Dr. Swetapadma Dash is an accomplished Indian entomologist and biodiversity researcher specializing in aquatic and semi-aquatic insects. Over the course of her scientific career, she has developed deep expertise in the taxonomy, ecology, and molecular characterization of major insect groups, particularly Hemiptera and Diptera. She has led multi-state faunal surveys across the eastern and central regions of India, contributing substantially to the National Zoological Collections (NZC) through the curation of more than 14,000 specimens. Her academic training and professional work reflect a strong commitment to advancing biodiversity science, particularly in estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

Research Highlights & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Dash has made exceptional contributions to insect taxonomy, with 22 new species, 3 new national records, and 1 new taxonomic combination formally described across multiple insect orders. Her research has significantly expanded scientific understanding of estuarine and coastal faunal diversity in India. She has also developed major taxonomic databases exceeding 8,000 entries, and has played a key role in national biodiversity documentation efforts through AICOPTAX and Eastern Ghats Fauna projects.

Research Projects & Leadership

As Principal Investigator, Dr. Dash has led several national-level research projects, including studies on:

• Dipteran diversity of the Odisha coast

• Molecular characterization of Anopheles species

• Faunal diversity of Narmada & Tapti estuaries

• Aquatic insects of the Southern Coastal belt of Odisha

• Estuarine biodiversity of the Subhadra Estuary

• Water Strider diversity along the Eastern Coast (AICOPTAX)

Her leadership in large faunal surveys has resulted in 6,000–8,000 collected and curated samples, including many first-state new records, which have been added to national archives, significantly strengthening India’s biodiversity knowledge base.

Publications & Scholarly Output

Dr. Dash has authored 45 research papers, including publications in high-impact journals such as Zootaxa, Aquatic Insects, Current Science, and Biomaterials Translational. She has also contributed:

• 6 Books (as Editor/Co-author)

• 18 Book Chapters in national biodiversity compendia

• 17 Conference Papers (including 4 international)

Her work has been widely recognized for its depth in taxonomy, estuarine ecology, and insect diversity.

National Service, Outreach & Scientific Impact

In addition to her research output, Dr. Dash has provided expert identification and advisory support to universities, research institutes, and biodiversity initiatives throughout India. She serves as a reviewer for various international journals and is part of the Editorial Group for the Biological Records Journal. She has organized national workshops, delivered invited lectures, and trained young researchers in taxonomy, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental sciences.

Professional Memberships

• Life Member – Society for Immunology & Immunopathology

• Life Member – National Academy of Vector-Borne Diseases

Field Surveys & Collections

Dr. Dash has carried out extensive fieldwork in:
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Telangana.
Her collections and survey outputs have significantly enriched the NZC and national biodiversity databases.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award 

Dr. Swetapadma Dash is highly eligible for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels owing to her outstanding contributions to insect taxonomy, estuarine biodiversity, and national faunal documentation. With 22 new species discoveries, multiple new national records, 45 research publications, and significant leadership in multi-state faunal surveys, she has made impactful and original scientific contributions of national importance. Her role as Principal Investigator in several biodiversity projects, her development of extensive taxonomic databases, and her service as reviewer, editor, and scientific mentor further reflect her excellence and influence in the field. Through her sustained research productivity, leadership in environmental and biodiversity studies, and commitment to capacity building, Dr. Dash exemplifies the achievements and scientific merit celebrated by the Women Researcher Award.