Dr. Shakeela V. is attached to the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation in the capacity of Director for the last three years. She is an expert in the field of integrated pest management and worked in various capacities in Biocontrol Research Institution, Banglore for the last 25 years. Her contributions in the field of pest management shed light on the control of dominant pests affecting major crops in the state. Dr. Shakeela at present focuses on how agriculture technologies could transform the lives of the rural communities especially the tribes and marginalised people in the state. She envisages and implements the projects in line with a pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature approach and efficiently channelizes resources for the overall development of the region. Sustainable utilization of natural resources, conservation of agrobiodiversity and educating the community on various aspects of agriculture, pest management for self-reliance are other areas to which she gives prime attention. At present, she acts as the principal investigator for six major projects supported by national and internationally reputed donor agencies that aim for the holistic development of various tribal settlements and to change the lives of farm families. Being a prolific researcher, she penned several academic publications in national and internationally reputed journals and made numerous popular articles in weeklies and other periodicals. Dr Shakeela is also actively engaged to promote science and scientific temper in society through actions.