Dean, Faculty of Science

Dr Lalita Ledwani joined Manipal University Jaipur on September 1, 2011, as an Associate Professor and the Founder Head, Chemistry Department. She got promoted as a Professor in July 2014. In the last 12 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-contd.); 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). 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 21 years of post-PhD experience in 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 etc. Dr Ledwani is actively engaged in 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 as namely DST, Govt of India (06); DST, Govt. of Rajasthan (02); DBT, Govt of India (01), UGC, Govt. of India (01), MUJ (01); including receipt of DST PURSE (2023) grant worth Rs 10 crore as the Coordinator and PI of the project. Dr Ledwani has published around fifty research papers in reputed peer reviewed journals, thirteen book chapters and seven patents; delivered more than forty keynote/invited/expert lectures besides over sixty 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 L Ledwani is in the panel of research project evaluation committee of different agencies namely DST, Rajasthan; BRNS, Govt. of India; UGC, Govt. of India. She has been associated with different organizations namely UPSC, New Delhi; IIT Madras; IPR Gandhinagar; NFSU, Gandhinagar; Gujarat University; Central University of Rajasthan; University of Rajasthan; BARC, Mumbai and MBRU, Dubai etc., as member advisory board/examination panel/executive council or 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 etc.

Dr Ledwani has organized various academic events at MUJ in a lead role. Some of those key events are: RTRCS conference (2014), 3rd Rajasthan Science Congress (2015), Science Camp (2015), DST Inspire Science Camps (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018), DAE- BRNS 5th NWMC workshop (2019), CRMSC conference (2021), RAMSACT conferences (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) etc.

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