Dr Lalita Ledwani joined Manipal University Jaipur on September 01, 2011, as an Associate Professor and the Founder Head, Chemistry Department. She got promoted as a professor in July 2014. In the last 10 years of her association with MUJ, Dr. Ledwani has served the university in various capacities. Some of her key administrative assignments in the university are Director, SBS (2018-2021), Controller of Examinations (2016-2018), Library Advisor (2015-2017), Head of the Department (2011-2014), Presiding Officer, Internal Committee (2011-2013; 2019-till date) and Coordinator, R&D division (2011-2012). Dr Ledwani has played a significant role in the development of chemistry laboratories, material science laboratory, central analytical laboratory at Manipal University Jaipur. While heading the research and development division, she first introduced the concepts of seed money projects, central instrumentation center and incubation cell in the year 2012 which got flourished subsequently in the university under the direction of the leadership.

With over 19 years of post-PhD experience in the higher education, Dr L Ledwani has been actively engaged in academic and research activities. She was instrumental in framing the curriculum of chemistry and environmental courses for different academic programs offered by the Faculty of Science. Dr Ledwani has been extensively carrying out research in surface modification of polymers, natural products, environmental and nano chemistry areas. She is recipient of Research Grant Award 2015 from KWEF, Japan and also received financial support for different research projects from external funding agencies namely DST, Govt of India (03); DST, Govt. of Rajasthan (02); DBT, Govt of India (01) and UGC, Govt. of India (01). Dr Ledwani has published around forty research papers in reputed peer reviewed journals, eleven book chapters and two patents; delivered around three dozen keynote/invited/expert lectures besides over fifty-five papers in conferences and edited two books: i) Nanotechnology for Energy and Environmental Engineering, Springer, 2020 ii) Research Methodology in Chemical Sciences Experimental and Theoretical Approach, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, 2016.

Dr Ledwani has guided 04 PhD scholars who are well placed as Assistant Professor, NFSU, Gandhinagar/DST WoS fellow, University of Rajasthan/Post doc fellow, IISc Bangalore and Bar-IIan University, Israel. Seven PhD students are currently working under her supervision.

Dr Ledwani has been associated with different organizations namely UPSC, New Delhi; IIT Madras; IPR Gandhinagar; NFSU, Gandhinagar; Central University of Rajasthan; University of Rajasthan; BARC, Mumbai and MBRU, Dubai etc., as member advisory board/examination panel/executive council or as a research collaborator.

Prior to joining MUJ, Dr Ledwani was working with Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, PDPU (Now Pandit Deendayal Energy University), Gandhinagar as a founding faculty in the university. At PDPU, she played role a key role in the development of an integrated science laboratory, chemistry laboratory and also served as the convener, women cell (2007-2011) and chief warden, girls’ hostel (2007-2011), member, editorial board, newsletter (2008-2011).

Dr Ledwani did MSc (Organic Chemistry) and PhD from Dr B R Ambedkar University (Formerly, Agra University), UP in the year 1999 and 2003, respectively. She also did MSc (Ecology & Environment/distance mode) from Sikkim Manipal University in the year 2007.

Dr Ledwani has been associated with various professional bodies as fellow/life member/member including Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and American Chemical Society.

Dr Ledwani has organized various academic events at MUJ in a lead role. Some of those key events are: RTRCS conference (2014), 3^rd Rajasthan Science Congress (2015), Science Camp (2015), DST Inspire Science Camps (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018), DAE- BRNS 5^th NWMC workshop (2019), CRMSC conference (2021) etc.

Dr Lalita can be contacted at lalita.ledwani@jaipur.manipal.edu Mobile: 7073650383 & Ext – 227