Curriculum vitae

PERSONAL DETAILS

• Birth Date   : 28 February 1980

• Nationality : Indian

• Languages  : English, Marathi, Hindi

RESEARCH INTERESTS

1. Molecular phylogeny, phylogeography and evolution: Elucidating evolutionary relationships among vertebrate and invertebrate taxa based on multigene phylogenies. Understanding genetic networks and haplotype diversity. Selection pressure on coding regions. Evolution of morphological characters on phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical hypothesis testing. Molecular dating. Reconstruction of biogeographical history. Correlating geological history with speciation events.

2. Molecular epidemiology of wildlife diseases: Designing new methods and protocols for molecular detection and quantitation of wildlife diseases. Mathematical and statistical models of disease occurrence and spread and their implications in conservation of biological diversity.

3. Evolutionary game theory and mathematical biology: Understanding and resolution of conflict at several hierarchical levels from genes to genomes to individuals and communities using evolutionary game theory framework. Evolutionary dynamics of community protected areas.  

EDUCATION

Ph. D. , University of Pune, 2007-2010

• Thesis: Modeling the evolution of social norms and sanctions under natural selection

• Subject: Scientific Computing 

M. Sc., University of Pune, 2001-2003

• Subject: Microbiology

• Score and class obtained: 75.30%; First Class with Distinction

B. Sc., University of Pune, 1998-2001

• Principal subject: Microbiology

• Secondary subjects: Zoology and Chemistry

• Score and class obtained: 71.47%; First Class with Distinction

HONORS AND AWARDS

• PUBLONS – Top reviewers in Cross-Field     September 2018

• IISER Pune – Appreciation of service to the institute                                                                                      April 2016

• DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship                                                                                                                     August 2012

• CSIR JRF and NET Lecturer                                                                                                                        December 2006

• UGC JRF and NET Lecturer                                                                                                                                   June 2006

POST-DOCTORAL EXPERIENCE

DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellow, 2012-2017

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

IISER Fellow, 2010-2012

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

RESEARCH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCES

Assistant Professor, 2021-ongoing

• Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR

Honorary Scientist, 2018 - 2021

• Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore

• Conservation ecology

Research Scientist, 2019 - 2020

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune.

• Marine microbial diversity component in Maharashtra Gene Bank Project

Visiting Faculty, 2017-2018

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

• Course: Integrated B.S.-M.S. duel degree

• Subjects: Practical course in Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution. 

DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellow, 2012-2017

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

• Course: Integrated B.S.-M.S. duel degree

• Subjects: Theory course in Microbiology. Practical courses in Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution. 

IISER Fellow, 2010-2012

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

• Course: Integrated B.S.-M.S. duel degree

• Subjects: Theory course in Microbiology. Practical courses in Microscopy, Cell biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution. 

Teaching Associate, 2009-2010

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

• Course: Integrated B.S.-M.S. duel degree

• Subjects: Practical courses in Microscopy, Cell biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution. 

Visiting Faculty, 2006-2009

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

• Course: Integrated B.S.-M.S. duel degree

• Subjects: Practical courses in Microscopy, Cell biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution. 

Lecturer, 2003-2006

• M. E. S. Abasaheb Garware College, Pune

• Courses: M.Sc. Microbiology, M. Sc. Biodiversity, B. Sc. Industrial Microbiology

• Subjects: Microbial metabolite screening and process optimization, Bioreactor design and operation, Medical Microbiology, Microbial Diversity and Taxonomy, Bio-statistics, Evolution, Molecular evolution and phylogenetics, Population ecology and population genetics.

Guest lectures (selected)

• Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), 2014 – till date

  • Probability theory  

• Department of Bioinformatics, SPPU, Jan 2017

  • Multivariate statistics

PUBLICATIONS (selected; * corresponding author)

1. Raghavan, R., Sundar, R.L., Arjun, C.P., Britz, R. & Dahanukar, N.* (2023) Evolution in the dark: Unexpected genetic diversity and morphological stasis in the blind, aquifer-dwelling catfish Horaglanis. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 57-74. [We provide first molecular phylogeny and population genetics study on the subterranean catfish Horaglanis and describe a new species H. populi. We also discuss the morphological stasis in the organism despite large genetic divergence in the four species.]

2. Raghavan, R., Britz, R. & Dahanukar, N. (2021) Poor groundwater governance threatens ancient subterranean fishes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 36(10): 875-878. [We explain the biodiversity shortfalls that have led to several knowledge gaps in our understanding of subterranean fauna of the Western Ghats. We also discuss the various threats to the subterranean fishes of the Western Ghats due to poor groundwater governance. We provide solutions to overcome the knowledge gaps and groundwater governance for conservation of the threatened ancient subterranean fishes.]

3. Sidharthan, A., Raghavan, R., Anoop, V.K., Philip, S. & Dahanukar, N. (2020) Riddle on the riffle: Miocene diversification and biogeography of endemic mountain loaches (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) in the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot. Journal of Biogeography 47(12): 2741-2754. [Using multigene molecular phylogeny using mitochondrial and nuclear genes we show that the current phylogenetic and biogeographical patterns in endemic hill stream loach Bhavania has been shaped by a combination of historic physiographical factors including orogeny events such as river-capture and associated hydrological rearrangements influencing palaeodrainages and palaeoclimatic conditions. This paper was selected by the journal as the cover story. ] 

4. Varma, C., Kumkar, P., Raghavan, R., Katwate, U., Paingankar, M. & Dahanukar, N.* (2019) Glass in the water: molecular phylogenetics and evolution of Indian glassy perchlets (Teleostei: Ambassidae). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research 57: 623–631. [Study provides first multigene phylogeny of glass fishes of the family Ambassidae. Based on osteological study we also show that the jaw structure of iconic monotypic genus Chanda is likely to be an autapomorphic character evolved for its lepidophagus habit.]

5. Suranse, V., Sawant, N.S., Bastawade, D.B. & Dahanukar, N.* (2019) Haplotype diversity in the medically important red scorpion (Scorpiones: Buthidae: Hottentotta tamulus) from India. Journal of Genetics 98: 17. [Paper by undergraduate student, provides first population genetics study on scorpions of India. The study shows that the medcinally important red scorpion Hottentotta tamulus has a strong genetic phylogeographical structuring where the populations form western side of the Western Ghats (high rainfall), eastern side of the Western Ghats (medium rainfall) and dry regions of central India are genetically isolated.]

6. Keskar, A., Raghavan, R., Paingankar, M.S., Kumkar, P., Katwate, U., Jadhav, S., Padhye, A.D. & Dahanukar, N.* (2018) Molecular phylogeny unveils hidden diversity of hillstream loaches (Cypriniformes: Cobitoidea) in the northern Western Ghats of India. Meta Gene 17: 237–248. [Study provides first molecular phylogeny of loaches from Western Ghats of India and show exceptional hidden diversity of loaches from northern Western Ghats.]

7. Surnase, V., Sawant, N.S., Paripatyadar, S., Krutha, K., Paingankar, M.S., Padhye, A.D., Bastawade, D.B. & Dahanukar N.* (2017) First molecular phylogeny of scorpions of the family Buthidae from India. Mitochondrial DNA Part A 28(4):606-611. [Paper by undergraduate student, provides first molecular phylogeny of Indian scorpions and establishes that for a widely distributed species Hottentotta tamulus, increase in the genetic distance is a function of increasing geographical distance between populations.]

8. Keskar, A., Raghavan, R., Kumkar, P., Padhye, A. & Dahanukar, N.* (2017) Assessing the sustainability of subsistence fisheries of small indigenous fish species: fishing mortality and exploitation of hill stream loaches in India. Aquatic Living Resources 30: 13. [Length based population dynamics to evaluate sustainability of fishing of hill stream loaches. First study on subsistence fisheries highlighting the importance of quantitation of exploitation for conservation of small vertebrates with harvesting pressure.]

9. Dahanukar, N.*, Modak, N., Krutha, K., Nameer, P.O., Padhye, A.D. & Molur, S. (2016) Leaping frogs (Anura: Ranixalidae) of the Western Ghats of India: An integrated taxonomic review. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(10): 9221-9288. [Resolution of systematics of an endemic amphibian family with description of a new genus and four species using integrated approach of morphometirc and genetic analysis.]

10. Molur, S., Krutha, K., Paingankar, M.S. & Dahanukar, N.* (2015) Asian strain of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is widespread in the Western Ghats, India. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 112: 251-255. [Paper reports chytrid fungal incidences in endemic and threatened amphibians of the Western Ghats and uses a niche based modeling to understand the possible hotspots of chytrid infections.]

11. Dahanukar, N.*, Philip, S., Krishnakumar, K., Ali, A. & Raghavan, R. (2013) The phylogenetic position of Lepidopygopsis typus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), a monotypic freshwater fish endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Zootaxa 3700(1): 113-139. [Study establishes convergent evolution of morphological traits between peninsular trout and snow trout. It also presents first molecular dating for Western Ghats endemic large barbs, which provides new insights on the evolution of barbs during Gondwana split and their current distribution in Africa, Europe and Asia.]

12. Dahanukar, N., Krutha, K., Paingankar, M.S., Padhye, A.D., Modak, N. & Molur, S. (2013) Endemic Asian chytrid strain Infection in threatened and endemic anurans of the northern Western Ghats, India. PLoS ONE 8(10): e77528. [Study provides first evidence of Chytrid fungal infections in the endemic and threatened amphibians of the northern Western Ghats based on nested PCR, quantitative PCR, sequencing and histology. We propose that the infectious agent is an Asian endemic strain, which has implications in understand the origins of the chytrid fungus that is claming amphibian populations worldwide. This paper has 25 citations.]

13. Shah, J. & Dahanukar, N.* (2012) Bioremediation of organometallic compounds by bacterial degradation. Indian Journal of Microbiology 52(2): 300-304. [Paper by undergraduate student based on work that started as a practical. Study details the process of bioremidiation of organometallic pollutant through bacterial degradation.]

14. Dahanukar, N.*, Raghavan, R., Ali, A., Abraham, R. & Shaji, C.P. (2011) The status and distribution of freshwater fishes of the Western Ghats. In: Molur, S., Smith, K.G., Daniel, B.A. and Darwall, W.R.T. (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India. IUCN: UK and Switzerland; Zoo Outreach Organisation: India. pp. 21-48. [Analysis of comprehensive assessment of threat status of Western Ghats freshwater fish species based on IUCN redlisting criteria. Chapter provides first detailed account of diversity, distribution and threats to endemic and threatened freshwater fish species and its management implications. This book chapter has 79 citations.]

15. Dahanukar, N.* & Watve, M. (2009) Refinement of defection strategies stabilizes cooperation. Current Science 96(6): 801-810. [Game theoretical model and computer simulation ironically show that refined defectors actually help in maintaining cooperation in the social dilemma by a positive selection of costly sanctions.]

16. Dahanukar, N.* & Watve, M. (2009) Group selection and reciprocity among kin. The Open Biology Journal 2: 66-79. [We show that in social dilemmas, kin selection is essential for evolution of cooperation, although once established cooperation can be maintained by other processes even among non-kins.]

17. Dahanukar, N.*, Raut, R. & Bhat, A. (2004) Distribution, endemism and threat status of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats of India. Journal of Biogeography 31(1): 123-136. [First comprehensive analysis of diversity and distribution of freshwater fishes of the Western Ghats and their biogeographical significance. A method based on saturating kinetics was designed for predicting the undescribed species based on literature sampling. An R code was created based on the method described in the paper. This paper has 145 citations.]

RESEARCH IMPACT

Google Scholar URL: http://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=Y8Ul2U4AAAAJ

• Citations: 3049

• h index = 27

• i10 index = 88

SCOPUS Author ID: 6506872995 

• Citations: 1193

• h index = 17

Cumulative journal impact factor = 201.942

RESEARCH GRANT

1. DST-INSPIRE Research Grant, 2012-2017

• Title: Molecular phylogeny of freshwater fishes: implications in understanding evolution, biogeography and conservation values

• Role: Principle Investigator

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS IN COLLABORATION

1. Scientific Exploration Society's 'Inspiration' Explorer Award (UK), 2015-2016

• Title: Freshwater fishes of the lost island: Ichthyological expeditions in the inland waters of Nicobar Archipelago

• Collaboration with: Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai

2. Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Abu Dhabi), 2014-2015

• Title: A preliminary assessment of select Freshwater Fish AZE species and sites in Western Ghats 

• Collaboration with: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore

3. Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Abu Dhabi), 2014-2015

• Title: Conservation of mahseer fishes of the Western Ghats

• Collaboration with: Conservation Research Group, Kochi

4. Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Abu Dhabi), 2013-2014

• Title: Evaluation and impact of chytridiomycosis on the endemic and highly threatened amphibians of the Western Ghats

• Collaboration with: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore

5. Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Abu Dhabi), 2012-2013

• Title: Lost fishes of Western Ghats

• Role: Co-Principle Investigator

• Collaborator: Conservation Research Group, Kochi, Kerala

6. US Fish and Wildlife Service-Amphibians in Decline Fund (USA), 2011-2013

• Title: Evaluation and impact of chytridiomycosis on the endemic and highly threatened amphibians of the Western Ghats

• Collaboration with: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore 

PH. D. STUDENTS (CO-GUIDED)

1. Sheth, S. (2019) Diversity, distribution and ecology of aquatic coleoptera in and around Pune. Ph. D. thesis submitted to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Department of Environmental Sciences). (Guide: A. D. Padhye; Co-Guide: Hemant Ghate and Neelesh Dahanukar)

2. Keskar, A. (2018) Diversity, distribution patterns and molecular phylogeny of hillstream loaches (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae, Cobitidae) along the environmental gradients of the northern Western Ghats. Ph. D. thesis submitted to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Department of Environmental Sciences). (Guide: A. D. Padhye; Co-Guide: Neelesh Dahanukar)

3. Modak, N. S. (2017) Ecology and molecular phylogeny of Leaping frogs (Anura: Ranixalidae) from northern Westem Ghats of India with their conservation implications. Ph. D. thesis submitted to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Department of Environmental Sciences). (Guide: A. D. Padhye; Co-Guide: Neelesh Dahanukar)

MASTERS PROJECT STUDENTS GUIDED

1. Suranse, V. (2017) Molecular phylogeny and venom characterization of Indian scorpions. M. S. dissertation for the partial fulfillment of Integrated M.S. degree course of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. [Publication of two papers in Mitochondrial DNA Part A and Journal of Genetics]

2. Mokashi, A. (2015) Molecular phylogeny of bagrid catfishes if the Western Ghats, India.  M. S. dissertation for the partial fulfillment of Integrated M.S. degree course of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune.  

3. Rao, A. (2013) Nesting Behaviour in Baya Weaver Birds with reference to the optimal number of males per colony as a result of a cost-benefit relationship. Project report submitted to the Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, towards the partial fulfillment of M.Sc. Biodiversity Degree (University of Pune)

4. Watve, M. (2013) Nesting Behavior in Baya Weaver Birds with Reference to the optimal Time of Entry to the Colony and Comparative Sites of the Nests. Project report submitted to the Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, towards the partial fulfillment of M.Sc. Biodiversity Degree (University of Pune)

5. Ramasubramony, S. (2010) Developmental biology and social interactions in myxobacteria. Project report submitted to the Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, towards the partial fulfillment of M.Sc. Biodiversity Degree (University of Pune). 

6. Ponkshe, A. V. (2010) Evolution of stealing, guarding and multiple nest building in Baya Weaverbird (Ploceus philippinus). Project report submitted to the Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, towards the partial fulfillment of M.Sc. Biodiversity Degree (University of Pune).

7. Bharekar, S. (2009) Strategies for controlling dengue at epidemiological level. Project report submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Abeda Inamdar Sr. College, Pune, towards the partial fulfillment of M. Sc. (Microbiology) degree. 34 pp. 

8. Rathour, N. (2009) Cellular model for dengue virus dynamics. Project report submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Abeda Inamdar Sr. College, Pune, towards the partial fulfillment of M. Sc. (Microbiology) degree. 32 pp.

9. Srinivasagopalan, P. & Murugan, S. (2008) Plasmid diversity across the three domains of life. Project report submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Abeda Inamdar Sr. College, Pune, towards the partial fulfillment of M. Sc. (Microbiology) degree. 48 pp.

10. Tarak, R. C. (2007) Evolution of cooperation in the Centipede Game. Project report submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, towards the partial fulfillment of M. Sc. (Biodiversity) degree. 32 pp.

11. Chakraborty, S., Thite, M. & Gade, M. (2005) Resource management and interspecific interactions in bacteria. Project report submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, towards the partial fulfillment of M. Sc. (Biodiversity) degree.

EDITORIAL WORK

Associate Editor Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science (since 2022)

Editorial board member of PLoS ONE (since 2022)

Editorial board member of BMC Zoology (since 2022)

Editorial board member of Journal of Threatened Taxa (since 2010)

REFEREEING WORK FOR JOURNALS

1. Amphibia-Reptilia

2. Aquaculture and Fisheries

3. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

4. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology

5. Biotropia

6. Check List

7. Conservation Genetics Resources

8. Copeia

9. Current Science

10. Diversity

11. Ecology and Evolution

12. Endangered Species Research

13. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

14. Frontiers in Genetics

15. Gender, Place and Culture

16. Genetica

17. Heliyon

18. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters

19. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

20. Journal of Applied Ichthyology

21. Journal of Biosciences

22. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society

23. Journal of Fish Biology

24. Journal of Genetics

25. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology 

26. Journal of Theoretical Biology

27. Journal of Threatened Taxa

28. Meta Gene

29. Micron

30. Mitochondrial DNA Part A

31. PeerJ

32. PLoS ONE

33. Revista de Biología Tropical

34. Royal Society Open Science

35. Scientific Reports

36. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences

37. The European Zoological Journal

38. Toxicon

39. Trees, Forests and People

40. Tropical Ecology

41. Vertebrate Zoology

42. Water

43. ZooKeys

44. Zoology

45. Zoological Research

46. Zoologischer Anzeiger

47. Zootaxa 

Please also refer to Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/919776 

REFEREEING WORK FOR RESEARCH GRANTS

1. National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration.

2. CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund) – ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) Western Ghats Grants Program (http://www.atree.org/reviewers)

3. The Estonian Research Council (ETAG), Estonian Research Council, Estonia. 

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED AS RESOURCE PERSON (SELECTED)

1. IUCN  South Asia Freshwater Fish Assessment Workshop, organized by the Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group–South Asia and  the  IUCN  Freshwater  Biodiversity  Unit at Kandy, Sri Lanka, 25 February 2020 to 01 March 2020. 

2. A Workshop on Evolution and Molecular Phylogenetics, organized by The Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai, Funded by RUSA, on 6th and 7th February 2020. 

3. Scientific Writing Workshop, Organized by Directorate of Research & College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, 23rd-24th February 2018.

4. Mahseer 2017 – International Workshop on Mahseer Conservation, organized by Bournemouth University, UK;  Mahseer Trust, UK; & Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, Kerala, 5th – 6th April 2017. 

5. Satellite workshop on Freshwater Fish Conservation: Concepts, Techniques and Strategies, The seventh Student Conference on Conservation Science, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 21st–24th September 2016.

6. ‘Under  the  Canopy’  training program  organized  by  North  East  Network (NEN), Chizami, Nagaland, 13th – 19th April 2014.

7. CEPF/IUCN workshop on freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas, organized by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), at Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu, 3rd –15th March 2014.

8. Western Ghats Reptile Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Workshop, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 28th February – 4th March 2011.

9. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Western Ghats Freshwater Biodiversity assessment training workshop, organized by IUCN, Switzerland and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 11th – 15th January 2010.

10. Eastern Himalayas Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment, IUCN Red List Training Workshop, Kathmandu, Nepal, 22nd – 26th July 2009.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE WORK 

• Assessor for IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) redlist of freshwater fishes under two projects

  • • Freshwater fish assessments for India (2020-2021)

    • Freshwater fish assessments for Pakistan (2020)

    • Freshwater fish assessments for Eastern Himalaya (2009-2010)

    • Freshwater fish assessments for Western Ghats (2010-2011)

• Authored 138 peer reviewed IUCN redlist assessments for Indian fishes, available online at http://www.iucnredlist.org/

• Member of IUCN-FFSG-SA (IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group South Asia)

NATIONAL COMMITTEE WORK

• Scientific committee member at national conference on Aquatic Ecosystems: Sustainability and Conservation, 20th and 21st December 2019, Hosted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER-P), Supported by Maharashtra Gene Bank Programme, Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission (RGSTC), Government of Maharashtra.

• Institutional committee (IISER Pune)

  • • Biology undergraduate practical courses design for first three semesters (2006-2007)

    • Setting up of biology undergraduate practical laboratory (2006)

    • Faculty adviser for UG students (2010-till date)

    • Coordinator for biology practical sessions for DST-INSPIRE CAMP (2015-2017)

• Organizing committee member, Conference on Evolutionary and Integrative Biology (CEIB), organized by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 21st – 22nd Dec 2017. 

• Scientific committee member, 8th AARCN conference on Raptor Research, organized by Ela Foundation Pune and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 6th – 9th Feb 2014.

• Scientific programme committee member, National Conference on Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Utilization, organized by Department of Biodiversity, M.E.S. Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, 9th – 11th Feb 2012.