He is Associate Professor and Head, Department of Botany, at Brahmanand College, CSJM University, Kanpur. He has 25 years of experience in teaching botany to undergraduate and postgraduate students. 
Dr Awasthi specializes in phycology and supervises students on various aspects of algae for their PhD degree. He has worked in various capacities, such as JRF, RA, and Principal Investigator in different research projects sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and University Grants Commission. He has attended many conferences and has published over 50 research papers in various reputed national and international journals. He is also associated with several national and international professional societies and has been awarded several honours of repute.