Dr. Mary Mamatha Dadala, a Fulbright Scholar and an accomplished Professor of Biosciences and Sericulture at Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), with more than two decades of academic and research experience. She has served as Professor by merit since February 2015, following her tenure as Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences & Sericulture. Her academic career reflects sustained contributions to Molecular biology, Bioinformatics, Sericulture, Molecular biocontrol, DNA barcoding, Computational biology, and Biomaterials research.

Research Expertise

Her multidisciplinary research interests encompass Molecular biocontrol of insect pests, Gene-based QR coding, DNA barcoding, Molecular taxonomy, Computational biology, Silk sericin and Silk-fibroin biomaterials, and technology-enabled sericulture. Her work integrates Molecular biology and Computational approaches with practical applications in Agriculture, Pest management, Biodiversity conservation, and Sericulture.

Research Contributions & Publications

Dr. Mamatha has an extensive scholarly record, including 52 peer-reviewed research papers in Elsevier, Scopus, Wiley-Eastern, Web of Science, and UGC-CARE journals, together with Six books, Several research notes, and book chapters. Her research has addressed recombinant biopesticides, juvenile hormone-related genes, RNA interference, insect molecular biology, DNA barcoding, species identification, silk biomaterials, wound-healing applications, IoT-based sericulture, and biodiversity informatics.

A notable aspect of her scientific contribution is the sequencing and deposition of 166 genes/partial genes in repositories such as NCBI and DDBJ and the generation of 156 DNA barcodes deposited in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), Canada.

Major Research Projects & Grants

Dr. Mamatha has successfully contributed to and led numerous externally funded research programmes. Her portfolio includes 12 National and 5 International major research projects, supported by agencies and programmes including DBT, UGC, DST-SERB, DST Women Scientist, Fulbright, PM-USHA, ICMR and other collaborative funding bodies.

The source profile reports approximately ₹7.18 crore in National research grants and ₹36.80 lakh in International research grants, reflecting substantial experience in securing and executing competitive research projects towards her Institutional development.

Fellowships & International Recognition

Her academic achievements include prestigious fellowships and international research exposure, including:

• Fulbright Fellowship, University of California, Davis, USA

• DBT Overseas Young Scientist Fellowship, University of California, Davis

• IASc-INSA-NASI National Academies Summer Research Fellowships

• Fellowship of the International Science Congress Association

• Fellowship of the International Society for Ecological Communications

• WHO/UNICEF Achievement Award for International Bioinformatics Training

Her academic and research visits include institutions in the USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, Nepal, and the UAE, demonstrating extensive international academic engagement.

Awards & Honours

Dr. Mamatha has received several notable recognitions for teaching, research, innovation, and academic excellence, including the Andhra Pradesh State Best Teacher Award (2023), Most Impactful Registrar Award (2024), Research Excellency Award (2016), Best Research Paper Award (2013), Best Teacher Award (2017), World Intellectual Property Accreditation Erudite Medal (2021), and multiple international travel and research fellowships. Her early academic distinctions include University First Rank in Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics, UGC-NET qualification, and University-level ranks in her Postgraduate studies.

Innovation, Patents & Technology Development

A major strength of Dr. Mamatha's profile is her substantial contribution to intellectual property and technology development. Her portfolio comprises 16 reported intellectual-property assets, including patents, published applications, granted designs, and a registered trademark.

Her innovations include technologies related to Automatic recognition of Indian prawn species, recombinant and green biopesticides, Silk-fibroin-based wound dressings, IoT-enabled sericulture systems, Biodiversity and species identification, sanitary products, food packaging, and agricultural technologies.

She has also contributed to the development of three IoT devices for smart agricultural practices, addressing smart irrigation, pest management, and silkworm microclimate management.

Books & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Mamatha has authored and edited six books in areas including Integrated insect pest management, Bioinformatics, Molecular biology, and Computational bioengineering. Her scholarly contributions also include multiple book chapters covering Biopesticides, Sericulture, Computational biology, Women in science, Augmented reality in life sciences, and related interdisciplinary subjects.

Research Mentorship & Academic Leadership

She has demonstrated significant commitment to research mentorship, having successfully supervised 6 Ph.D. scholars, 2 postdoctoral researcher, and more than 35 Master's dissertations. She is currently guiding 6 Ph.D. scholars, a DST Woman Scientist, more than 10 master's dissertations, and several project fellows supported through DBT, DST, APSCHE, and PM-USHA projects.

She has also organized 43+ national and international academic events, participated in 95+ conferences and academic programmes, and delivered 41+ invited/lead talks, demonstrating strong academic leadership and scientific outreach.

Professional & Scientific Service

Dr. Mamatha actively contributes to the scientific community through research collaborations, academic events, professional memberships, peer-reviewed publications, and interdisciplinary projects. Her work spans Biosciences, Sericulture, Bioinformatics, Computational biology, Molecular biotechnology, Agriculture, Biodiversity, and emerging digital technologies, reflecting a broad and sustained scientific perspective.

Overall Research Impact

Dr. Mary Mamatha Dadala, Fulbright Scholar has established a distinguished academic profile combining long-standing professorship, international research fellowships, substantial externally funded projects, extensive publication output, intellectual-property generation, technological innovation, research mentorship, and scientific leadership. Her integration of molecular biology, computational science, biotechnology, sericulture, and emerging technologies has resulted in research with both scientific and practical societal applications.

Administrative contributions

Prof. D. M. Mamatha served as Registrar from 2016 to 2023, during which she played a significant role in strengthening the University’s administration, infrastructure, digital governance, research ecosystem, innovation, and student facilities.She has attained a Record of being the “ LONGEST PERIOD SERVED REGISTRAR ”.

One of the major administrative milestones achieved during her tenure was her instrumental role in securing approval of Pension sanctions for the Non-Teaching Staff, a painful issue that had remained pending for nearly a decade. She facilitated the development of sports infrastructure worth approximately ₹6.5 crore with financial support from the State and Central Governments. Several major infrastructure projects were taken up and successfully completed during her tenure, including two Engineering College blocks (C. V. Raman Block and K. L. Rao Block), Sabari Hostel, Humanities Block–III, two dining halls, and Gandhi Square student spaces, significantly augmenting the academic, residential, and student-support infrastructure of the University. She also initiated the construction of a new Administrative Block and a Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium.

Prof. Mamatha contributed substantially to the modernization and digital transformation of University administration by initiating and operationalizing CFMS (Comprehensive Financial Management System), PFMS (Public Financial Management System), and the e-Office system. She also facilitated the implementation of the National Academic Depository (NAD) and DigiLocker, enabling digital access to academic credentials. During her tenure, the University implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) along with the required curricular revisions. She further strengthened institutional collaborations by facilitating the signing of more than 50 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with national and international universities, research institutions, and other organizations.

A major highlight of her administrative tenure was her contribution towards building a strong Innovation, Incubation, Entrepreneurship, and Research ecosystem on the campus. She was instrumental in establishing Three incubation facilities with an approximate investment of ₹12 crore, including the DST–Technology Business Incubator (DST-TBI), DBT–Women Biotech Incubator Facility (DBT-WBIF) and MSME–Livelihood Business Incubator (MSME-LBI). She was also instrumental in facilitating and securing several major competitive projects and initiatives, including Khelo India Multipurpose Hall, National Medicinal Plants Board Medicinal Garden, DST-CURIE-AI, NIDHI-PRAYAS, Startup India initiatives, DBT-BUILDER, DST-STI-HUB, and other Institutional projects. Collectively, these projects represented funding of approximately ₹50.9 crore, substantially strengthening the University’s research, innovation, entrepreneurship, sports, and institutional infrastructure.

Eligibility for Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Mary Mamatha Dadala is eligible for the Outstanding Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels based on her extensive and sustained contributions to teaching, research, innovation, and scientific leadership. Her candidature is supported by more than two decades of academic experience, 52 peer-reviewed research papers, 12 National and 5 International research projects, substantial research funding, 166 deposited gene sequences, 156 DNA barcodes, a 16-asset intellectual-property portfolio, multiple books and book chapters, Prestigious Fulbright and other International fellowships, and numerous National and International recognitions.

Her achievements in Molecular biocontrol, DNA barcoding, Computational biology, Sericulture biotechnology, Biomaterials, IoT-enabled agriculture, Biodiversity informatics, and interdisciplinary research demonstrate both scientific depth and innovation. Her extensive research mentorship, international collaborations, technology development, and continued academic leadership further establish her as a strong candidate for the Outstanding Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels.

Overall, her tenure as Registrar from 2016 to 2023 was marked by significant achievements in administrative reforms, employee welfare, digital governance, infrastructure development, academic reforms, national and international collaborations, research funding, innovation and incubation, entrepreneurship promotion, and student welfare, contributing substantially to the institutional growth and development of the University.