Assistant professor, College of veterinary and animal sciences parbhani, India
Dr. Alok Khemraj Wankar is a dedicated veterinary physiologist with over 15 years of academic and research experience in veterinary science. Currently serving as Assistant Professor at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Parbhani, Maharashtra, he specializes in heat stress physiology, climate change adaptation, and sustainable livestock production. With a PhD from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and advanced degrees from MAFSU, Dr. Wankar has contributed significantly to understanding thermoregulation and metabolic responses in animals. His research, widely published and cited, has influenced policy and practice in animal husbandry under thermal stress. An accomplished scholar, he holds multiple fellowships, national awards, and is actively involved in mentoring postgraduate students and leading funded projects. Dr. Wankar is recognized not only for his academic excellence but also for his commitment to advancing animal welfare in the face of global climate challenges.
Profile
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🎓 Education
Dr. Alok Wankar holds a PhD in Veterinary Physiology from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (2009–2012), where he studied physio-biochemical responses and gas emissions in buffaloes under thermal stress. Prior to this, he completed his Master of Veterinary Science (MVSc) from Nagpur Veterinary College, MAFSU, focusing on the impact of Neem leaf powder on broiler health and growth. His foundational veterinary training, the BVSc & AH (2001–2006), was also obtained from Nagpur Veterinary College. He recently acquired a Diploma in Veterinary Medicine from Alison Online (2024), enhancing his clinical and global perspective. Throughout his educational journey, Dr. Wankar emphasized interdisciplinary knowledge, including minors in nutrition, reproduction, livestock production, and pathology. This academic background has laid a strong foundation for his later work in heat stress physiology and sustainable animal farming. His education is both deep and broad, spanning traditional veterinary science and emerging climate-focused applications.
🧑🏫 Experience
Dr. Alok Wankar currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Parbhani, since July 2015. Here, he teaches and mentors students while leading vital research projects in veterinary physiology. Before this, he worked briefly at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hyderabad (May–July 2015), and from 2012–2014, held a faculty position at Khalsa College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Amritsar. His professional journey spans more than a decade of hands-on teaching, research, and curriculum development. Dr. Wankar is also a recognized Postgraduate Guide under MAFSU and has mentored several successful student theses. In all his roles, he has shown a consistent commitment to both academic excellence and practical applications, particularly in climate-related animal physiology. His professional network includes memberships in several national and international scientific societies, strengthening his collaborative impact across veterinary and environmental sciences.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Alok Wankar has been honored with multiple prestigious awards recognizing his academic and research excellence. Most recently, he received the Best Researcher Award from the DK International Research Foundation (2024) and the National Research Excellence Award from the Novel Research Academy (2023–24). His significant contributions to veterinary physiology have earned him Fellowships from the Scholars Academy & Scientific Society, Bose Science Society, and ISROSET. He also received the ICAR-IVRI Doctoral Fellowship (2009–2012), a highly competitive national recognition. As a Recognized PG Guide at MAFSU, he has helped shape the next generation of veterinary researchers. His work has been acknowledged by peers and institutions alike for its real-world impact, particularly in areas like heat stress physiology and sustainable animal farming. These accolades reflect his scholarly depth, leadership in research, and enduring commitment to the betterment of animal welfare through scientific innovation.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Alok Wankar’s research is centered on heat stress physiology, climate change, and animal adaptation, with an emphasis on sustainable food production and endocrine responses in livestock. His pioneering work explores how animals adapt to extreme environmental conditions, particularly focusing on physiological, biochemical, and metabolic markers. His studies in methane emission and nutrient digestibility under thermal stress contribute to global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. With over 15 publications in peer-reviewed journals—some highly cited—Dr. Wankar has shaped the conversation around animal resilience in the face of climate volatility. He integrates environmental indices like the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) into his models, offering holistic insights into livestock health. His interdisciplinary approach combines traditional veterinary science with emerging themes in sustainability and climate resilience, making his work essential for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners looking to build climate-smart agricultural systems.
📘Publication Top Notes
1. Heat stress in dairy animals and current milk production trends, economics, and future perspectives: the global scenario
Authors: AK Wankar, SN Rindhe, NS Doijad
Journal: Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2021, Vol 53(1), Article 70
Cited by: 80
Summary:
This paper presents a comprehensive review of how heat stress negatively affects dairy animals’ physiology, milk production, and economics. The authors analyze current trends in global milk yield, climate-induced production losses, and forecast long-term impacts. It provides future directions for mitigating heat stress through genetic, environmental, and nutritional interventions, making it a cornerstone publication in climate adaptation for livestock systems.
2. Effect of simulated heat stress on digestibility, methane emission and metabolic adaptability in crossbred cattle
Authors: B Yadav, G Singh, A Wankar, et al.
Journal: Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2016, Vol 29(11), pp. 1585
Cited by: 70
Summary:
This experimental study evaluates how simulated heat stress influences nutrient digestibility and methane emissions in crossbred cattle. It provides a critical link between environmental stress and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting sustainable livestock strategies by highlighting the role of thermal management in reducing methane output.
3. Thermoregulatory and adaptive responses of adult buffaloes during hyperthermia
Authors: AK Wankar, G Singh, B Yadav
Journal: Veterinary World, 2014, Vol 7(10), pp. 825–830
Cited by: 69
Summary:
This study explores how buffaloes regulate body temperature and adapt metabolically and behaviorally under hyperthermic conditions. It’s significant for understanding breed-specific heat adaptation, especially in tropical climates, with direct implications for animal welfare and productivity under rising temperatures.
4. Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder supplementation on growth in broilers
Authors: A Wankar, RN Shirbhate, KB Bahiram, SA Dhenge, RA Jasutkar
Journal: Veterinary World, 2009, Vol 2(10)
Cited by: 51
Summary:
This research investigates the use of neem leaf powder as a natural feed supplement in broiler chickens. The findings show positive effects on growth performance, positioning neem as a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic additives in poultry nutrition.
5. The use of infrared skin temperature measurements for monitoring heat stress in cattle
Authors: B Yadav, G Singh, A Wankar
Journal: Indian Journal of Dairy Science, 2017, Vol 70(1), pp. 1–5
Cited by: 39
Summary:
This paper evaluates infrared thermography as a non-invasive technique to assess heat stress in cattle. It’s an important contribution toward developing precision livestock monitoring tools, improving early detection and stress management protocols in dairy operations.
6. Adaptive capability indicated by redox status and endocrine responses in heat-stressed crossbred cattle
Authors: B Yadav, G Singh, A Wankar
Journal: Journal of Animal Research, 2015, Vol 5(1), pp. 67–73
Cited by: 35
Summary:
This study correlates oxidative stress biomarkers and hormone profiles with adaptive responses in heat-stressed cattle. The research provides deeper insights into physiological resilience mechanisms and supports breeding and nutrition strategies for heat-tolerant livestock.
7. Acclimatization dynamics to extreme heat stress in crossbred cattle
Authors: B Yadav, G Singh, A Wankar
Journal: Biological Rhythm Research, 2021, Vol 52(4), pp. 524–534
Cited by: 26
Summary:
This paper studies how crossbred cattle gradually adapt to prolonged heat exposure. It highlights the critical transition phases in physiological acclimatization, offering practical implications for livestock management in hot climates.
8. Effect of temperature x THI on acclimatization in buffaloes under heat stress
Authors: AK Wankar, G Singh, B Yadav
Journal: Biological Rhythm Research, 2021, Vol 52(10), pp. 1589–1603
Cited by: 17
Summary:
This work examines the combined effect of ambient temperature and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on acclimatization responses in buffaloes. It reveals complex interactions influencing heat resilience, useful in region-specific livestock planning.
9. Biochemical profile and methane emission during controlled thermal stress in buffaloes
Authors: AK Wankar, G Singh, B Yadav
Journal: Buffalo Bulletin, 2017, Vol 36(1), pp. 35–42
Cited by: 16
Summary:
This research provides valuable data on how thermal stress alters biochemical markers and methane output in buffaloes. The findings underscore the potential of physiological monitoring in optimizing emission control.
10. Haematobiochemical profile of broilers supplemented with Ashwagandha and Bhuineem
Authors: SA Dhenge, RN Shirbhate, KB Bahiram, AK Wankar, et al.
Journal: Indian Journal of Field Veterinarians, 2009, Vol 5(1), pp. 5–8
Cited by: 9
Summary:
This study explores herbal supplementation in broilers and its effect on blood parameters. It adds to the body of research supporting natural alternatives in poultry healthcare.
🧾 Conclusion
Dr. Alok Khemraj Wankar is an exceptionally qualified academic and researcher with a deep-rooted expertise in veterinary physiology, particularly in the domain of animal adaptation to environmental stressors, which is highly relevant in today’s climate-centric research paradigm. With strong publication metrics, consistent research leadership, recognized national awards, and active academic involvement, he is highly deserving of the “Best Academic Researcher Award”. His work contributes not only to veterinary sciences but also to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and livestock resilience under climate stress.