Dr. L. Jeyapraba is a distinguished academician and researcher with 32 years of teaching experience in higher education. She is currently serving as Vice Principal and Head of Zoology Department and Research Centre at Sarah Tucker College, Tirunelveli (2013–Present), where she leads the department, supervises research scholars and coordinates academic initiatives. She previously served as Assistant Professor in the Zoology Department and Research Centre (2000–2013) and as Lecturer in the PG Department of Zoology (1994–2000).

Research & Publications

Dr. Jeyapraba has developed a robust research profile centred on biodiversity conservation, with particular emphasis on bats, insects and birds. Her research contributes significantly to understanding ecosystem services and conservation status of threatened species in India's Western Ghats and coastal regions. Her scholarly output includes 71 peer-reviewed journal publications in national and international journals, with work appearing in high-impact publications indexed in Web of Science and UGC CARE lists. She has authored 28 book chapters in national and international publications, covering topics ranging from bat ecology and crop pest management to water quality analysis and intellectual disability studies. Her citation profile demonstrates scholarly recognition, with 31 citations and an h-index of 4 as recorded on Google Scholar.

Patents, Books & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Jeyapraba has contributed to innovation through 4 published patents filed with the Indian Patent Office, including inventions for vermicompost preparation from organic waste, bat conservation equipment and pollination apparatus for sustainable agriculture. She has authored and contributed to 10 published books, including Current Research Trends in Biological Science (2022), Research in Key Issues and Potential Solutions (2022) and Biodiversity and Bioprospecting: Recent Research Endeavours (2025). Additionally, she has 1 copyright application under process for skull morphology documentation of bat species.

Research Projects & Funding

Dr. Jeyapraba has secured research funding from multiple sources. She served as co-investigator on the Global Giving Organization project "Conserve Bats in the International Year of Bats in India" (2011–2012), which received USD 350 in online donations. She received USD 3,500 from Bat Conservation International for a project on anthropogenic threats and land use change effects on bat diversity (2018–2019). She served as UBA Coordinator under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme, securing Rs. 50,000 for household surveys in adopted villages (2019). She also coordinated science exhibition and computer training programmes funded by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, totalling Rs. 40,000 (2019–2023).

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Throughout her career, Dr. Jeyapraba has provided robust academic mentorship and supervision. She has guided 7 M.Sc. students, 3 M.Phil. students and 7 Ph.D. students (awarded) and served as examiner for 1 external Ph.D. candidate. She has contributed extensively to university examinations and academic assessment, participating in central valuations for Manonmaniam Sundaranar University across multiple examination cycles and serving as external examiner and question paper setter for various institutions including the University of Madras, Periyar University, St. Mary's College and Pope's College. She has engaged in academic governance as a member of various university bodies and served on multiple institutional committees.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Dr. Jeyapraba has actively participated in faculty development and professional activities. She has organized and coordinated 28 workshops, seminars, conferences and special programmes including DST CURIE-sponsored international conferences on biological and health sciences, national seminars on biodiversity and bioprospecting, and science festivals. She has contributed as a resource person in 14 external engagements and participated in inservice training programmes supported by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology. She has contributed significantly to extension activities in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and government institutions.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Dr. Jeyapraba has received 25 awards and recognitions in acknowledgement of her contributions to science and education. Notable honours include the Best Paper Award (2012) for her work on changing environmental impacts on bat diversity, the 3rd International Academic Excellence Award (2020), and multiple teacher and educator awards from national and international bodies (2022–2023). She holds recognitions including the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Puruskar for Teaching and Research Excellence (2022), the International Best Professor Award for Research and Excellence in Biodiversity (2022) and the SE.VE Life Time Achievement Award (2023). She is professionally affiliated with the Chiroptera Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (CCINSA), the International Association of Research and Developed Organization (IARDO) and serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Entomology Research and the International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research. She is a member of the Board of Studies for Zoology at Holy Cross College and Scott Christian College and served as Senate Member in Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (2020–2026).

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Dr. Jeyapraba has demonstrated sustained leadership in institutional governance and development. She has served as IQAC Coordinator (2017–2021), NIRF Nodal Officer (2022–2024), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Coordinator (2018–2024), Chairman of the Zoology Board (2016–Present), Vice Principal (2024–Present) and Vice President of the college (2023–2024). She has been an active member of the Autonomy Academic Council, Governing Body and Governing Board. Within the college, she has held roles including Staff Association Secretary, Staff Council Secretary, Entrepreneur Development Cell Coordinator (2022–2024) and Internal Academic Audit Expert (2022–2023). Her involvement in university-level committees and examination bodies reflects her commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award

Dr. L. Jeyapraba presents a compelling profile for the Women Researcher Award based on her sustained 32-year career in teaching and research, 71 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 28 book chapters, 4 patents, 10 authored or co-edited books, 7 awarded Ph.D. students mentored, and 25 prestigious awards and recognitions. Her research has made significant contributions to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem understanding, with particular emphasis on bat ecology, insect diversity and avifaunal studies. She has demonstrated research leadership through project funding, international collaborations and scholarly publications in Web of Science indexed journals. Her extensive involvement in academic governance, faculty development and institutional strengthening reflects her commitment to higher education advancement. She has consistently engaged in community outreach and extension activities while maintaining rigorous teaching and mentoring standards.

Based on these achievements and credentials, Dr. L. Jeyapraba is eligible for consideration for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research, biodiversity conservation, academic leadership and institutional development.