Profile

Dr. Giby Kuriakose is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany, Sacred Heart College, Thevara since 2012. His expertise is largely in Ecology,  Plant Reproductive Ecology, Vegetation Characterization, and Conservation Biology. He did his doctoral studies in “Floristic diversity, Species composition and Community structure across altitude in Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka”, under the guidance of Dr S. Rathinavel (Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai). He worked as Project Assistant in CES, IISc, Bangalore with Dr Rohini Balakrishnan during 2002 to 2006. He did his post doc in ATREE, Bangalore with Prof. Dr. K. R. Shivanna. More than 21 years of research work spans across floristics to ecological studies and ethno-botanical explorations to plant reproductive biology.  He has presented five papers in both national and international conferences and has published about 14 research papers in peer reviewed international journals. He has written a book on “Vismruthamavunna vrikshangal” (Forgotten Trees) published by the State Institute of Languages, Kerala (Kerala Bhasha Institute).

He has delivered more than 50 invited talks on different themes including Biodiversity, Plant reproductive biology (Pollination), Wild Orchid diversity and conservation, Orchid pollination, Plant animal interactions, Ecology, Taxonomy, Research methodology, Presentation Skills, Treasures among living organisms, Ecotourism, Mangroves, Wetlands, etc. 

He is hailing from a remote village in Kerala near Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Thattakad. He proved his talent in photography as well. Wild flowers, birds, butterflies, other insects etc. are the major focus for photography. He was involved in various environment education programmes such as HSBC Climate Partnership Programme funded through Earth Watch Institute, Department of Biotechnology’s Nature awareness (DNA) programs, SEED programme of NCBS and Mathrubhumi (Malayalam daily), etc. He got awarded the Young Scientist Program (Fast Track) by Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for pursuing his Post-Doctoral studies on orchid communities in the Western Ghats. He is a life member of Indian Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy. He has published a documentary on the conservation of Orchids in Waynad.

He is a recognized research guide in Botany by Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala and a guide for the Indian National Academy Summer Research Fellowship program (FL2463). 

He is a life member in Indian Science Congress, Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT) and Ernakulam District Agri-Horticultural Society.

Consultancy Offered: Biodiversity Documentation, Plant identification, Vegetation Analysis, Pollination Biology,  Wild Orchids.