Profile Details

Dr. Poonam ( Pujar ) is an Assistant Professor (Fingerprint/Question document) at School of Forensic Science NFSU, Gandhinagar, a former Scientific Officer (Qualified Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission in Forensic Chemistry) and brings nearly six years of multidisciplinary professional and research experience spanning Military Physiology, High-altitude Medicine, Biochemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Excise, Toxicology, Anti-corruption bureau (ACB) investigations, and Crime-scene investigations. She holds a Ph.D. in Life Sciences, completed through the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, by Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu. Her academic foundation includes a M.Sc. in Forensic Science, and specialised training in biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology and scientific instrumentation.

Her professional journey combines rigorous forensic laboratory practice with advanced Defence-oriented research in military physiology. Her research experience at the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, contributed to military physiology research focused on human adaptation and performance under extreme environmental conditions. Her work involved human and animal hypoxic exposure studies, high-altitude physiology, pulmonary-function testing, blood-gas analysis, exhaled nitric oxide assessment, ECG interpretation, hypoxic ventilator response, physiological, biochemical and psychological assessment, and data interpretation. Her research contributions have been published in respected scientific journals, including Nature Scientific Reports, Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, and Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.

Before joining NFSU, she served as a Scientific Officer (Chemistry) at the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. In this role, she handled scientific examination and reporting of cases related to narcotics, toxicology, anti-corruption matters, excise, snake venom, and other forensic chemistry exhibits. She has also contributed to crime-scene investigation in cases involving homicide, hanging, drowning, sexual assault, arson, and firearm-related incidents. Her technical proficiency includes the operation and application of GC–MS, GC–FID, Headspace analysis, LC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, TLC, AAS, UV spectroscopy, and Mass spectrometry. In addition to teaching and research, she has undertaken important academic and institutional responsibilities, Recruitment, Exam including laboratory management, NABL-accreditation documentation, and preparation of standard operating procedures, ethics-committee coordination, mentorship, continuing education programmes, and professional training for officers and police personnel. She is a UGC National Fellowship awardee (JRF), UGC-NET qualified for lectureship, and a life time member of the Indian Science Congress Association in Medical Science and Physiology.

Dr. Pujar’s achievements also include the prestigious President’s Award from Bharat Scouts and Guides, presented by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as well as the Governor’s Award from Bharat Scouts and Guides. She also holds a Certificate in French Language Level 1 from Inlingua Institute of Languages, Bangalore. Through her combined commitment to forensic service, scientific research, laboratory quality systems, and student mentorship, she continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of forensic science education and practice in India.