Assoc. Prof Manoj Kumar: Associate Professor at Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
Assoc. Prof Manoj Kumar Arya is an accomplished Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. A dedicated researcher, academician, and entomologist, Dr. Arya has more than 20 years of research experience and 16 years of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is widely recognized for his contributions to insect taxonomy, biodiversity conservation, and ecological studies in the Western Himalayas. His work has significantly advanced knowledge in forest entomology, particularly regarding pollinator communities, butterfly ecology, and species distribution in protected areas. Dr. Arya has successfully guided six Ph.D. scholars, currently supervises three, and remains active in research, teaching, and academic administration.
Online Profiles
Dr. Arya maintains a visible academic presence through several research platforms and networks. His research publications and collaborative projects are available on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and ORCID, where his academic footprint reflects his active engagement in entomological research. These platforms provide access to his journal articles, citation metrics, co-author networks, and project updates, making his scientific contributions accessible to peers and students globally.
Dr. Manoj Kumar Arya is affiliated with Kumaun University, Nainital, India. His profile showcases 22 research documents, which have received 54 citations across 42 documents, indicating his contributions are being steadily referenced in the scholarly community. His current h-index stands at 4, reflecting a growing impact in the fields of entomology and biodiversity. Dr. Arya is encouraged to associate his Scopus profile with his ORCID ID and Mendeley to further enhance visibility and integration across research platforms.
Education
Dr. Arya obtained his Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Zoology with a specialization in Entomology from Kumaun University, Nainital, in 1999. He went on to earn his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Zoology in 2005 from Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for his deep involvement in insect ecology, systematics, and environmental interactions. With a strong academic foundation, he has continued to broaden his expertise through numerous faculty development programmes, orientation courses, and specialized workshops in molecular tools, taxonomy, and environmental sciences.
Research Focus
Dr. Arya’s research is rooted in the ecological and taxonomic investigation of insects, particularly Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), focusing on their biodiversity, habitat associations, population dynamics, and ecological services in Himalayan ecosystems. He studies the role of insects in pollination, their response to climatic gradients, and their use as bioindicators in forest health assessments. His interdisciplinary approach integrates classical taxonomy, field ecology, GIS, and molecular tools, with an emphasis on high-altitude and protected area entomofauna. Current research also includes morphometric and molecular characterization of insect taxa and the impacts of environmental disturbances like forest fires.
Experience
Dr. Arya brings a wealth of academic, administrative, and research experience to his role at Kumaun University. His teaching spans a wide range of zoological topics, particularly entomology, ecology, and biodiversity studies, delivered to undergraduate and postgraduate students. He has held various responsibilities including Assistant Superintendent of Examinations, Member of the Proctorial Board, NSS Programme Officer, Member of Admission Committees, and Coordinator of Pre-Ph.D. coursework. His role as a resource person, invited speaker, and organizer in national seminars and webinars further demonstrates his active involvement in knowledge dissemination and institutional development.
Research Timeline
Since the early 2000s, Dr. Arya has pursued a progressive research agenda beginning with baseline taxonomic surveys and leading to complex ecological modeling and applied conservation strategies. Over the years, he has completed university-funded research projects and mentored students whose dissertations have explored insect communities in various protected areas like Corbett Tiger Reserve, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nandhour Wildlife Sanctuary. His recent projects involve species composition and molecular work on swallowtail butterflies and pollinators in Himalayan biotopes. This timeline reflects a steady evolution from descriptive biodiversity work to integrative ecological and molecular studies.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Arya’s research excellence has been recognized through several national and institutional honors, including a prestigious cash prize and medal from the Vice Chancellor of Kumaun University in 2022 for outstanding contribution to Zoology. In 2023, he received the Best Entomologist Award and Best Paper Presentation Award in national scientific forums. He has earned fellowships from the Zoological Society of India (FZSI) and the Indian Academy of Environmental Sciences (FIAES), along with medals for research presentation, poster sessions, and science festivals. These accolades highlight his leadership in entomology and environmental sciences.
Top-Noted Publication
Among Dr. Arya’s 58 published research papers, his work titled “Widespread butterflies follow inconsistent trends in the Bergmann’s rule and flight morphometry: Implications for conservation in the Western Himalaya” stands out. Published in Acta Oecologica (Elsevier, 2023), this study challenges classical ecological rules and offers vital insights into butterfly morphology in relation to elevation and climate, emphasizing the conservation needs of montane insect species. With implications for ecological modeling and policy planning, this publication reflects the innovative and applied dimensions of Dr. Arya’s research.
Among Dr. Manoj Kumar Arya’s recent impactful works, two peer-reviewed articles stand out for their contributions to the understanding of plant–insect interactions in the Western Himalaya. The 2025 study, titled “Flower visiting insects of the invasive Mexican daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus DC) and its proximity effect on native flora in the Western Himalaya”, was published in Oriental Insects (DOI: 10.1080/00305316.2024.2448695). It explores how this invasive species influences pollinator dynamics and native plant interactions. Another notable publication, “Diversity of Anthophilous Insects on Naturalized Species Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King & H. Rob. in Western Himalaya”, appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences in 2022 (DOI: 10.1007/s40011-022-01366-y), offering insights into the ecological implications of another widespread naturalized species. These works reflect Dr. Arya’s focused research on pollination ecology, invasive flora, and biodiversity conservation in fragile mountain ecosystems.