Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Centre of Excellence in Chemical Ecology provides independent, high-level guidance to ensure that the centre maintains global standards of excellence in research, innovation, and scientific integrity. The board evaluates CECE’s research programs, long-term vision, scientific output, and resource allocation, offering strategic insights that help shape the centre’s growth and ensure alignment with international benchmarks in chemical ecology. Comprising internationally distinguished scientists drawn from leading research institutes and universities across the world, the SAB brings deep expertise in chemical ecology and related disciplines. Members are appointed for defined terms to provide a balance of continuity and fresh perspectives, ensuring robust oversight and forward-looking direction. Through regular reviews and consultations, the Scientific Advisory Board helps CECE pursue cutting-edge, high-impact research while fostering an environment of rigor, collaboration, and scientific leadership, ultimately supporting the centre’s mission to become a premier global hub for chemical ecology research.
Prof. Phil Taylor is the founding Head of Applied Biosciences at Macquarie University, a research and training initiative built on the principle of aligning academic research with industry needs and delivering solutions through strong collaborative partnerships Read more...
Prof. Phil Taylor is the founding Head of Applied Biosciences at Macquarie University, a research and training initiative built on the principle of aligning academic research with industry needs and delivering solutions through strong collaborative partnerships. Prof. Phil Taylor work focuses on the sustainable and economically viable management of horticultural insect pests. By bridging fundamental and applied science, Prof. Taylor has contributed fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to pest management, particularly through chemical ecology. Over the past decade, he has concentrated on improving existing control strategies and developing new tools for managing the Queensland fruit fly and other economically important species in Australia. His research interests include strengthening the scientific foundation of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs, as well as designing novel lures and repellents for the detection and control of diverse fruit fly species. As a founding head of a successful department, Prof. Taylor brings valuable experience and strategic insight that will significantly benefit CECE during its formative years.
Dr. Hee, an associate professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to the chemical ecology of Bactrocera fruit flies. Read more...
Dr. Hee, an associate professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to the chemical ecology of Bactrocera fruit flies. His groundbreaking work on methyl eugenol-mediated pheromone communication has reshaped global fruit fly management strategies and influenced modern approaches to semiochemical-based control. A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, Dr. Hee has led multiple IAEA-funded initiatives integrating sterile insect techniques (SIT) with semiochemicals, advancing sustainable and scalable pest management solutions. His research has contributed to key breakthroughs, including clarifying species boundaries within the Bactrocera dorsalis complex through rectal compound analysis, and uncovering how antennae and maxillary palps work together in olfactory detection. He has also played significant leadership roles in the global chemical ecology community, serving as Past President of APACE and Past Chair of the TAAO Steering Committee, while contributing to international programs such as the IAEA’s fruit fly initiatives. With an extensive publication record and editorial contributions, his work bridges fundamental science and real-world agricultural applications.
Dr. Kamala Jayanthi is a nationally acclaimed scientist and one of India’s leading experts in insect chemical ecology and semiochemical-based pest management. She has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple national and international patents, and has received several prestigious honours, including Best Scientist Awards. Read more...
Dr. Kamala Jayanthi is a nationally acclaimed scientist and one of India’s leading experts in insect chemical ecology and semiochemical-based pest management. She has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple national and international patents, and has received several prestigious honours, including Best Scientist Awards. Her work has made foundational contributions to the understanding of insect chemical communication, electrophysiology, behavioral ecology, and plant–insect–microbe volatile interactions. Her scientific leadership spans the entire semiochemical innovation pipeline, from discovery and GC-EAD/EAG electrophysiological validation to behavioral assays, VOC and HIPV profiling, and the strategic development of formulations and slow-release technologies. She has led major national programs advancing indigenous pheromone and kairomone technologies and has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s chemical ecology research landscape. Dr. Jayanthi also brings a strong track record of multi-institutional and international collaboration, working with ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), CSIR laboratories, global chemical ecology centres, and industry partners. Beyond her scientific achievements, she has played an important role in mentoring the next generation of researchers and strengthening national capacity in chemical ecology.
Dr. Geetha Govind brings an exceptional interdisciplinary background spanning plant physiology, biotechnology, and chemical ecology, with a strong focus on plant–insect interactions and adaptive responses. Read more...
Dr. Geetha Govind brings an exceptional interdisciplinary background spanning plant physiology, biotechnology, and chemical ecology, with a strong focus on plant–insect interactions and adaptive responses. During her postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, she investigated transcriptional responses of specialist and generalist herbivores to host plants with altered defense pathways, and evaluated ecological cost–benefit trade-offs using advanced phenotyping platforms. Her broader expertise includes stress genomics, reproductive biology, and algal photobiology. Currently serving as Assistant Professor (Crop Physiology) at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Mandya, she integrates chemical ecology into crop improvement, linking fundamental research with agricultural applications that enhance stress tolerance, productivity, and ecological fitness.
Dr. Byra is an accomplished entomologist with deep expertise in olfactory neuroethology, with a particular focus on moths, flies, termites, and beetles. He holds an M.Sc. in Entomology from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, and a Ph.D. from the University of Lleida, Spain. Read more...
Dr. Byra is an accomplished entomologist with deep expertise in olfactory neuroethology, with a particular focus on moths, flies, termites, and beetles. He holds an M.Sc. in Entomology from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, and a Ph.D. from the University of Lleida, Spain. His postdoctoral research at the University of Cincinnati and the Czech University of Life Sciences focused on unraveling the olfactory mechanisms underlying insect behavior and evolution. Currently, Dr. Byra serves as Lead Entomologist – Application & Innovation Liaison at Gaiagen Technologies Pvt. Ltd., where he leads research initiatives aimed at developing biologically based alternatives to conventional pesticides. He oversees a multidisciplinary team of chemists and entomologists, driving innovation in sustainable pest management solutions.
Dr. Satyajeet Gupta is an interdisciplinary researcher and programme leader working at the intersection of chemical ecology, urban systems, and sustainability science. His work explores how organism–environment interactions shape ecological and social systems under conditions of environmental change, with a strong focus on climate-driven dynamics and multitrophic relationships. Read more...
Dr. Satyajeet Gupta is an interdisciplinary researcher and programme leader working at the intersection of chemical ecology, urban systems, and sustainability science. His work explores how organism–environment interactions shape ecological and social systems under conditions of environmental change, with a strong focus on climate-driven dynamics and multitrophic relationships. He brings a distinctive perspective that connects ecological science with urban and sustainability challenges, translating research into policy-relevant and practice-oriented frameworks. Beyond research, he leads interdisciplinary programmes and teaching initiatives, fostering collaborations across academia, industry, and civil society. His work is centered on advancing scalable, socially grounded solutions in biodiversity, agriculture, and environmental management, aligning closely with CECE’s mission to integrate chemical ecology into broader sustainability and impact-driven frameworks.
Director — Dr. Vivek Kempraj
Dr. Vivek Kempraj is widely regarded as one of India’s leading chemical ecologists, recognized for his pioneering contributions to insect chemical communication, semiochemical discovery, and the application of chemical ecology in sustainable pest management. His research spans behavioural ecology, insect–plant interactions, microbial symbioses, and the development of pheromone-based technologies for agriculture. Dr. Kempraj has published influential work that has advanced fundamental understanding of how insects interpret chemical cues in their environment, while also contributing to practical innovations that support eco-friendly crop protection. Through his extensive collaborations with national and international research institutions, he has played a key role in shaping India’s chemical ecology landscape and building capacity in this emerging field. As Director of the Centre of Excellence in Chemical Ecology, Dr. Kempraj leads the centre’s scientific vision, fostering interdisciplinary research and establishing CECE as a premier hub for chemical ecology research and training.