Department of Botany
Dr. K. Murugesan
M.Sc., Ph.D., (Assistant Professor)
Email:
murugesan_botsf@tcarts.in
murugesan_botsf@tcarts.in
Date of Joining:
2024-06-19
2024-06-19
Educational Background
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.,) - 2020 - Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI) (Affiliated to Kannur University), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Master of Science in Botany (M.Sc.,) - 2013 - The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.
- Bachelor of Science in Botany (B.Sc.,) - 2011 - Kamaraj College (Affiliated to M.S. University), Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
- Diploma in Wildlife Biology - Kongunadu Arts & Science College, Coimbatore.
Professional Experience
- Assistant Professor (2024 - Till date) - PG & Research Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College, Teppakkulam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Assistant Professor (2021 - 2024) - PG Department of Botany, Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
- Junior Research Fellow (2013 - 2017) - Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Working Area
Currently I am working on Germplasm collection, maintenance and ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants, systematic studies (morphology, anatomy & cytology), understanding of morphological diversity and genetic variation of infra-generic and intra-species level. Green synthesis of nanoparticles using medicinal plants and its anti-microbial activity studies.
Awards & Recognitions
Awards
- Received Durambai Award for Second Rank in B.Sc., Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology (Major), 2008 – 2011, at Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
- Received First Prize for Best Paper Presentation in National Seminar on Plant Diversity Conservation and Bioprospecting in Western Ghats - 2017, Department of Botany, Government College, Kasaragod, Kerala
- Received Prof. A. Abraham Memorial Award-2019 (Third Prize) for Best Paper Presentation in Prof. A. Abraham Memorial Seminar, held at JNTBGRI, Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala 24th May 2019.
- Selected as Best Poem of the Week (July 2017) by Vallamai Magazine on Walk to get the road like this!
- Received Best Oral Paper Award in International Conference on Innovations in Sustainable Technologies for Energy, Environment and Healthcare organized by Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College of Engineering on 13-14 February 2026.
Faculty Development Programme
- Participated in the International FDP on “Microscopy – An overview (Phase I)” organized by Department of Microbiology, Sacred Heart College, Tamil Nadu in association with Microbilogists Society of India, Biotechnology Society of Nepal and Western Rio Janerio State University Brazil on 3rd to 09th February 2023.
- Participated in the FDP on “Citation Styles and Reference Lists using Mendeley” organized by Department of Data Science, Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Secunderabad, Telangana on 21th to 23rd June 2021.
- Participated in the UGC Paramesh Scheme sponsored one day Webinar on “Revised NAAC Criteria – A Glance” organized by IQAC, Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College, Uthangarai, Krishnagiri on 10th April 2021.
Workshop/Training
- Participated 10 days Mastering Instrumentation Programme on SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, DLS & RAMAN Spectroscopy organized by NanoNest Laboratory on 05.11.2025 to 15.11.2025.
- Participated two days National Workshop on “IUCN Redlist Assessment of Plant Diversity” organized by Department of Biology, The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Dindigul in association with IUCN-SSC-Western Ghats Plant Specialist Group on 7th and 8th February 2024.
- Participated one week “Hands on Training in Cytology and Tissue Culture in Plant Sciences” organized by Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra from 08th to 12th April 2022.
- Participated one week International Workshop on “How to Write a Quality Research Article” jointly organized by Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College, Tamil Nadu, Christ University, Bengaluru and Jyothi Engineering College, Kerala from 24th to 30th May 2021.
- Participated two days Lecture Workshop on “Taxonomy and Conservation of Plant Diversity” organized by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 24th & 25th Jan. 2019.
- Participated two days training programme on “Familiarisation, Farming and Propagation of Medicinal Plant” organized by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 9th & 10th Oct. 2017.
- Participated two days Workshop on “Advanced Tools of Biostatistics”, organized by CEPCI Laboratory & Research Institute, Kollam, Kerala on 26th & 27th June 2017.
- Participated two days National Workshop on “Western Ghats: Evolution and Environmental Issues”, organized by National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NSESS), Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Kerala on 1st & 2nd Jan. 2016.
- Participated one day workshop on “Plant Tissue Culture Technique”, organized by The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University), Tamilnadu on 11th April 2013.
- Participated two days training programme on “Mushroom Cultivation Technology”, organized by The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University), Tamilnadu on 8th & 9th Dec. 2012
Events organized
- Organized and act as Organizing Secretary of Hands on Workshop in Plant Identification and Taxonomic Key Preparation on the celebration of International Forests Day 2023 at Department of Botany. Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College on 21 March 2023.
- Organized and act as Organizing Secretary in Inter-Collegiate Competitions on World Sparrow, Forest and Water Day celebrations at Department of Botany, Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College on 22 May 2022.
- Organized and act as Organizing Secretary in Photo Contest on International Biodiversity Day celebrations at Department of Botany, Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College on 22 May 2021.
Research Publications
Book Chapters
- Anoosh Varghese, Sreekala AK and Murugesan K. 2023. Nutritive analysis of an underutilized edible fruit of the Myrtaceae Family: Syzygium occidentale (Bourd.) Gandhi. In: Research Trends in Plant Science. Bangar M, Bai, BP, Dasgupta S and Yadav S (Eds.). Bhumi Publishing, India. Pp. 98 – 101. (ISBN: 978-93-88901-68-0)
- Murugesan K, Madhubala C and Dan M. 2022. Leaf venation architecture of Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wight & Arn. In: Biodiversity: Exploration, Exploitation, and Conservation for Sustainable Development. Bhuyan S I, Agarwal H, Islam M, Teronpi V and Baruah D (Eds.). Research Culture Society, Gujarat, India. pp. 111 – 117.
- Murugesan K, Dan M, Mathew S P and Kumar E S S. 2016. Leaf morphology and stomatal studies of Plumbago L. species from India. In: Advances and challenges in Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Conservation. Smitha R B, Prakashkumar R, Pradeep N S, Mohanan K V and Madhusoodanan P V (Eds.). Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, Kerala, India. pp. 62 – 68.
Research Papers Published
- Thambidurai S, Arumugam J, Kandasamy M, Balaji D, Pugazhenthiran N, Jothilakshmi R, Kumar BS, Murugesan K, Kumar SK, Muneeswaran T, Jayakumar K and Suresh S. 2023. Vitex negundo and Euphorbia milii leaf extracts aided green synthesis of copper oxide nanostructures for effective inactivation of pathogenic bacteria. Chemical Physics Letters, 832: 140881.
- Suresh S, Prabu KM, Arivuselvi R, Kandasamy M, Pugazhenthiran N, Kumar SK, Jothilakshmi R and Murugesan K. 2023. Cow dung extract as a low-cost and natural sensitizer for zinc oxide nanoparticles photoanode based dye-sensitized solar cell: A novel initiative for waste to energy conversion. Results in Chemistry, 6: 101060.
- Murugesan K and Mathew Dan. 2019. Intraspecific variability studies in foliar micro-morphology of Pellionia heyneana Wedd. (Urticaceae), from Western Ghats. Phytomorphology, 69(3&4): 101–112.
- Kumar E S S, Krishnan S G, Murugesan K, Namitha L H and Veldkamp J F. 2017. Reinstatement and lectotypification of Biophytum poterioides Edgew. (Oxalidaceae) – an endemic species of the Peninsular India. Abrahamia, 3(1): 16–19.
- Kumar E S S, Krishnan S G, Murugesan K and Shailajakumari S. 2016. Notes on Polyalthia malabarica (Bedd.) I.M. Turner and Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thwaites (Annonaceae). International Journal of Botany Studies, 1(4): 27–28.
- Kumar E S S, Mathew S P, Jabbar M A, Krishnan S G and Murugesan K. 2015. Rediscovery of Thottea dalzellii (Hook.f.) Karthik. & Moorthy (Aristolochiaceae) from the Western Ghats. International Journal of Advanced Research, 3(4): 1–4.
Paper Presented in International/National Conference & Seminars
- Murugesan K and Sasikala K. 2025. Taxonomic Notes on Astraea Lobata L. (Euphorbiaceae). In: International Conference on Recent Trends in Transforming Global Production Systems Cutting Edge Technologies in Penta ‘F’ Food, Fibre, Feed, Fuel and Fertilizers, Department of Botany Thiagarajar College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Shakthimalar V, Murugesan K and Balakrishnan B. 2025. Analysis of Antibacterial Activity of Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook.f. & Benth. (Rubiaceae), Leaf Extract. In: Annual Conference on Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, The Madura College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Balakrishnan B, Murugesan K and Shakthimalar V. 2025. Analysis of Antibacterial Activity of Thottea Siliquosa (Lam.) Ding Hou (Aristolochiaceae), Leaf Extract. In: International Conference on Recent Innovation & Emerging Trends in Life Science, Department of Botany, Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
- Murugesan K, Balakrishnan B and Shakthimalar V. 2025. Tottea siliquosa (Lam.) Ding Hou (Aristolochiaceae), An Underutilized Medicinal Plant Species of Western Ghats, India. In: International Conference on Life Sciences with Future Perspectives on World Challenges and Developments, Department of Botany, Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
- Murugesan K, Dhaarani V and Dan M. 2024. Morphological, Anatomical and Stomatal Morphology of the Selected Species of the Genus Datura L. from Tamil Nadu. In: International Conference on Plant Taxonomy – Tracking Changes Over Time for Biodiversity Conservation and Human Welfare, Departemen Biologi, FMIPA, West Java.
- Murugesan K and Mani K. 2024. Systematic studies of the Datura discolor Bernh. (Solanaceae), from Tamil Nadu, India. In: National Conference on Plant Actives, Bioenergy and Sustainable Bioproducts – NCPBS, Department of Botany, Bishop Heber College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
- Murugesan K, Gokulsarvesh T, Jayavalishvaran J, Arulmozhivarman V and Logasathiyanathan K. 2023. Variations in the kernel colour of Zea mays L. (Poaceae) – A Review. In: National Seminar on Celebrating Millets Legacy & Contribution to Agriculture-CMLCA-2023, Department of Botany, Nallamuthu Goundar Mahalingam College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
- Murugesan K. 2023. Fruit and seed morphological characterization of selected species of the genus Datura L. (Solanaceae), from Eastern Ghats. In: National Seminar on New Approaches in Seed Biological Research: An Effective Ex-situ Conservation Strategy for the Restoration of Valuable Forest Tree Species, Department of Botany, Sree Krishna College, Thrissur, Kerala.
- Murugesan K and Mathew Dan. 2023. Micro-morphological Characterization and its importance in genetic variability studies. In: International Conference on Contemporary Zenith and Rejuvenation in Organic Agriculture & Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Development, Department of Botany, Padmavani Arts & Science For Women, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
- Murugesan K, Thennarasu M, Kumar BS, Dhaarani V and Mathew Dan. 2022. A study on Stomatal ontogeny and stomatal clustering of Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. (Loranthaceae) from Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. In: International Virtual Conference on Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (IVCPB-2022), Department of Botany, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, Kerala.
- Murugesan K, Madhubala C and Mathew Dan. 2022. Leaf venation architecture of Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wight & Arn. In: International Conference on Biodiversity: Exploration, Exploitation, Conservation for Sustainable Development 2022 (ICB-01), Department of Botany, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyala, Behali, Assam.
- Murugesan K and Dan M. 2019. Variability of floral morphology in Pellionia heyneana Wedd. (Urticaceae) from Western Ghats. In: 29th Annual Conference of Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT) and National Symposium on Modern Trends in Biosystematics of Angiosperms, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, pp. 63.
- Murugesan K and Dan M. 2019. Assessment of variability in Pellionia heyneana Wedd. (Urticaceae), from southern Western Ghats, with special reference to foliar traits. In: National Seminar on Advances and Applications in Plant Science, Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, pp. 38
Popular Article
- Murugesan K. 2025. Illaigal Alla Vidhaigal (in Tamil). Namadhu Ariviyal, 7(78): 10–11.
- Murugesan K and Priyadharsini M. 2023 Karudakodi (in Tamil). Namadhu Ariviyal, 5(58): 22–23.
- Murugesan K and Reshma S. 2022. Then Thumbai (in Tamil). Namadhu Ariviyal, 4(38): 4–5.
- Murugesan K and Madhubala C. 2022. Neermali (in Tamil). Namadhu Ariviyal, 3(35): 4–5.
- Murugesan K. 2020. Tiger Orchid: A Beautiful Flower (in Tamil). Namadhu Ariviyal, 18(2): 10–11.