Vertika Shukla holds an MSc in Organic Chemistry and PhD (2003) in Chemistry from H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal). Presently, she is teaching as an Assistant Professor of Integrated Applied Geology at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow.  During her 17 years of research experience, she has been awarded 3 fellowships by the DST, New Delhi; two projects were pursued at the NBRI-CSIR and one at BBA (Central) University, Lucknow. To date, she has published 63 scientific articles in prominent national and international journals, has authored one book (‘Lichens to Biomonitor the Environment’ (Springer)) and coedited the books ‘Recent Advances in Lichenology (Springer) and ‘Plant Adaptation Strategies in Changing Environment’ (Springer Nature). Her areas of interest include secondary metabolite chemistry, interactions between lichen and the environment, and the roleof lichen in the bioremediation of atmospheric fallouts. Narendra Kumar has obtained his MSc and PhD in Environmental Science from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, India. An active researcher with 16 years of graduate teaching and research experience, Dr Kumar began his academic career as a project fellow at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI-CSIR), Lucknow, India. In 2002, he joined the Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, CSJM University, Kanpur, India as a Lecturer.  Dr Kumar has been working as an Assistant Professor at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow since 2005. He has published more than 30 research papers and 10 book chapters with reputed national and international publishers.