Dr. Pranay Bantawa is presently working as an Assistant Professor in the department of Botany, Kalimpong College, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India. In 2001, he obtained M.Sc. degree from the University of North Bengal and in 2010 he obtained Ph.D. degree from the University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India, in Botany. Dr. Bantawa was a Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Biotechnology; Govt. of India sponsored Research Project at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal from 2005 to 2007. Later, he worked as a Senior Research Fellow from 2007-2008, on the same project. He also worked as a Research Associate on a Tea Board of India sponsored project at the same institution from 2009-2010. He has over 11 years of teaching experience at various Colleges and has over 18 years of research experience. His major research interest includes conservation of rare medicinal plants using biotechnological tools. Till date, he has published over 35 research papers in different national and international journals of repute and also has five book chapters in his credit. During his extensive research work from 2005 till date, he has registered two varieties of medicinal plants at NBPGR, Delhi, India. He has been serving voluntarily as one of the Editors of “Himalayan Research Journal” and also of “Esmeralda”.