Research

I am a plant ecologist specialising 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.

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 alien plant 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

RESEARCH