Project Scientist at Anna University, India
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam M.Sc (Agri), Ph.D., is a passionate researcher and academic from Tamil Nadu, India . Currently serving as a Project Scientist at the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University, she is dedicated to addressing the impacts of climate variability and ecosystem vulnerability . With a strong academic background in sericulture, plant genetic evaluation, and climate-smart agriculture, she has actively contributed to sustainable forestry and ecological modeling. Her research focuses on forest ecosystems, species distribution modeling , and resilience strategies for climate change . Dr. Mithilasri has authored impactful publications in reputed journals, presented in international conferences, and trained forestry officials on climate adaptation. Recognized with prestigious awards like the Young Researcher Award and Best Ph.D. Thesis Award , she continues to advance innovative solutions in forestry, ecology, and climate-smart agriculture. Her work integrates science, technology, and sustainability for a greener future .
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile
Education
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam academic journey reflects excellence and dedication . She earned her Ph.D. in Sericulture & Plant Genetic Evaluation from the Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where she achieved an impressive. Her doctoral research focused on clonal evaluation, and wood and leaf quality characterization of mulberry genetic resources . Prior to this, she completed her M.Sc. Agriculture in Sericulture at the same institute, securing. Building her foundation, she obtained a B.Sc. (Agriculture) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University . Her academic milestones not only highlight consistent brilliance but also showcase her deep commitment to agricultural sciences, forestry, and climate research . Beyond coursework, she enriched her expertise through specialized trainings in ArcGIS Pro, sericulture technology, statistics, and big data analytics. This strong educational background underpins her impactful research in climate-smart ecosystems .
Experience
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam brings dynamic professional experience to the fields of forestry, agriculture, and climate change adaptation . she has been serving as a Project Scientist at the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University, Chennai . She is actively engaged in the “Operationalization of Climate Studio” project, funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu, where she leads research on climate risk, vulnerability assessment, and ecosystem resilience . Beyond research, she has conducted capacity-building programs, training over forest officials in climate adaptation strategies, and delivering expert lectures in multiple district-level stakeholder workshops . Earlier in her academic journey, she gained hands-on experience in ecological modeling, sericulture, and agroforestry systems . She also presented her findings at international and national conferences, contributing to knowledge-sharing platforms across India . With a blend of academic excellence and field expertise, she continues to drive sustainable solutions for climate resilience .
Research Interest
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam research interests revolve around building sustainable ecosystems and tackling the challenges of climate change . Her core expertise lies in species distribution modeling (MaxEnt), where she studies the response of forest ecosystems to changing climate patterns . She focuses on climate variability, risk, and vulnerability assessment, particularly on how ecosystems and species adapt or migrate under stress conditions . Her work extends to climate-smart agriculture, integrating innovative farming practices that enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact . She is also interested in developing ecological models and applying decision support systems (DSSAT, ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS, R) to predict ecological outcomes and guide policy-making . By blending field research with computational modeling, she addresses pressing environmental challenges while contributing to sustainability goals . Her research ultimately bridges forestry, agriculture, and climate science to create resilient systems for the future .
Award and Honor
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam outstanding contributions have been recognized through multiple awards and honors . She received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Golden Jubilee International Conference on Crop Protection for Food Security, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University . Her doctoral research excellence was acknowledged with the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award at the HITASA International Conference, SR University, Warangal. Further, she was honored with the Young Researcher Award at the CITAAS International Conference, Guru Kashi University. In recognition of her dedication and innovation, she also earned the Young Women Scientist Award at the National Seminar on “Advancing Agricultural Frontiers for Sustainable Development” . These accolades highlight her pioneering work in forestry, sericulture, and climate adaptation research . Beyond academic recognition, her awards reflect her role as an inspiring scientist contributing to climate-smart solutions and sustainable development .
Research Skill
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam possesses a diverse set of advanced research skills that empower her to tackle complex environmental and agricultural challenges . She is proficient in Species Distribution Modeling, enabling her to predict species migration and habitat changes under climate variability . Her expertise extends to ecological modeling, GIS applications (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ERDAS), and decision support systems for agrotechnology transfer . Additionally, she is skilled in statistical programming (R), applying big data analytics to assess climate risk and ecological patterns . She has hands-on experience in sericulture research, particularly mulberry genetic evaluation and silk utilization . Beyond technical skills, she is adept at capacity building, having trained forestry officials in climate change adaptation . Her research toolkit blends computational methods with field expertise, making her work highly impactful in advancing sustainable forestry, agriculture, and climate resilience .
Publication Top Note
Title: Assessment of species migration patterns in forest ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, India, under changing climate scenarios
Authors: A. Ramachandran; Mithilasri Manickavasagam; S. Hariharan; M. Mathan; S. N. Ahamed Ibrahim; Divya Subash Kumar; Kurian Joseph SpringerLinkOUCI
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Climatology, Volume 155, Issue 10, Pages 9185–9196 SpringerLinkOUCI
Year: 2024 (Published online on 9 September 2024) SpringerLinkResearchGate
Conclusion
Dr. Mithilasri Manickavasagam innovative application of modelling techniques, training and outreach contributions, and recognition through multiple research awards, Dr. M. Mithilasri stands out as a highly deserving candidate for a Best Researcher Award. Her research not only advances scientific knowledge but also provides practical solutions for climate resilience, ecosystem sustainability, and agricultural innovation. Her proven academic excellence, interdisciplinary expertise, and dedication to capacity building strongly justify her selection for this recognition.