Dr Jayshree Vencatesan obtained a PhD in Biodiversity and Biotechnology from the University of Madras. She is a graduate and post-graduate in Home Science and Community Nutrition. She is an experienced social scientist having worked on issues of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecological restoration, with a special interest in urban wetlands. Dr Jayshree Vencatesan is the first Indian grantee of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute-Center for Tropical Studies short-term research fellowship. She was also awarded the prestigious Ramseshan Fellowship for science writing by the Indian Academy of Science. Having carried out field studies throughout India, she has to her credit 30 scientific publications and one book.She currently serves as Care Earth’s Managing Trustee and member of Tamil Nadu State Wildlife Board, Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority, Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Board, Government of Tamil Nadu.