Dr Shikha Mahajan started her career as an Assistant Professor (Home Science) at KVK Langroya in Feb, 2017 and joined the department as Assistant Professor (Food and Nutrition) in June, 2023. She helped establish one Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) and seven Self-Help Groups focused on food preservation, processing, cleaning-agent production, and garment enhancement as well. Additionally, she conducted on-farm trials and completed nine single-visit surveys focused on nutritional intake and food consumption patterns. She also authored several research articles, extension publications, book chapters, and conference papers as well. Her research area includes on novel food development for income generation and self- employment among the community. She is currently guiding the UG and PG students of department as a major advisor.

Professional accomplishment 

Selected Publications

1. Arora S, Chaudhary G, Yadav U, Singh T P and Bathla S (2021) Evaluation of physio-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of sweetened stirred plum (Prunes domestica) yogurt during storage. Ind J Dairy Sci, 74(4): 294-300.
2. Joshi S, Bathla S, Singh A, Sharma M, Inbaraj S B and Sridhar K (2023) Development of mung bean (Vigna radiate L.)-based next-generation vegan milk: Processing, nutritional composition and quality attributes. Int J Fd Sci Tech, 58 (2): 785-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.16233.
3. Kumari S, Sharma S, Grover K, Dhatt A S, Mahajan S, Sharma S, Dharni K and Kumar V (2024) Hull-less pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo var. styriaca) enriched functional pasta: Techno functional, phytochemical, sensory, textural and structural characterization. Annals of Phytomedicine.13:1-13.
4. Patil M, Sharma S, Sridhar K, Anurag R K, Grover K, Dharni K, Mahajan S, and Sharma M (2024) Effect of postharvest treatments and storage temperature on the physiological, nutritional, and shelf-life of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) microgreens. Scientia Horticulturae. 327.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112805.
5. Nath P C, Sharma R, Mahapatra U, Mohanta Y K, Rustagi S, Sharma M and Mahajan S (2024) Sustainable production of cellulosic biopolymers for enhanced smart food packaging: An up-to-date review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 273(2):133090.

Projects accomplished

• ICAR funded Microbial based Waste Management Using Vermicomposting under Swachta Action Plan (SAP).
• ICAR funded Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ Management of Crop Residues (CRM)

Project on-going 

• Impact of screen timing on nutritional status and psychological distress among school children: a digital detox model (Co-PI) sponsored by ICSSR, New Delhi.

Awards/Honors/Distinctions:

• Holder of University merit scholarship during Graduation and Post Graduation.
• 37th rank in AIEEE, JRF (ICAR) in 2010.
• Awarded the Best Poster presentation award on Mitigation of Malnutrition Through Incorporation Of Microalgae In Functional Food Products in ICSSR Sponsored National Seminar on “Vision Viksit Bharat@2047: Fostering Inclusive Societal Development through Health and Wellness for All” on 29th January,2025.(PP-NI-03)pp-58.