Dr. P Lakshmi Soujanya | Agricultural Entomology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Soujanya holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), where she completed her research on the effects of Bt toxins on major pests, earning a high OGPA of 9.14/10.00. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained her M.Sc. (Ag) from the same university, specializing in the management of Plutella xylostella, a major pest in cabbage. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences from ANGRAU, achieving a solid foundation in agricultural practices with an OGPA of 8.06/10.00. Throughout her education, she was awarded multiple merit scholarships, reflecting her academic excellence.

Dr. Soujanya’s professional experience spans across several prestigious ICAR institutions. She has been serving as a Senior Scientist at the Winter Nursery Centre, ICAR-IIMR, since 2018. Previously, she held positions as Scientist and Scientist (Sr. Scale) at the same institution from 2010 to 2018. Her early career includes roles as Scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, and the Cashew Research Station under Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University. Dr. Soujanya has gained valuable experience in both regional and national agricultural research centers, contributing to research projects on maize, pulses, and cashew crops.

Dr. Soujanya’s primary research interests lie in integrated pest management (IPM), with a particular focus on the use of biological control agents, Bt crops, and eco-friendly practices to reduce pesticide dependency. Her work has significantly contributed to the understanding of pest dynamics and the development of sustainable solutions for managing pest populations in important agricultural crops like maize, cabbage, and pulses.