Dr Lalita Ledwani joined Manipal University Jaipur on September 1, 2011, as an associate professor and the founder head, Chemistry Department. She got promoted to Professor in July 2014. In the last 13 years of her association with MUJ, Dr. Ledwani has served the university in various capacities. Some of her key administrative assignments at the university are Dean, Faculty of Science (2021-2024); Director, School of Basic Sciences (2018-2024); Controller of Examinations (2016-2018); Library Advisor (2015-2017); Head of the Department (2011-2014); Presiding Officer, Internal Committee (2011-2013; 2019-2021); and Coordinator, R&D Division (2011-2012).

During her tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Science (FoS), Dr. Lalita Ledwani led a team of over 100 faculty members spanning the Departments of Biosciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics, and Computer Applications. Under her leadership, the Faculty achieved remarkable milestones, fostering innovation in teaching and establishing a collaborative academic environment for students. Key achievements during her tenure as the Dean, FoS include the publication of 683 Q1 and Q2 journal papers, with 290 high-impact papers (77.9% of total journal papers) published in 2024 alone. The per-faculty journal publication rate also saw a significant increase, rising from 2.60 in 2021 to 4.3 (total publications) in 2024, with an average of 3.70 (journal publications). Dr. Ledwani's tenure also saw the successful acquisition of nearly ₹14 crores in external research funding She prioritized fostering a collaborative academic culture through initiatives like monthly progressive meetings and the organization of impactful events, including four editions of the RAMSACT Conferences, Eco-ViSun 2024 seminar, National Science Days (NSDs), the Science Colloquium, and the Industry-Interface Academic Conclave etc. Dr Ledwani has played a significant role in the development of chemistry laboratories, material science laboratories, and the central analytical laboratory at Manipal University Jaipur. While heading the research and development division, she first introduced the concepts of seed money projects, a central instrumentation centre, and an incubation cell in 2012, which flourished subsequently in the university under the direction of the leadership.

With over 22 years of post-PhD experience in higher education, Dr L Ledwani has been actively engaged in academic and research endeavors. Dr Ledwani has been extensively carrying out research in natural products, surface modification techniques, environmental and sustainable chemistry areas etc. Dr Ledwani is guiding scholars at PhD/PG and UG levels. Six scholars have been awarded PhD degree under her supervision and eight PhD students are currently working under her guidance. Dr Ledwani is the recipient of the SMC 2022 Bronze Medal Award by the Society for Materials Chemistry (SMC), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai; the DST, Govt. of Rajasthan 2022 Women Scientist Award; and the Research Grant Award 2015 from KWEF, Japan. She has received financial support for over eleven research projects from different funding agencies, namely DST, Govt of India; DST, Govt. of Rajasthan; DBT, Govt of India, UGC, Govt. of India; including receipt of DST PURSE (2023) grant worth Rs 10 crore as the Coordinator and PI of the project. Dr Ledwani has published around seventy research manuscript published in reputed peer-reviewed journals and books, eight patents, delivered more than forty keynote/invited/expert lectures besides over sixty-eight papers in conferences and edited two books.

Dr L Ledwani is in the panel of research project evaluation committee of different agencies such as French National Research Agency (ANR), French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation; UK Research and Innovation; MBRU, Dubai; UGC, Govt. of India; BRNS, Govt. of India; DST, Rajasthan. She has been invited/visiting faculty in different organizations such as the University of Oklahoma, USA; the Department of Science and Technology, Philippines; UPSC, New Delhi; IPR Gandhinagar; IIT Madras; BARC, Mumbai etc.

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 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and Fellow, Indian Chemical Society (FICS)

Dr Lalita can be contacted at email: lalita.ledwani@jaipur.manipal.edu