Prof. Padan Kumar Jena has more than three decades of teaching and administrative experience. He superannuated as ‘Professor of Botany’ in February 2010. His area of interest include asymbiotic nitrogen fixation in soil, plant extract- microbe interaction, and studies on soil and phyllosphere microflora. He has published more than 50 research papers including popular articles. He has guided four Ph.D. students and 30 M.Phil. students. Six students are continuing research for Ph.D. degree under his guidance. He has coauthored 4 different books, two of which are published by Bureau of Text Book Preparation and Production, Odisha and Board of Secondary Education, Odisha. Apart from teaching and research, he served in different administrative positions such as Registrar (2013-2015); Coordinator, RUSA (2012-2020); Head, Department of Botany (2014-2016); and Dean, School of Life Sciences, Ravenshaw University,  during his illustrative career. He also acted as Member of Academic Council and Member of Executive Council of the University. He is the life member of several scientific and academic societies including Indian Science Congress, Indian Phytopathological Society, Indian Microbiological Society, and Odisha Botanical Society. He is the Vice President of P. Parija Memorial Committee. Prof. Jena is currently serving as a visiting faculty in the Department of Botany.