IQAC-NAAC 2023

Bio-waste Management:
The department’s bio-waste committee, plays a crucial role in overseeing the proper management and disposal of biomedical waste. Biomedical waste encompasses materials generated during healthcare activities and laboratory work that may pose a risk to public health or the environment if not handled correctly. This committee in collaboration with SMS Water Grace BMW Pvt. Ltd. is responsible for implementing procedures to ensure the safe collection, segregation, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste. They also monitor compliance with regulations and guidelines related to biomedical waste management. The biowaste is collected from different labs in the Department every alternate day and disposed off as per the rules. As a best practise, the waste is segregated into tissue waste (blood/tissue), biotechnology waste (agarose gels etc) and waste sharps (needles, syringes and lancets).

Research Innovations and Extension:
Collaborations between Department of Anthropology and Indian Establishments The Department of Anthropology has been actively engaged in fruitful collaborations with esteemed Indian establishments, such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Department of Science and Technology (DST). These collaborations have yielded significant advancements in various fields. Through its partnership with ICMR, the Department of Anthropology has contributed to vital research on public health, genetic studies, and epidemiology. The collaboration with AIIMS has facilitated the exploration of healthcare disparities, medical anthropology, and the impact of culture on health outcomes.
The collaboration with DBT has led to breakthroughs in the study of human evolution, genetics, and genomics. Moreover, through its partnership with DST, the Department has enhanced its research capabilities in areas like social anthropology and ethnography. These collaborations have not only broadened the horizons of the Department of Anthropology but have also contributed to the growth and development of the Indian scientific community. By pooling expertise and resources, these partnerships have fostered interdisciplinary research, improved public health policies, and enriched our understanding of human diversity and cultural dynamics. These collaborations between the Department of Anthropology and Indian establishments, including ICMR, AIIMS, DBT, DST, and others, have been instrumental in advancing knowledge, addressing critical societal issues, and promoting scientific excellence in the field of anthropology.

Institutional Values and Best Practices
Fieldwork: Doctoral fellows, project fellows and other research scholars are integral part of the Department of Anthropology. These dedicated scholars not only contribute significantly to the department's research initiatives but also benefit immensely from hands-on fieldwork experiences in different parts of India. They engage in rigorous data collection (both biological and social) in rural/urban areas, participant observation, and ethnographic studies, honing their research skills and deepening their understanding of anthropological concepts. The present department also allows them to contribute up-to two years to conduct a wide-ranging fieldwork, so every research scholar can collect inclusive, rich bio-social data from a participant after having consent.

GaRBH Cohort Project: GaRBH cohort is a longitudinal pregnancy and birth study of 1000 motheroffspring pairs in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. The cohort was established in 2017 with aim to study the metabolic changes in relation to weight gain during pregnancy and assessing its impact on foetal growth and overall health of the offspring. The baseline data on pregnant women was collected in first trimester and followed in second, third trimesters and at the time of delivery. At each follow-up, structured interview for collecting data related to demographic profile, socio-economic, health and nutritional status were conducted along with biological samples, anthropometric measurements of pregnant women and foetal growth parameters assessed through ultrasounds. We have developed India's most comprehensive bio-bank containing blood samples collected during each trimester along with cord blood, placenta, meconium, breast milk. Data on child health parameters were collected within 24 hours of birth.

ICT & Lab

THALASSEMIA: “A study on Thalassemia Awareness, Screening and Counselling among Young Adults of Delhi and NCR (India)” is a major research project which has been funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The project is a collaboration between University of Delhi, Amity University (Noida), All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and National Thalassemia Welfare Society.
The project is an initiative to create awareness for β-Thalassemia among young adults of Delhi and NCR region and conduct mass screening. It includes identification of β-thalassemia carriers and other hemoglobinopathies followed by molecular characterization of the mutations causing these hemoglobinopathies. To provide support and guidance, the project aims to offer genetic counselling sessions to individuals identified as carriers and their family members. These sessions will help them better understand the implications of thalassemia, make informed decisions regarding marriage partners and reproductive options, and maintain good health for carriers. Additionally, the project aims to document the distribution of thalassemia carriers within communities and regions, analyze variations in carrier prevalence, and identify specific mutations among them.