Dr. Diana Benjamin
Cochin
Summary
Research and teaching in Zoology/ Fisheries/ Marine biology in a deemed institution in a technologically advanced environment. Proofreading, editing, and scientific writing
After taking M.Phil. in Fishery Science in 2009 from CUSAT and Masters in Zoology with Fishery Science as specialization in 2007 from Marthoma College, Kerala, India I worked with Government of India Project funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT with a research experience of 7 years in the same. Having 2 years of teaching experience to postgraduate students in the School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT, I have a total of 12 publications in International Peer-Reviewed Journals with deep-sea cruise experience on Scientific Research Vessel FORV Sagar Sampada. I worked as a Research Associate in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) leading a 5 member and 7-member team under me in two projects focussing on Traditional Knowledge in Fisheries and Gender in the Seaweed Farming Value Chain.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Scientist
Fishery Survey of India
Ernakulam
11.2022 - Current
Coordination of activities with and within institutions:
- Team Management: Team leader handling a Project team of 28 Young professionals and field assistant at six bases under the MMSAI Project funded by NOAA.
Assigning work to be done daily to the Project team.
Conducting reviews and follow up meetings for the team.
Preparation of monthly report by analysing all the data from different bases/ institutes and compiling the reports and various forms obtained from 6 bases of FSI (Mumbai, Goa, Cochin) along west coast and (Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Port Blair) along east coast into a consolidated monthly report for the Institute.
On-board Cruise participation, team handling and Sampling:
On-board participation on deepsea survey vessels of FSI for Mammal watch and also for collection of deep sea samples.
Leading the cruise team in operation of zooplankton net, seechi disk and van veen grab on board. Sampling and preservations done onboard.
Onboard surveying of the cruise team during squid jigging operations daily at night hours.
Stock Assessment studies and Taxonomy of Marine mammals along Indian EEZ m through line transect method.
Mammal watch onboard continuously from 6 A.M to 6 P.M. Continuous sea surface screening with binoculars.
Taking high quality photographs of marine mammals swiftly onboard through visual surveys.
Seabird watch and monitoring onboard and report preparation.
Turtle live and carcass, marine mammal carcass observing on board and preparing reports monthly.
Collecting and compiling all the physico-chemical oceanographic parameters from east and west coast to examine relationship between marine mammal spatial distribution and oceanographic features.
Taxonomy of deep-sea finfishes and elasmobranchs.
Carried out macro and meiobenthic faunal analysis, Turbidity and Zooplankton analysis.
Handling and guiding all the 28 personnels working at 6 bases of FSI under the marine mammal survey project funded by NOAA.
Scientific and Technical reports:
- Monthly evaluation of progress reports of 26 Young Professionals and 2 Field Assistants and submission.
- Preparation of summaries and immediate presentations in Post cruise meetings.
- Preparation and checking of monthly Voyage/Cruise report by the team
- Preparation of Scientific research articles for paper publications, short communications, Review paper, News paper content and banners etc.
- Preparation, Editing of Reports and writings for
· Annual Report
· Monthly report
· Cruise report
· Scientific reports
· Technical Report
· Fund and Utilization Certificate preparations
· Quotations for new equipment procurement
· Attendance statement of the entire team monthly.
Preparing presentations, taking presentations for all the project meetings on short notice.
Preparing summary of review meetings and reminding Director of the pending tasks to be done related to Project.
Abundance estimation species wise in marine mammals.
Plotting graphs, maps, transects and pie charts for species abundance using R SOFTWARE.
Using FiSAT Software for stock assessment studies in deepsea fishes, elasmobranchs and crustaceans.
Dentition and x-ray studies in various fish and elasmobranch species.
Imparting training on marine taxonomy:
- Engaging and taking classes; Providing hands on training on Taxonomy, Biology and stock assessment of deepsea fishes to new interns and also during institute visit by post graduate students of various colleges.
- Preparation and evaluation of work done report of the team
- Submitting various reports after thorough evaluation to the DG at Head quarters.
Comparing for various workshops, trainings and meetings etc.
Taking part in various workshops, trainings, rallies associated with environment awareness, conservation of marine resources and exhibitions at the assigned base of FSI including the Swaach Bharath activities.
Guiding and assisting the team in Museum and library arrangements at the Institute.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
- Prepared reports on research findings for publication or presentation.
- Provided technical guidance and mentorship to interns at the Institute.
- Created databases on Marine mammal sightings, sighting locations, species wise abundance along southwest and southeast coasts of India.
- Participated in conferences, workshops, seminars, and other events related to marine mammal and fin fish taxonomy and stock assessment using R Programme.
- Interpreted complex data sets from a variety of sources and downloaded physico-chemical oceanographic parameters from sites Copernicus and ERDAAP to establish the relationship between marine mammals abundance and these parameters.
- Managed resources such as personnel, materials, fellowship of team members, attendance, equipment procurement through quotations via GeM Portal within budget constraints.
- Developed monthly cruise reports base wise, monthly consolidated report (6 bases), Annual reports,post cruise meetings and recommendations regarding research outcomes through presentations.
- Prepared, checked and submitted workdone report of the team assigned every month to the Director General.
- Prepared interim and Utilization certificates/budgets for the marine mammal project and managed resources to keep tasks on track.
- Analyzed the data on species composition of whales and dolphins along Indian seas and reported new species via publications, reports, telephonic interviews and prepared newspaper scientific articles for publishing in local newspapers.
Research Associate III
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
Cochin
07.2020 - 12.2020
- Worked as a Research associate in ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology) leading a team size of 7 members under me in a project funded by AFS (Asian Fisheries Society ), Malaysia on ‘Dialogues in Gender and Coastal Aquaculture: Gender and the Seaweed Farming Value Chain’.
- Project sponsor: AFS (Asian Fisheries Society ), Malaysia.
Research Associate
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT)
Cochin
08.2015 - 11.2016
- Worked as a Research associate-I in ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology) leading a team under me in a project on 'Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) in the Marine fishing sector of Kerala: Documentation and Analysis'.
- Project sponsor: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) Hyderabad
Duties and Responsibilities carried out:
· Overall coordination of the target activities in the project
· Team management.
· Literature survey; data collection and analysis
· Preparation of reports, scientific papers, presentations
· Planning and organizing workshops.
· Project management, multitasking and meeting deadlines.
Senior Research Fellow
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
Cochin
12.2012 - 08.2015
- Worked as Senior Research Fellow in Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) entitled project 'Resource assessment and Biology of Deep-Sea Crustaceans inhabiting the Continental Slope of the Arabian Sea and Central Indian Ocean'
Junior Research Fellow
School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT
Cochin
11.2009 - 03.2012
- Worked as Junior Research Fellow, School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT, Kerala, India
- Project title: Assessment of fishery resources along the Indian Continental slope and the Central Indian Ocean.
Education
Ph.D. Fishery Science -
Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT)
01.2021
M.Phil. Fishery Science -
Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT)
01.2009
M.Sc. Zoology (Fisheries Science Specialization) -
Marthoma College, Mahatma Gandhi University
01.2007
B.Sc. Zoology -
St. Xavier's College for Women, Mahatma Gandhi University
01.2005
HSSC -
Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE), New Delhi
01.2002
SSC -
Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE), New Delhi
01.2000
Skills
- Taxonomy of marine fishes/sharks/crustaceans - New species/New Records identification
- Population dynamics (Stock assessment, growth, Length-weight Relationship in Elasmobranchs)
- Biology of Sharks (Reproductive/Food and Feeding)
- Shark conservation and Management
- Traditional Knowledge - Documentation, Filming, Planning Workshops, and event management
- Research and teaching in Zoology/ Fisheries/ Marine biology
- Proofreading, editing, and scientific writing
- Stock assessment studies using FiSAT II Software
- Histology
- Microsoft Office applications
- Certificate in Computer Application 2003 NIOS, New Delhi
Interested Role
- Research and teaching in Zoology/ Fisheries/ Marine biology in a deemed institution in a technologically advanced environment.
- Proofreading, editing, and scientific writing
Education And Experience In Depth
Taxonomy of elasmobranchs and life-history traits of bigeye thresher Shark Alopias superciliosus from the southwest coast of India, School of Industrial Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), 2012-2014, Fish and Crustacean Taxonomy, Biology, Population Dynamics and Stock Assessment, Postgraduate students, 1, 6 months, Research associate, ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology), 7, Dialogues in Gender and Coastal Aquaculture: Gender and the Seaweed Farming Value Chain, AFS (Asian Fisheries Society), Malaysia, Dr. Nikita Gopal, Extension, Information & Statistics Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fishery Technology (ICAR-CIFT), 2, 1 year and 6 months, Research associate, ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology), Not specified, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) in the Marine fishing sector of Kerala: Documentation and Analysis, INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services), Hyderabad, Dr. Nikita Gopal, Extension, Information & Statistics Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fishery Technology (ICAR-CIFT), 3, 2 years and 8 months, Senior Research Fellow, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Not specified, Resource assessment and Biology of Deep-Sea Crustaceans inhabiting the Continental Slope of the Arabian Sea and Central Indian Ocean, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India, Dr. M. Harikrishnan, SIF, CUSAT, 4, 2 years and 4 months, Junior Research Fellow, School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT, Kerala, India, Not specified, Assessment of fishery resources along the Indian Continental slope and the Central Indian Ocean, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India, Prof. Dr. B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice-Chancellor, KUFOS, 281, FORV Sagar Sampada, Multidisciplinary research cruise program covering the latitudes between 80 and 210 N on the west coast of India. The research cruise over 21 days covered 9 transects. The cruise concluded on 29-10-10., 332, FORV Sagar Sampada, Multidisciplinary research cruise on the South-eastern Arabian Sea. The research cruise over 17 days covered 6 transects. The cruise concluded on 10-12-2014., 2009-2015, Neendakara and Shakthikulangara Harbours in Kollam, Thopumpady, Munnambam harbor, Field survey conducted biweekly for collection of deepsea samples and recording catch details., Aug 2015-Mar, 2016, Various fishing villages in all districts of Kerala, Field visit to various fishing villages in all districts of Kerala.
Focus Of Research
- Taxonomy of marine fishes/sharks/crustaceans - New species/New Records identification.
- Population dynamics (Stock assessment, growth, Length-weight Relationship in Elasmobranchs)
- Biology of Sharks (Reproductive/Food and Feeding).
- Shark conservation and Management.
- Traditional Knowledge - Documentation, Filming, Planning Workshops, and event management.
Personal Information
- Citizenship: Indian
- Date of Birth: 09/14/84
Languages Known
- English
- Hindi
- Malayalam
Awards
- 2007: Gold Medallist and Best M.Sc. outgoing student of the year
- 2005 to 2007: Active member of Science Forum
- November 2016: won the 'Best Paper Award' in the 26th Swadeshi Science Movement, National Seminar on Blue growth entitled 'Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) in marine capture fisheries: A case study in Thrissur district, Kerala, India'.
- 8 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- 42 citations
- Identified 8 new records of sharks native to Australia and the Philippines from Indian waters
- Member of Research Team from CUSAT which identified 82 deep-sea finfishes from Indian EEZ
- Submitted 17 nucleotide sequences of 8 species in NCBI (Gene Bank) and obtained Accession number
- Anchored/Compared for various National and International level Seminars, Workshops, and other institute events and training programs
Publications
- Reproductive traits of deep-sea armored shrimp, Glyphocrangon investigations from Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Journal of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Submitted, JMBA-02-17-OA-0042, 1.09, 2017
- Redescription of Lysirude channel (Decapoda Crustacea: Raninidae) from Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Journal of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 10.1017/ S0025315416000746, 1.09, 2016
- Mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S rRNA) confirms the occurrence of Ephyrina Figueira Crosnier & Forest, 1973 in Indian waters, International Conference on Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, 4th-6th February 2016
- Major deepsea crustaceans inhabiting the continental slope of southeast Arabian sea-a study from FORV Sagar Sampada, International Conference on Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies, 4th-6th February 2016
- First Report on Recruits of Bigeye Thresher Shark Alopias Superciliosus (Laminiformes: Alopidae) with Largest Birth Size from Indian Waters, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 1, 4, 216-220, 2015, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280722760
- Ethnic Foods and Food-based Traditional Knowledge of Fishing community in Kerala, National Seminar on Food, Health, and Agro-Biodiversity Changing Paradigms (ANNAM-2015), 56, 2015
- Reproductive traits of deep-sea armored shrimp, Glyphocrangon investigations from Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, International journal of environmental sciences, 5, 1, 223-224, 2014, https://www.researchgate.net/.../279527497
- Morphological and molecular description for Glyphocrangon investigatoris Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 emphasizing its phylogenetic relationship, Mitochondria DNA, 1-5, 2014, 10.3109/19401736.2014.982554, 1.76
- A rare batfish species, Halimetus ruber (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from Indian EEZ, Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 2012, 1-2, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jai.12199/, 0.774
- Stock assessment of Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758) off the southwest coast of India, Journal of marine biological association of India, 54, 1, 95-99, 2012, 5.28
- Morphometric characteristics of the Ornate eagle ray Aetomylaeusvespertilio (Bleeker, 1852) caught off Cochin, southwest coast of India, International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 3, 1, 685-688, 2012, http://www.ipublishing.co.in/ijesarticles/twelve/lpages/0301/jeslpvol3issue1310066.html
- Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Malabar pufferfish, Carinotetraodon travancoricus (Hora& Nair, 1941) inhabiting River Pampa, Ornamentals Kerala, 42, 2014
References
- Dr. B. Madhusoodana Kurup, First Vice-Chancellor of Fisheries University of Kerala, India, Cochin University of Science & Technology, +91-9847295252, kurup424@gmail.com
- Dr. Mini Sekharan, Associate Professor, School of Industrial Fisheries, Lakeside Campus, Cochin University of Science & Technology, +91-9895070310, minisekharan@yahoo.com
- Dr. Nikita Gopal, Principal Scientist, EIS Division, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin-29, 9447091328, nikiajith@gmail.com
Timeline
Project Scientist
Fishery Survey of India
11.2022 - Current
Research Associate III
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
07.2020 - 12.2020
Research Associate
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT)
08.2015 - 11.2016
Senior Research Fellow
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
12.2012 - 08.2015
Junior Research Fellow
School of Industrial Fisheries, CUSAT
11.2009 - 03.2012
Ph.D. Fishery Science -
Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT)
M.Phil. Fishery Science -
Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT)
M.Sc. Zoology (Fisheries Science Specialization) -
Marthoma College, Mahatma Gandhi University
B.Sc. Zoology -
St. Xavier's College for Women, Mahatma Gandhi University
HSSC -
Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE), New Delhi
SSC -
Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE), New Delhi
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