Dr. Himanshu Rai is a Botanist, recognized in the field of Lichenized fungi. He is trained in the ecophysiology of lichens in the Himalayas and their role in ecosystem sustainability of alpine habitats from Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. He did his doctoral work on the role of terricolous lichens in the physical, biological, and chemical stability of soil crust in the temperate-alpine habitats of Himalaya from HNB Garhwal Central University, Srinagar. After his doctoral work, Dr. Rai was awarded the young scientist award by the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST). Dr. Rai successfully completed a UCOST funded project on the lichen-based biomonitoring for heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pollution in the Himalayas. The study for the first-time elucidated lichen biomonitors in the Himalayas. Dr. Rai has studied the elevational patterns of lichens in the Himalayas and published various internationally recognized publications with high citations worldwide. He has published several publications on various aspects of lichenology such as taxonomy, ecology, physiology, pollution biomonitoring, nanoparticles, and bioprospection. Dr. Rai has received many awards from various state governments and internationally recognized institutions. Dr. Rai is a regular reviewer of internationally recognized journals of Springer, Elsevier, Francis & Taylor, and Wiley. Dr. Rai's research interest has been studying the patterns of lichen biodiversity of the Indian subcontinent along, the natural and anthropological variables. Dr. Rai had worked on Indian and Nepalese lichens and is currently involved in collaborative studies with Asian, European, and American lichenologists.