I am a plant ecologist specializing in invasive alien plant species and the phylogeography of mangroves. I work in countries in the Global South, and my research aims to offer practical and straightforward management strategies for invasive species, as well as conservation insights for endangered mangrove species.
Research areas
Biological invasion
Biological invasions are considered to be one of the major threats to biodiversity. I want to understand the dynamics of the invasion process, starting from the introduction of an organism into a new environment to its ability to cross different barriers to become an invasive species.
Plant ecology
- Characterizing variations in plant traits (above and belowground, vegetative and reproductive) in the invasive alien plant species
- Explaining the variation based on biotic (community composition) and abiotic (soil characteristics) components of the ecosystem
Spatial ecology
- Mapping species’ distribution using geospatial technologies
- Predicting species’ distribution in past, present, and future climate conditions based on species distribution modeling algorithms
Data science
- Curating information on variables related to ecology, biogeography, introduction pathway, socio-economy, and distribution of the invasive alien species in India.
Phylogeography
Phylogeography, the study of the genetic and geographic structure of populations and species, formed the core of my postdoc research. I used the knowledge to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the mangroves as well as for the invasive alien plant species.
Invasive species
- Assessing genetic diversity and population structure, and spatial pattern of genetic variation in Mikania micrantha across its invasive range
Mangroves
- Assessing the geographic distribution of genetic variation of the mangroves in the Indo-West Pacific region and identifying the phylogeographic factors influencing their present-day distribution
Explore further
My doctoral and postdoctoral work traced the invasion story of Mikania micrantha — from its introduction to its spread across South and Southeast Asia. Combining fieldwork, genetics, and niche modelling, this research also grew to include the phylogeography of mangroves across the Indo-West Pacific.
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From building ILORA, India’s alien flora database, to studying the online trade of invasive plants, my ongoing and completed projects span data curation, policy, and species distribution modelling. This page also lists the research grants that have supported this work.
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My research has been shaped by collaborators across India and China, and by a growing group of students and research associates who bring their own questions to invasion ecology. Here you’ll find who I work with, and who I’ve had the privilege of mentoring.