release kinetics and antibacterial activity of Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) encapsulated with benzoate and its derivatives. Applied Clay Science,Vol. 181, 15: 105230. (IF- 3.101).
21. Jayashree Maharana, Sony Pandey* & Nabin Kumar Dhal (2022) A Brief Overview of the Degradation of Cyanides and Phenols in the Environment With Reference to the Coke Oven Industry Discharge. Geomicrobiology Journal, DOI: 10.1080/01490451.2022.2045648 (IF – 2.308).
22. Mishra, G., Praharaj, P., Pandey, S., & Parida, S. (2023). Biodegradable layered double hydroxide-based polymeric films for sustainable food packaging applications. Applied Clay Science, 240, 106978. DOI:10.1016/j.clay.2023.106978 (IF – 5.907).
23. Yamini Mittal, Pratiksha Srivastava, Sony Pandey, Asheesh Kumar Yadav (2023). Development of nature-based sustainable passive technologies for treating and disinfecting municipal wastewater: Experiences from constructed wetlands and slow sand filter. Science of the Total Environment, 900: 165320. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165320 (IF- 10.754)

Patents filed in India

§           A process for the preparation of a natural disinfectant surface cleaner – Sony Pandey, Bibhuranjan Khatua, Jayashree Maharana, Upasana Mohapatra, Nabin Kumar Dhal, Togapur Pavan Kumar, Sudhasatwa Basu.

Patent Filing Number: 202211019838; Dated: 31.3.2022.

§    Process for preparation of Guanosine derivatives and their bioactives thereof - Rambabu Dandela, Bhaskar Narayan Thorat, Pothireddy Mohanreddy, Swadhapriya Bhukta, Pavan Kumar, Sony Pandey, Upasana Mohapatra, are co-inventors. Patent Filing Number: 202131011177. Date: 16-4-2021.

§    Process for preparation hydrazine and pyrazole derivatives and their antibacterial efficiency thereof - Rambabu Dandela, Bhaskar Narayan Thorat, Pothireddy Mohanreddy, Swadhapriya Bhukta, Pavan Kumar, Sony Pandey, Upasana Mohapatra, are co-inventors. Patent Application Number: 202031049698. Date: 13-11-2020.

Book Chapters

Chapter:  Pathogenicity, Characterization and Impact of Ambient Bio-Aerosols on the Climatic Processes: With a Special Emphasis on the Indian Subcontinent. Minati Behera, Jyotishree Nath, Sony Pandey, Ramasamy Boopathy and Trupti Das. Published online first: June 25th, 2022. FROM THE EDITED VOLUME Air Quality and Health [Working Title] Prof. Ayse Emel Onal

News Letters

1.           CSIR News - July 2013. Beta-glucosidase inhibitors hidden in the microbial world. Sony Pandey & colleagues in CSIR-IMMT.

2.         CSIR News - July 2016. Bacillus subtilis and other marine sponge bacteria as potential producers of anticholinesterase compounds. Sony Pandey & colleagues in CSIR-IMMT and CSIR-IICT.

Patent no. 349714, Dated – 21.10.2020: Title - Preparation of thermally treated composite of Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxide with CU(II) showing antibacterial activity. Inventors:  Dash Barsha, Pandey Sony, Mishra Geetanjali

1. Exploitation of India’s Rich Microbial Diversity 
2. Development of potential drugs from the ocean
3. Preparation of Antimicrobial ceramics from Zn-Al LDH 
4. Development of Titania based material for water disinfection 
5. Development of sustainable waste management technologies for chemical and allied industries
6. Probing the Changing Atmosphere and its Impacts in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and Himalayan Regions
7. Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS)
8. Water quality assessment for drinking,medical,construction and industrial effluent for environmental studies.
9. Add-on technology for Terafil water filter
10. Development of biological filter for waste water treatment
11. Center of Excellence for Water Quality Assessment
12. Constructed wetland
13. Aerosol radiative forcing in India – land campaign for physical characterization of aerosols at Bhubaneswar (Phase-I -IV)
14. Design And Development Of A Germicidal Attachment For Terafil Water Filter
15. Novel bioplastic material from marine microbes for industrial applications through sustainable processes
16. Retrieval of Polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer from bacteria for biodegradable plastic production
17. Design and Development of Self-Sustainable Zero Discharge Hygienic Toilet
18. Bacteria responsive “intelligent” coating to combat dialysis catheter related infection
19. Production of Potash, Sulfur and Phosphorus enriched biochars utilizing biomass and fertilizer industries waste
20. Development and Scale up Studies for Cu Incorporated Zn/Al Layered Double Hydroxide Antimicrobial Material as Protective Cement Additive
21. An innovative spin to the existing water challenges: Wastewater to energy, clean water and fertilizer through the integration of traditional biological and advanced bioelectrochemical approaches
22. Shelf-life enhancement of seeds/grains by plasma treatment
23. Bulk utilization of textile industry wastewater containing sericin in preparing antimicrobial cement composite
24. CSIR Skill Initiative
25. Jigyasa 2.0 Programme with the concept of Virtual Lab integration (CJVL) – First Tranche
26. Development of natural disinfectant surface cleaner

Natural Disinfectant Surface Cleaner Technology:

Technology developed for a disinfectant surface cleaner with natural plant- and mineral-based ingredients having antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, forming a highly effective antimicrobial surface cleaning agent. The surfactant present is a terpenoid saponin, and several natural flavonoids and alkaloids act as antimicrobial agents, along with a mineral component that acts as both a coagulant and antimicrobial activity enhancer. This formulation named ReNeSa is inexpensive, safe, and non-toxic to humans and the environment. Surface cleaners have been extensively used during and after the pandemic because now people have started to realize the importance of maintaining hygiene and sanitation. A variety of disinfectant cleaning solutions are available in the market, but they are costly and toxic to humans and the environment. ReNeSa can be used for disinfection of indoor places like floors, doors and windows, handles, working tables, chairs, lobbies, corridors, staircase railing, escalators, elevators, offices, hospitals, public service booths, etc. which are required to be cleaned regularly. The formulation has been filed for patent and it is demonstrated to help develop many small-scale businesses with MSMEs and SHGs. 

One NGO - Bijay Kalinga Bikash, of Keonjhar district has commercialized the technology through Women's Self Help Group (WSHGs) under the brand name – NIMB.