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Dr. Md. Shahbaz Akhtar
(Senior Scientist)

NameDr. Md. Shahbaz Akhtar
DesignationSenior Scientist, ARS
QualificationMFSc, PhD
Email Addressmd.akhtar@icar.org.in
md.akhtar-icar@nic.in
mdshahbazakhtar@gmail.com
Professional experience (Years)16 years
Area of Research ExpertiseFish reproductive physiology, fish species conservation, eco-physiology, broodstock nutrition, climate change, stress physiology of fish, and immunomodulation.
Google scholar linkhttps://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=xxuN1UYAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/M_S_Akhtar2
ORCID IDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3233-530X
Awards/ Recognitions

1.  Received Padma Shri Dr. S. Ayyappan Gold Medal in recognition of distinguished research contributions in 2023 by the Inland Fisheries Society of India.

2.  Conferred Coldwater Fisheries Society of India Gold Medal in recognition of outstanding research contribution in the field of coldwater fisheries research and development in 2022.

3.  Awarded Fellow of Zoological Society of India (Registration Act 21, 1860; Regd. No. 302/2002-2003) in recognition of outstanding research contribution in the field of fish and fisheries in 2017.

4.  Conferred with “Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award for the Best Indian Fisheries Scientist for the year 2013” by the professional Fisheries Graduate Forum (PFGF), Mumbai, in November 2014.

5.  Received ‘Award of Professional Competency and Academic Excellence’ from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai in 2009.

6.  Received ‘Hiralal Chaudhary Gold Medal’ for securing 1st position in M.F.Sc degree from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai in 2008.

7.  Received Sir Dorabji TATA Endowment Award for overall topper in MFSc courses in the university (ICAR-CIFE) in 2008.

8.  Awarded ‘KC Naik Gold Medal’ for securing First Rank in the selection of “Best Fisheries Graduate of India 2006” by Professional Fisheries Graduate Forum (PFGF), Mumbai.

9.  Secured First Rank in All India Competitive Examination for Admissions to Post Graduate Programmes, 2006 conducted by Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture, and Govt. of India.

10.  Received Certificate of Appreciation from Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University for securing the First Rank in All India Competitive Examination for Admissions to Post Graduate Programmes, 2006 conducted by Indian council of Agricultural Research.

11.  Awarded with Junior Research Fellowship by ICAR to pursue MFSc (2006-2008) in ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai.
Publication (no.)

Research papers:-                                       95

Review papers:-                                            04

Books:-                                                                03 (Authored-2, Edited-1)

Book chapters:-                                              16

Scientific popular articles:-                      15

Others:

Technical bulletins and leaflets:-            18

NCBI Genbank submissions:-                   55

Patent:-                                                                   01

Technology developed:-                                03

Technology commercialized:-                    03
Projects (Institutional/ External)

Institutional Projects

1. Development of protocols for live transportation of mahseer brooders PI 2025 – 2028

2. Development of a waning strategy for golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Project code: AQ 16/SP7) Co-PI 2023 – 2026

3. Unravelling thermal and size dependent fertility traits of male golden mahseer brooders in captive conditions (AQ18-SP10) PI 2022 – 2025

4. Optimization of reproductive and spawning performance for up-scaling seed production of golden mahseer in captivity (Project code-AQ16d) PI 2018 – 2022

5. Nutritional intervention for improving reproductive competence and larval quality traits of golden mahseer, Tor putitora in captivity (AQ21b) Co-PI 2019 – 2023

6. Photo-thermal manipulations for gonadal development of golden mahseer in captivity (Project code AQ16a) PI 2014 – 2018

7. Nutrient   mediated metabolic regulation of growth and wellbeing in snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii (AQ17b)  PI 2015-2019

8. Endocrine aspects of growth and maturity in snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii (AQ17d) Co-PI 2015 – 2019

9. Evaluation of seed rearing techniques of common carp and golden mahseer for stock enhancement in semi-temperate Himalayan lakes using floating cages (AQ10) PI 2011 – 2015

10. Devising a feeding   based on return   of appetite in golden mahseer (Tor putitora) larvae/juvenile (AQ16e)Co-PI 2017 – 2020

11. Performance of chocolate mahseer (N. hexagonolepis) in fresh water aquaculture system in Kumaon Himalaya (AQ-3) Co-PI 2011 – 2015

Externally Funded Projects

12. Eco hydrology and vulnerability assessment in groundwater-fed and snow and glacial-fed river systems of Western and Eastern Himalaya under the warming climate (NMHS 2024-25/SC-XIII/MG/SL-05) PI 2025-2028

13. Immunomodulation in golden mahseer (Tor putitora) broodstock in captive conditions  (BT/PR26920/AAQ/3/884/2017) PI 2018-2021

14. Nutrient profiling and evaluation of fish as a dietary component (Outreach activity-3 for 12th plan) Co-PI 2010-2018

15. Outreach activity – Fish feeds Co-PI 2010-2018

16. Development of climate resilient rainbow trout and innovative trout farming strategies to mitigate climatic stressors Co-PI 2017-2022

Important Research Papers

  1. Ciji, A., Akhtar, M.S., Kamalam, B.S., Rajesh, M. and Sharma, P., 2025. Tailored broodstock diet fortified with functional nutrients enhances reproductive efficiency and larval quality traits of Tor putitora, an endangered cyprinid. Animal Reproduction Science, 283: 108027.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.108027
  2. Ciji, A., Akhtar, M.S., Tripathi, P.H., Dubey, M.K., Sharma, P., 2024. Higher intake of β-glucan impairs reproduction in a female teleost, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 50: 589-603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-023-01292-4
  3. Akhtar, M. S., Tripathi, P. H., and Ciji A. 2022. Light spectra influence the reproductive performance and expression of immune and anti-oxidative defense genes in endangered golden mahseer (Tor putitora) female brooders. Aquaculture, 547: 737355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.73735
  4. Akhtar, M. S. Ciji, A. Tripathi, P. H. and Sharma, P. 2021. Dietary β-glucan influences the expression of testicular aquaporins, antioxidative defence genes and sperm quality traits in endangered golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 193(Pt B):1286-1293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.177
  5. Akhtar, M. S., Tripathi, P. H., Rajesh, M., Pandey, A., Kamalam, B. S and Ciji A. 2021. Molecular characterization of non-specific immune genes of endangered golden mahseer (Tor putitora) and their expression during embryonic and larval development. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 118:119-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2021.07.016.
  6. Akhtar, M. S., Tripathi, P. H., Pandey, A. and Ciji A. 2021. Transgenerational effects of β-glucan on thermal tolerance, growth performance, and immune gene expression of endangered cyprinid Tor putitora progeny. Journal of Thermal Biology, 102, 103120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103120
  7. Akhtar, M. S., Tripathi, P. H., Pandey, A. and Ciji A. 2021. β-glucan modulates non-specific immune gene expression, thermal tolerance and elicits disease resistance in endangered Tor putitora fry challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 119: 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2021.09.038
  8. Akhtar M.S., Manchi R., Kamalam B.S., Ciji. A. 2020. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on indicators of immunity and wellbeing of endangered golden mahseer (Tor putitora) broodstock. Journal of Thermal Biology,. 93: 102694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102694
  9. Akhtar, M. S. and Ciji, A. 2021. Pyridoxine and its biological functions in fish: Current knowledge and perspectives in aquaculture. Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture, 29(2):260-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2020.1813081
  10. Ciji, A. and *Akhtar, M. S. 2021. Stress management in aquaculture: a review of dietary interventions. Reviews in Aquaculture, 13(4):2190-2247. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12565
  11. Akhtar, M.S., Rajesh, M., Ciji, A., Sharma, P., Kamalam, B.S., Patiyal, R.S., Singh, A.K., Sarma, D., 2018. Photo-thermal manipulations induce captive maturation and spawning in endangered golden mahseer (Tor putitora): A silver-lining in the strangled conservation efforts of decades. Aquaculture 497, 336–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.08.00
  12. Ciji, A. and *Akhtar, M. S. 2020. Nitrite implications and its management in aquaculture: a review. Reviews in Aquaculture, 12(2):878-908. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12354
    Other information:-As on November 2025:
    Total citations: 4020
    h-index: 32
    i10 index: 65
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