DR. PUJA RAY IS AWARDED THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF WEED SCIENCE (ISWS) - YOUNG SCIENTISTS AWARD 2012
Date Released: Wed, 16 May 2012 11:40 +0200
In March of this year Dr. Puja Ray was invited to attend the Biennial Conference of Indian Society of Weed Science (ISWS) – on Weed Threat to Agriculture Biodiversity and Environment, 19-20 April 2012, at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, India to accept the ISWS- Young Scientists Award- 2012.
This is a very prestigious award which has been instituted to encourage young scientists in the field of weed research below the age of 35. Her work in the field of weed Biological Control for the past 8-10 years, including 2 years of Postdoctoral work in the Entomology Department with Prof. Martin Hill at Rhodes University has earned her the recognition of her peers.
CONGRATULATIONS PUJA!
Written excerpt from the Award Committee:
Dr Puja Ray is involved with weed research since last ten years and has laid a solid foundation for a research in the management of invasive species. She is well commended for her specialization in applied entomology and mycology in weed research. Throughout her research career she has been working on enhancing the potential of biocontrol agents by improving their activity or by integrating various biocontrol measures.
Dr. Ray did her Ph.D. from R.D. University, Jabalpur, India on integrated management of aquatic weed, water hyacinth using insects and plant pathogens. The study involved integration of the biocontrol agents of water hyacinth and non-target impact of herbicides on the biocontrol agents. She further joined Directorate of Weed Science Research, Jabalpur, for three years as Senior Research Fellow (SRF). She worked on biological control of the invasive weed, parthenium under ICAR funded project. She conducted remarkable research on activity enhancement of Zygogramma bicolorata, an insect biocontrol agent of parthenium by augmentative release and developing a culture of non-diapausing insects. Presently she is working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Rhodes University, South Africa, on the management of aquatic weeds.
Dr. Ray has published nearly 20 research papers in journals of high impact factor and has presented papers in several national and international conferences. Her research work has been appreciated by several national and international awards including the prestigious ‘Graduate Student Award’ at the 5th International Weed Science Congress, Canada and the ‘Best PhD Thesis’ award for the year 2007, by the ‘Indian Weed Science Society’ itself.
