Dr. Janmejay Parhi is working as an Assistant Professor, Fish Genetics and Reproduction Department, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra under Central Agricultural University, Imphal since January 25, 2010.  His research interests lie in Fish Genomics, Transcriptomics and Fish Reproductive Physiology and Fish Genetic Diversity of NE region.

Born in Balasore, Odisha, he did his schooling in Balasore. He completed his Bachelor in Fisheries Science from OUAT, Bhubaneswar in 2002. He pursued both PG and Ph.D. at the premier Institute of Fisheries, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai in the field of Fish Biotechnology. He is a recipient of Gold Medal for academic excellence in his PG studies. He completed an international training at IRTA, Barcelona, Spain under the DBT Overseas Associateship for a period of six months in the field of Aquaporin physiology and one-month Faculty Foreign Training under IDP NAHEP at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand in RNAseq data analysis.

Dr. Parhi has been actively involved in several research projects, student research and has made significant contributions to the field. He has been associated with ten (10) different externally funded research-extension projects (as PI/ Coordinator/ Co-PI) amounting approximately to Rs. 20.00 Crores. He has 58 peer reviewed research papers, 5 books, 15 book chapters to his credit. He presented his work in many national and international platforms and has earned accolades for his work in terms of seven awards in oral presentations. Dr. Parhi’s expertise also extends to preparation of training manuals, showcasing his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and education in the domain of Fish Biotechnology. He has been conferred with several awards and recognitions, including Hiralal Choudhury Young Scientist award (2013) and Dr. C.V. Kulkarni Best Young Scientist Award (2018), both by ICAR-CIFE, Dr S. Ayyapan Gold Medal (2020) by ICAR-CIFRI, CFSI Gold Medal (2022) by Coldwater Fisheries Society of India, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, Harit Kranti award (2021) by All India Agricultural Students’ Association, New Delhi, Prof. Harswarup Gold Medal (2021) by Zoological Society of India, Gaya and Best Extension Professional Award (2023) by CAU. Imphal.

The research publications by Dr. Parhi encompass a wide array of technologies and advancements in the field of Fish Biotechnology and related areas. Some of the key technological contributions include:

1. Development of photoperiod manipulation techniques for successful captive spawning of fish during non-spawning seasons.
2. Exploration of CRISPR/Cas genome editing potential in fisheries for future advancements.
3. Molecular characterization and structural dynamics studies of Aquaporin1 for understanding membrane transport in fish.
4. Genetic and demographic studies using DNA barcoding and phylogenetics in freshwater fish fauna. His team has collected and identified 304 fish species from the whole NE and barcoded 184 species.
5. Identified two new fish species such as Mystus prabini and Garra dhanzei through morphometry as well as molecular tools.
6. Study of length-weight relationships and morphological divergence in indigenous fish species.
7. Development of pharmaceutical diets and immunostimulant-induced gene expression analysis for improving disease resistance in fish.
8. Utilization of plant extracts to enhance immune-biochemical responses and survivability against bacterial infections in fish.
9. Investigation of changes in bacterial composition during salt fermentation of fish.
10. Assessment of cryoprotective effects of antifreeze proteins on fish processed products.

As a teacher, he has showed keen interest in teaching, motivating and guiding students which is reflected in their JRF & SRF performance over the years (All India Toppers in 2013, 2016, and 2019 in Fisheries Science conducted by ICAR). He has guided 15 M. F. Sc students and presently guiding two PhD students.