Agricultural varsity entomologist bags Senior Scientist Award

Dr Parminder Singh Shera, Principal Entomologist, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been conferred with the prestigious Senior Scientist Award by the Entomological Science Academy (ESA), division of entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. The recognition was given to Dr Shera for his exemplary contributions to the field of entomology. The award was presented to him during the National Congress on ‘Entomology and Emerging Agrotechnologies (NCEEA-2025),’ jointly organised by the SKUAST-Jammu and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu. He was also elected as a Fellow of the Society.

With over 22 years of exemplary service, Dr Shera is a distinguished scientist in the area of biological control of insect pests. His pioneering contributions span a wide array of research areas, including diversity of natural enemy fauna, host-parasitoid interactions, mass-rearing protocols for beneficial insects, biologically intensive pest management strategies, ecological impact of insecticides and transgenic crops on natural enemies and also lac production systems.

Dr Shera has played a key role in the development of 60 pest management technologies included into the University’s Package of Practices, showcasing his commitment to bridging research and application. His scholarly output includes 84 research papers in international and national journals, 77 conference presentations. He has also earned recognitions through multiple best paper awards.

As an accomplished academic, he has taught over 18 courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and successfully guided numerous postgraduates, several of whom have received national-level accolades for their research and academic excellence. His extension work is equally commendable, with 91 extension publications and actively conducted farmer-centric programmes, including trainings, field demonstrations and mass media outreach.