Dr. Lakshmi Challa is an accomplished researcher and academician with 26 years of combined experience in teaching, research, and extension work. She is currently serving as Scientist, AICRP-WIA (CT) at PJTAU, where she specializes in apparel and textile quality analysis, wet processing, traditional textile arts and crafts, product development, and marketing and merchandising. Her professional experience encompasses 20 years in teaching, 2 years in research, and 4 years in extension and industry engagement.

Over her career, Dr. Challa has taught diverse academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Home Science, Fashion Technology, Community Science, Fashion and Apparel Designing, Apparel Marketing and Merchandising, and Boutique Management at PJTAU Hyderabad and Bangalore University. She has also coordinated training programs including the Sewing Machine Operator Course and Apparel Quality Management Course under the Apparel Technology Development Centre of the Apparel Export Promotion Council.

Research & Publications

Dr. Challa has established a strong research profile in textile science and apparel technology. Her publication record includes 5 research articles with NAAS rating, 16 popular articles, 2 book chapters, and multiple blog articles and newspaper clippings. Her recent research contributions span topics including protective fabrics for agricultural workwear, biomimetic e-skin materials, rural technology adoption, women handloom weavers' livelihood security, temple textile design exploration, and eco-friendly antimicrobial textile finishes. Her publications have appeared in peer-reviewed journals including The Journal of Research PJTSAU, International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development, AATCC Review, and IJSDR, with NAAS ratings ranging from 5.04 to 14.15. She has also developed 5 UGC-MHRD sponsored NME-ICT e-content videos on children's clothing textiles.

Books & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Challa has contributed 2 book chapters to scholarly publications, including a chapter on "Fashion and Apparel Designing" in Commercial Garment Technology published by the Telugu Academy, Board of Intermediate Education, Government of Telangana. She has also authored 5 educational DVDs on fabric types, clothing construction, bleaching and optical brightening agents, and children's clothing essentials as part of the UGC-MHRD NME-ICT e-content development program.

Research Projects & Funding

Dr. Challa has successfully led a university-industry collaborative research project titled "University-Industry Linkage for Collaborative Research Proposal on Natural Antimicrobial Bamboo-Based Hygiene Garments for Quality Certification" (2021–2023) with a budget of 10 Lakhs. This project demonstrated her capacity to secure and manage research funding and foster collaboration between academic and industrial sectors.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Dr. Challa has supervised 3 postgraduate and 1 doctoral students through their academic research. She has delivered training workshops on apparel quality management and sewing machine operation through the Apparel Technology Development Centre, contributing to workforce skill development in the textile and apparel sectors.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Dr. Challa has actively pursued professional development, attending 11 national trainings (both online and offline) and 3 international trainings (online). She maintains active engagement through multiple digital platforms, including a YouTube channel featuring textile and apparel content, a blog addressing textile innovations and traditional arts, and profiles on academic and professional networks including Vidwan-IRINS, LinkedIn, ORCID, Scopus, ResearcherID, and Google Scholar.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Dr. Challa's recognitions include the Innovative Article Award from the Agriculture and Food e-Newsletter for her article on farm residue utilization, the Best Research Scholar Award (2021) from the Green Agri Professional Society, and the Telangana State Best Coordinated NSS Programme Officer Award for her contribution to the State-level NSS Youth Festival Event (2015). She is a recipient of ICAR-SRF (2012), ICAR-JRF (1996), and UGC NET (Home Science) (1998). Professionally, she is affiliated with the International Textile & Apparel Association, Textile Association of India, Apparel Export Promotion Council, South Indian Fashion Designers Council, Karnataka Agri-Professionals Association, Home Science Association of India, and Bloomsbury Fashion Designers' Central e-resource library.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award

Dr. Lakshmi Challa demonstrates exceptional credentials for the Women Researcher Award through her 26 years of combined experience, substantial publication record of 5 NAAS-rated research articles, book chapters and educational content development, successful research project management, doctoral and postgraduate student mentorship, and active engagement in professional networks. Her research focuses on addressing practical problems in textile science and apparel technology, with particular emphasis on sustainability, traditional textile arts, and social issues such as women handloom weavers' livelihoods. Her contributions span teaching, research, extension work, and industry collaboration, reflecting a holistic commitment to academic and professional excellence.

Dr. Lakshmi Challa is eligible for consideration for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels, particularly in recognition of her sustained contributions to textile science research, apparel technology education, scholarly publications, and collaborative industry engagement.