Satishkumar obtained his Master’s degree in Botany and a Ph.D in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the Gujarat University and SDAU, S. K. Nagar respectively. He has over 10 years of experience in research, education, and community-based conservation initiatives. His research work focuses on plant taxonomy, conservation genetics, bioprospecting of medicinal plants, and ethanobotany.

He is a Member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the IUCN Medicinal Plant Specialist Group, contributing to global efforts in protected area governance, biodiversity policy, and medicinal plant conservation.

Contact Email : dir-rd@aarnayakindia.org

Falguni holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad and has completed her Post-Doctoral Research at the Institute for Plasma Research. Her specialization is in green synthesis of nanoparticles and applies her expertise to environmentally sustainable solutions and biodiversity conservation through the lens of organic chemistry. Her research primarily focuses on green synthesis of nanoparticles, leveraging eco-friendly techniques to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable applications in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and healthcare. With a strong academic foundation and a commitment to sustainability, Dr. Falguni works on integrating modern organic chemistry approaches with ecological conservation practices, ensuring that scientific innovation contributes positively to nature and society.

Contact Email : ceo@aarnayakindia.org

Conservation Ecologist, Conservation Leadership Programme Awardee

He has a decade of wildlife conservation research experience, having served as the Head of the Conservation Department at the Bombay Natural History Society. His responsibilities included overseeing various conservation projects, managing departmental operations, and recruiting and fundraising through corporate social responsibility and international funding agencies. Additionally, he has held positions at prominent organisations such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, WTI, WWF-India, and the Zoological Survey of India, focusing on wildlife conservation. He was the Principal Investigator for a project on otter conservation through community participation in the River Moyar, Western Ghats, which culminated in his PhD. He has published 22 peer-reviewed scientific papers and written popular articles in both Tamil and English. His authored work includes a book titled "A Pictorial Guide to Guindy Children’s Park," along with numerous research reports. He has presented his research in four countries and received travel grants and conference fee waivers. Five Research Grants from various organisations have supported his research on otters. With strong leadership skills, he excels in writing papers and proposals, effectively managing projects, and adapting to diverse socio-cultural and economic contexts while employing an inclusive approach.

Chairman, Research Council, KSCSTE-Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, India Courtesy Professor, University of Florida, USA

Prof. B. Mohan Kumar is a distinguished scientist in agroforestry, agroecology, and forest ecology, with over four decades of experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership. He previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Arunachal University of Studies, and held key positions including Assistant Director General (Agronomy, Agroforestry & Climate Change) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Dean and Professor at Nalanda University and Kerala Agricultural University. A Ph.D. graduate from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, he has been a visiting professor at leading global universities in the USA, France, UK, Japan and Indonesia. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Research Council, Kerala Forest Research Institute, and Associate Editor of Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems and Agroforestry Systems. Prof. Kumar has published extensively, co-authored the acclaimed textbook An Introduction to Agroforestry (2nd Ed., Springer), and is ranked among the top 10 global scientists in agroforestry. A recipient of several national awards, including the Dr. K.G. Tejwani Award and Lifetime Achievement Award in Agroforestry, he is an Elected Fellow of multiple national academies and scientific societies.

Dr. Sivakumar Krishnan is an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in medicinal plant conservation, biodiversity monitoring, phytochemistry, and molecular biology. He has extensive experience in field ecology, plant pathology, natural product bioprospecting, and marine biotechnology, with research contributions across India and Ireland. Dr. Krishnan has collaborated with leading national and international institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, BARC, NIOT, and the National Medicinal Plants Board, on projects related to biopolymers, environmental sustainability, marine ecology, and the conservation of medicinal plants. His expertise encompasses proteomics, genetic engineering, deep-sea sampling, and ecological assessments. He is also actively involved in mentoring students, scientific publishing, and promoting sustainable laboratory and green chemistry practices.