Dr. Divya Mehta | Ecology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Divya is a dynamic forestry researcher whose work bridges forest genetics, environmental management, and socio-ecological sustainability. Her doctoral research focused on the genetic improvement of Punica granatum (wild pomegranate), emphasizing reproductive biology, breeding design evaluation, and molecular characterization to enhance genetic diversity and productivity. Her master’s work on identifying forest fire risk factors in Himachal Pradesh integrated bio-physical and socio-economic analyses to develop preventive strategies for fire-prone landscapes. With a strong background in forestry and environmental sciences, she has contributed significantly to projects on climate change vulnerability, agroforestry resilience, ecosystem service valuation, and forest resource management across diverse ecosystems. Currently engaged in postdoctoral research at ESALQ-USP, Brazil, she investigates ecological assessments of vegetation zones to understand plant functional traits, carbon stocks, and biodiversity dynamics in island ecosystems. Dr. Divya’s scholarly contributions extend beyond research to academic service as co-editor of a special issue on sustainable socio-ecological systems and reviewer for leading international journals in ecology, sustainability, and forest science. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing forest conservation, genetic improvement, and ecosystem-based approaches for climate resilience and sustainable development.