Dr. Jayanti Mukherjee is an accomplished ecologist, academician, and environmental researcher whose work focuses on plant responses to environmental stress, climate change, functional ecology, and ecosystem restoration. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India, where she has been teaching and conducting research since 2015, and was promoted to Associate Professor in September 2022. She is also the Co-founder of the Climate Educators Network, established in November 2023, an initiative dedicated to strengthening climate education and promoting climate-resilient societies through inclusive and experiential learning.

Her research career spans several prestigious institutions, including Wildlife Institute of India, Utah State University, Florida International University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Ben-Gurion University in Israel. She has contributed to ecological research, biodiversity conservation, environmental restoration, and plant adaptation studies across diverse geographical regions.

Research Expertise & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Mukherjee's research investigates the mechanisms through which plants respond and adapt to environmental stress, particularly drought, heat, and other climate-related challenges. Using an ecological and functional-trait-based approach, she examines plant morphological, anatomical, and hydrological characteristics to understand stress tolerance at individual, population, and community levels.

Her current research emphasizes urban ecosystems, particularly the effects of drought and the urban heat island phenomenon on plant functioning and vulnerability. Her broader research interests include plant functional ecology, restoration ecology, biodiversity conservation, climate-change mitigation, and ecosystem resilience. Her interdisciplinary approach contributes to understanding how ecological processes can inform sustainable urban planning and environmental management.

Research Publications & Scholarly Output

Dr. Mukherjee has contributed to 20 research publications, including scientific papers, book chapters, scholarly reviews, and educational resources. Her publications address plant ecology, ecological restoration, plant stress resistance, biodiversity conservation, and the use of functional traits to understand environmental adaptation.

She has also contributed to the development of iThinkbiology, an undergraduate biology educational resource designed particularly for the Indian academic context. Her scholarly work combines ecological theory with practical applications, supporting research and education in plant biology, conservation, and environmental science.

Research Projects, Grants & Fellowships

Dr. Mukherjee has demonstrated sustained involvement in funded research and collaborative scientific initiatives. She has received research grants from Azim Premji University and supported projects associated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Her research funding history includes multiple university research-centre grants and support for long-term ecological observation and climate-related research.

Her earlier academic achievements include a MASHAV Fellowship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Israel, in 2003, a research assistantship supported by the United States Department of Agriculture, and travel awards from the Ecology Centre at Utah State University. These opportunities have supported her international research exposure and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Teaching Excellence & Academic Leadership

As an Associate Professor at Azim Premji University, Dr. Mukherjee teaches and develops undergraduate courses in ecology, biology, plant science, environmental science, biodiversity, biostatistics, quantitative biology, and climate ecology. She integrates experiential, systems-based, and place-based pedagogical approaches to promote critical thinking and scientific understanding.

She has served on the Student Research Committee, contributed to the Student Research Journal, and coordinated faculty recruitment, student support, and placement activities. Her teaching experience also includes academic assignments at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Florida International University. Through curriculum development, student research mentoring, and academic administration, she contributes to strengthening undergraduate science education.

Climate Education & Community Engagement

Dr. Mukherjee is deeply committed to making climate education accessible, inclusive, and relevant to local communities. As Co-founder of the Climate Educators Network, she works collaboratively with teachers and students in primary schools to encourage meaningful engagement with climate change and its ecological and societal implications.

Her work bridges scientific research and public education by connecting ecological knowledge with experiential learning and community-based action. This combination of research, teaching, and outreach reflects her dedication to fostering environmental awareness and developing climate-resilient communities.

International Scientific Engagement & Recognition

Dr. Mukherjee has presented her research at prominent international scientific meetings, including conferences organized by the Ecological Society of America, the British Ecological Society, the Ecological Society of Australia, and the World Conference on Ecological Restoration. Her presentations have addressed urban tree vulnerability, plant functional traits, ecological restoration, climate-change adaptation, and sustainable ecosystem management.

She has also contributed to organizing scientific conferences and research events, including the International Frugivore and Seed Dispersal Symposium in 2020 and the Annual Research Conclave at Azim Premji University in 2023. Her international research experience and active participation in scientific forums demonstrate her commitment to advancing ecological knowledge and collaborative research.

Eligibility for Best Scientist of the Year 

Dr. Jayanti Mukherjee is a strong candidate for the Best Scientist of the Year Award in Scientific Laurels, based on her contributions to plant ecology, climate-change research, environmental sustainability, and higher education. Her research on plant functional traits and environmental stress provides valuable insights into plant resilience, urban ecosystem functioning, and ecological restoration under changing climatic conditions.

Her international postdoctoral research experience, record of 20 scholarly publications, success in securing research grants, and contributions to undergraduate science education demonstrate her multifaceted engagement with scientific advancement. Furthermore, her leadership in establishing the Climate Educators Network highlights her commitment to translating scientific knowledge into meaningful educational and community initiatives.

Overall, Dr. Jayanti Mukherjee merits consideration for the Scientific Laurels Best Scientist of the Year Award in recognition of her interdisciplinary research, academic leadership, climate education initiatives, and contributions to environmental science and sustainable ecosystem management.