Meet the Team
Dr. Namrata Misra
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Namrata Misra
Dr. Namrata Misra is a dynamic leader with a decade of experience contributing to the innovation and startup ecosystem. She holds a Master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University and a Ph.D. in Life Science from the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, ACSIR (CSIR-IMMT), GoI. Currently, she is CEO of BCKIC Foundation and an advisor at KIIT-TBI.As one of the founding members of KIIT Technology Business Incubator (TBI), she has played a pivotal role in its growth journey. Currently, she is an advisor at KIIT-TBI.
During her tenure, as a Head of Technology Incubation Dr. Misra oversaw tech-driven startup incubation operations, managing numerous programs and ensuring the successful development of technologies from concept to commercialization. She was responsible for incubation policy formulation, securing government and private funding, and ensuring compliance with state and central ministries. Dr. Misra has actively collaborated with R&D institutes, universities, and colleges in Odisha to cultivate an authentic innovation culture and mentor nascent incubation managers.
Mr. Shishir Sahoo
Adviser - Stakeholder Engagement
Mr. Shishir Sahoo
Shishir Sahoo is a seasoned development professional with over 36 years of rich experience in various fields, including visioning, institution building, capacity enhancement of human resources, team development, sustainability planning, and conflict management. He is also skilled in development communications, mainstreaming gender equity, rural development, good governance, volunteerism, and human rights advocacy. Shishir founded YES We Can, a consulting institution that empowers and engages with educational institutions, civil society, corporate, and government entities to drive positive change. He is known for his strong presence in advocacy campaigns and movements in Odisha, leading to important policy changes in education, youth, handicrafts, handloom, media, and civil society sectors.
Currently, he serves as the Adviser for Stakeholder Engagement at BCKIC (Bhubaneswar City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster), an initiative of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. In this role, he engages with stakeholders from government, corporate, and civil society to drive collaboration and innovation.
Dr. Smruti Mohanty
Lead - Technology Partnership
Dr. Smruti Ranjan Mohanty
Dr. Smruti Ranjan Mohanty is a distinguished professional with a Ph.D. in Polymer Technology. He brings expertise in thermoplastics composites and nanotechnology, acquired through several years of industry experience in renowned MNCs. As the Lead for the Technology Partnership, Dr. Mohanty plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and innovation in the science and technology cluster.
Dr. Mohanty previously worked as Assistant Manager at SRF Ltd., focusing on new application development in the field of polymer technology. His accolades include the prestigious 10th National Award for Technology Innovation and the Excellent New Staff of the Year recognition.
Mr. Sudhir Jha
Manager, Technology Innovation & Management
Sudhir Kumar Jha
Sudhir Kumar Jha is a Strategic Marketing Professional with over 16 years of experience in the fields of Pharma, FMCG, and Waste Recycling. He currently serves as the Manager of Technology Innovation and Management at BCKIC Foundation, where he leads various social livelihood and sustainability projects.
He graduated from the Berlin School of Economics, bringing a global perspective to his work. In the past, he has worked with reputed organizations such as ITC, Bayer, and Exodon LLC, honing his skills in strategic marketing and project management.
Dr. Aanchal Katoch
Scientific Communication Manager
Dr. Aanchal Katoch
Dr. Aanchal Katoch is the Scientific Communication Manager at BCKIC Foundation. She completed her Postdoctoral experience at Yale School of Medicine, USA. She holds a PhD in cancer biology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. With over 10 years of research and writing experience in gene regulation, drug discovery, cancer therapeutics, and molecular and cell biology, Dr. Katoch has led projects securing grant funding and fostering collaborations with international partners. She is skilled in managing and mentoring graduate researchers in cell biology and oncology.
In her current role, Dr. Katoch ensures effective and regular communication of BCKIC’s activities and initiatives, develops new partnerships with stakeholders, delivers leadership talks, organizes seminars and workshops, and manages the online presence of BCKIC Foundation in different social media handles.
Mr. Arpan Ghosh
Manager - Technology Deployment & Startup Relations
Mr. Arpan Ghosh
Arpan Ghosh is a dedicated professional with a background in biotechnology research and innovation management. He currently serves as the Manager of Technology Deployment & Startup Relations at BCKIC Foundation, where he works passionately at the intersection of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship to promote the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in India, with a special focus on the east and northeast regions of the country.
Arpan has been working in the innovation ecosystem for the last 5 years and previously worked with KIIT Technology Business Incubator (TBI), where he played a significant role in the strategic implementation of various government funding schemes for startups. His efforts have led to the nurturing of over 100 technology-based startups. He is currently on a mission to identify technology-driven innovations and deploy them in the field to address regional and global challenges.
Mrs. Smrita Pathak
Assistant Manager - Intellectual Property
Mrs. Smrita Pathak
Smrita Pathak is an experienced Assistant Manager specializing in Intellectual Property (IP) management. With a strong background in patent prosecution, technology assessment, and innovation facilitation, she is skilled in conducting searches, preparing reports, and facilitating patent processes.
Smrita has a proven ability to manage patent prosecution processes efficiently, ensuring the protection of intellectual property assets. She excels in assessing new technologies and their potential for commercialization, providing valuable insights for decision-making. Smrita excels at fostering innovation by connecting with academia, startups, and industries, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange, and managing IP portfolios.
Program Associate
Ms. Jyotirmayee Dey
Ms. Jyotirmayee Dey
Ms. Jyotirmayee Dey is the Program Associate at the BCKIC Foundation. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from KIIT University where her research work focuses on vaccinology and drug discovery. She brings valuable experience from her previous work on UKRI and DBT-funded projects. With a strong background in bioinformatics, academic writing, and project coordination, Ms. Dey has authored over 20 peer-reviewed international journal publications. She has received the prestigious “Global Young Women Scientist Award – 2024” from the Agricultural Technology Development Society for outstanding contribution to the sector of Biotechnology.
In her current role, Ms. Dey manages the implementation of BCKIC’s public outreach and community engagement programs, develops accessible content like presentations and articles, oversees documentation, and contributes to BCKIC’s impact through content creation.