Aishwarya Mitra, Finance, Young Researcher Award

Dr. Aishwarya Mitra: Assistant Professor at Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Dr. Aishwarya Mitra is a dedicated academician and researcher in the field of Finance, currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Level 10) at Nirma University, Ahmedabad. She has a strong academic foundation in accounting and financial management, complemented by her doctoral research at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur, where she focused on Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion in the Indian Context. With diverse teaching experience across reputed institutions, Dr. Mitra is deeply committed to advancing financial awareness, inclusion, and behavioral finance research in India. Her academic philosophy centers on blending conceptual understanding with applied research to enhance learning outcomes and promote inclusive financial systems.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

As of now, Dr. Aishwarya Mitra has made measurable contributions to the field of finance, reflected in her research impact metrics:

  • Total Citations: 16 (all since 2020)

  • h-index: 2

  • i10-index: 1

These metrics demonstrate the recognition of her scholarly work in financial literacy, behavioral finance, and financial inclusion, with ongoing citations indicating the relevance and applicability of her research in academic and professional circles.

Education

Dr. Mitra earned her Ph.D. in Finance from NIT Durgapur (2020–2025), where her research explored how financial literacy, inclusion, and behavior interact to enhance financial well-being among Indian households and professionals. She completed her M.Com (Finance) with a CGPA of 7.79 and B.Com (Accountancy) with 70.23% from Ravenshaw University, one of Odisha’s premier institutions. Additionally, she qualified the UGC NET (2018) examination and cleared both CA-CPT and CA-Intermediate (Group I & II) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). This strong combination of academic and professional credentials reflects her deep understanding of both theoretical and practical dimensions of finance.

Research Focus

Her primary research interests lie in financial literacy, financial inclusion, behavioral finance, financial well-being, and retirement planning behavior. Dr. Mitra investigates how individuals’ financial knowledge and self-efficacy shape their financial decisions, coping mechanisms, and overall satisfaction with life. Her work combines behavioral insights with quantitative methods such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), SmartPLS, and AMOS, to empirically validate theoretical models in finance. She also explores the role of digital financial literacy and fintech adoption in improving access to financial products and services, particularly among underserved populations and the Indian IT workforce.

Experience

Dr. Mitra’s academic journey includes roles at Amity University, Ranchi and Sri Sri University, Cuttack, where she taught a wide range of finance and management subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her teaching expertise spans Accounting for Decision Making, Financial Management, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Business Law, and Project Finance. Beyond teaching, she has supervised multiple student research projects, served as a mentor under institutional mentorship programs, and taken on administrative responsibilities such as coordinating student activities and clubs. Her approach to pedagogy emphasizes experiential learning, analytical rigor, and the practical application of financial theories in contemporary business environments.

Research Timeline & Activities

Between 2020 and 2024, Dr. Mitra’s doctoral journey at NIT Durgapur was marked by extensive research activity, including paper presentations at top-tier national and international conferences hosted by IIM Mumbai, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Kashipur, and IIT Roorkee. She has published in Scopus and ABDC-ranked journals and contributed significantly to departmental academic initiatives, including organizing the Management Doctoral Research Consortium (MDRC 2024). Dr. Mitra has attended over 30 national and international workshops, FDPs, and webinars on advanced research methods, data analytics, and SEM tools like R, SmartPLS, and AMOS, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and methodological excellence.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Mitra has been recognized for her academic excellence and professional qualifications, including UGC-NET (2018) certification in Commerce and successful completion of CA-Intermediate and CA-CPT examinations by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Her strong quantitative and analytical background has been instrumental in her research and teaching. She has received appreciation for her active participation in various management conferences and has contributed to academic communities through mentoring, club leadership, and research collaborations. These achievements underscore her dedication to academic excellence, professional integrity, and institutional contribution.

Top Noted Publication

Among her prominent scholarly contributions, the paper titled “Empowering Financial Choices: How Financial Literacy and Behavioral Bias Shape Access to Financial Products & Services” published in the International Journal of Accounting and Information Management (Scopus; ABDC-B) stands out as a significant contribution to behavioral finance research. Her other notable publications include “Financial Literacy and Its Impact on Life Satisfaction in Rural Households” in the Journal of Indian Business Research, and “What Can Enhance the Financial Well-being of IT Professionals?” in the Journal of Financial Services Marketing (ABDC-B). These works collectively highlight her empirical exploration of financial literacy’s role in promoting financial capability, inclusion, and life satisfaction among diverse Indian demographics.

  • Financial literacy and its impact on life satisfaction in rural households: a mediated approach via financial self-efficacy – A Mitra, A De, Journal of Indian Business Research, 16(3), 353–374, 2024, Cited by 10

  • Enhancing life satisfaction through financial literacy and behavior: Insights from the Indian IT sector – A Mitra, A De, Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 40(2), 213–250, 2025, Cited by 5

  • Empowering financial choices: how financial literacy and behavioral bias shape access to financial products and services – A Mitra, A De, International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, 2025, Cited by 1

  • Financial well-being in the IT sector: investigating the role of financial behaviour and planning – A Mitra, S Mohanty, S Priyadarshini, Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 30(4), 1–18, 2025

Strength for the Young Researcher Award

1. Strong Academic and Professional Foundation

Ph.D. in Finance from NIT Durgapur (2020–2025) focusing on financial literacy, inclusion, and behavior in India.

M.Com (Finance) and B.Com (Accountancy) from Ravenshaw University.

Qualified UGC NET (2018) and CA-CPT & CA-Intermediate (ICAI).

Blend of theoretical rigor and practical financial expertise.

Strength Highlight: Solid academic credentials with a professional accounting qualification make her research both rigorous and applicable.

2. Research Productivity and Impact

Total Citations: 16 (since 2020)

h-index: 2, i10-index: 1

Published in Scopus and ABDC-ranked journals (e.g., International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, Journal of Financial Services Marketing).

Research covers financial literacy, behavioral finance, financial inclusion, and financial well-being.

Strength Highlight: Early-career recognition in quality journals with measurable scholarly impact.

3. Specialized Research Expertise

Focus on behavioral finance, financial literacy, financial self-efficacy, digital finance, and retirement planning.

Uses advanced quantitative methods: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), SmartPLS, AMOS, R.

Empirical research in diverse populations: rural households, IT professionals.

Strength Highlight: Ability to bridge theory, empirical analysis, and real-world financial behavior.

4. Teaching and Mentorship Excellence

Experience at Amity University, Sri Sri University, and now Nirma University.

Teaches Accounting, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, Business Law, Project Finance.

Mentored students and coordinated academic clubs and research projects.

Strength Highlight: Proven ability to translate complex research into effective teaching and mentoring.

5. Active Engagement in Research Community

Presented at IIMs (Mumbai, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Kashipur) and IIT Roorkee.

Participated in 30+ national and international workshops, FDPs, and webinars.

Organized Management Doctoral Research Consortium (MDRC 2024).

Strength Highlight: High engagement in academic community and professional development, reflecting leadership potential in research.

Leshma Manogna Ramappagari, Finance, Best Innovator Award

Prof. Leshma Manogna Ramappagari: Assistant Professor at BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, India

Dr. Leshma Manogna R. is a dedicated Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics & Finance, BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus. She specializes in Agricultural Commodity Markets and integrates advanced financial econometrics with real-world agribusiness challenges. With a strong foundation in analytics and computer science, she brings an interdisciplinary approach to her teaching and research. Dr. Manogna is passionate about exploring how financialization impacts commodity markets and food security, and she actively mentors students and collaborates internationally.

Online Profiles

Since 2020, Dr. Leshma Manogna R.’s research has garnered significant attention, accumulating a total of 892 citations overall and 888 citations since 2020 alone. Her impactful contributions are reflected in an h-index of 18 and an i10-index of 23, demonstrating both the breadth and quality of her published work in the fields of agricultural economics and financial econometrics. These metrics highlight her growing influence within the academic community.

Education

Dr. Manogna earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Commodity Markets from BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus in 2021, with a dissertation focusing on market efficiency and the financialization of Indian agricultural commodities. Prior to that, she completed her MBA specializing in Analytics and Finance from NMIMS Mumbai in 2016, graduating with a bronze medal and university third rank. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science & Engineering from BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus in 2013, providing her with a strong technical background for quantitative research.

Research Focus

Her research centers on understanding the intersection of agricultural markets and financial economics, particularly how financial instruments influence commodity price dynamics and market efficiency. She applies cutting-edge techniques such as deep learning, hybrid neural networks, and panel data econometrics to forecast price volatility and analyze policy impacts. Her interests also extend to agribusiness strategies, the role of institutional ownership, and the effects of financialization on food security and sustainability in emerging economies.

Experience

Since May 2021, Dr. Manogna has been an Assistant Professor at BITS Pilani Goa Campus, where she teaches courses on security analysis, portfolio management, and corporate finance. Her previous industry experience includes working as an Analytics Consultant at FICO, Bangalore, where she applied predictive modeling to financial risk management, and as a Consultant Analyst at Meritus Analytics, Bangalore. This blend of academic rigor and practical exposure enables her to bridge theory and application effectively.

Research Timeline & Activities

Her doctoral thesis, defended in July 2021, explored empirical evidence on the financialization and efficiency of Indian agricultural commodity markets. Since then, she has been actively involved in major funded projects, such as the NABARD-sponsored study on farmers’ engagement with e-NAM platforms in Goa and the ICSSR-supported multi-state research on the impact of e-NAM on farmers in Goa and Maharashtra. She regularly publishes in high-impact international journals, serves as a peer reviewer, and presents at leading conferences worldwide, contributing to policy dialogues and academic discourse.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Manogna’s scholarly excellence has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards. In 2025, she received the Directors Young Investigator Award from BITS Pilani and the Young Woman Researcher in Commodity Markets award from the Centre for Women Development. In 2024, she was honored by the Ministry of Education and ICSSR under the ‘Her Research Our Future’ initiative. Earlier accolades include the Young Scientist Award (2021) and a bronze medal in her MBA program, reflecting her consistent academic and research performance.

Top Noted Publication

One of her landmark publications is “Enhancing agricultural commodity price forecasting with deep learning,” featured in Scientific Reports (2025), which has been widely cited for advancing forecasting methodologies using hybrid neural networks. This work offers valuable empirical insights into Indian agricultural markets, demonstrating how innovative AI models can improve price volatility predictions and risk management. It has contributed significantly to both academic literature and practical market applications, influencing subsequent research in commodity economics.

  • Forecasting Spot Prices of Agricultural Commodities in India: Application of Deep‐Learning Models
    M RL, AK Mishra
    Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, 28(1), 72-83 (2021) — 100 citations
  • Does Corporate Governance Characteristics Influence Firm Performance in India? Empirical Evidence Using Dynamic Panel Data Analysis
    AK Mishra, S Jain, RL Manogna
    International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, 18(1), 71-82 (2021) — 84 citations
  • Price Discovery and Volatility Spillover: An Empirical Evidence from Spot and Futures Agricultural Commodity Markets in India
    M RL, AK Mishra
    Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 10(4), 447-473 (2020) — 77 citations
  • Does Investment in Innovation Impact Firm Performance in Emerging Economies? An Empirical Investigation of the Indian Food and Agricultural Manufacturing Industry
    M RL, AK Mishra
    International Journal of Innovation Science, 13(2), 233-248 (2021) — 55 citations
  • Ownership Structure and Corporate Social Responsibility in India: Empirical Investigation of an Emerging Market
    M RL
    Review of International Business and Strategy, 31(4), 540-555 (2021) — 53 citations

Strengths for the Best Innovator Award

High Research Impact and Citations:
Prof. Leshma Manogna Ramappagari has achieved a remarkable research impact with a total of 892 citations, of which 888 have been earned since 2020. This rapid accumulation of citations underscores the relevance and timeliness of her research in agricultural commodity markets. Her work is consistently referenced by scholars and practitioners alike, highlighting its importance in shaping current understanding and innovations in the field.

Robust Academic Productivity and Quality:
An h-index of 18 and an i10-index of 23 demonstrate that Prof. Manogna’s research output is not only prolific but also highly influential. These metrics reflect a strong record of peer-reviewed publications that have been cited multiple times, indicating that her studies are foundational and frequently used to inform further research, policy-making, and market strategies.

Pioneering Use of Advanced Computational Techniques:
She stands out for her innovative application of cutting-edge methodologies such as deep learning, hybrid neural networks, and panel data econometrics. By integrating these sophisticated techniques into the analysis of commodity price forecasting and market dynamics, she pushes the boundaries of traditional agricultural economics research, introducing novel tools that enhance predictive accuracy and economic insights.

Interdisciplinary Research Approach Enhancing Innovation:
Prof. Manogna’s background in computer science, finance, and economics enables her to adopt an interdisciplinary approach that merges quantitative analytics with real-world agribusiness challenges. This fusion of disciplines fosters creativity and innovation, allowing her to develop comprehensive solutions that address complex issues such as financialization, price volatility, and food security in emerging markets.

Influential and Widely Cited Publications Shaping Policy and Practice:
Her published works, including several high-impact papers with citation counts exceeding 50 to 100, have contributed significantly to both academic literature and practical market applications. For example, her research on deep learning models for forecasting agricultural commodity prices has influenced subsequent studies and has practical implications for risk management and policy formulation, reinforcing her role as a leading innovator in her field.

Asep Darmansyah, Finance, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate Asep Darmansyah: Lecturer at Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

Dr. Ir. Asep Darmansyah, M.Si., is an Associate Professor at the School of Business and Management (SBM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. With an extensive academic and professional background, he specializes in accounting, financial management, and business strategy. His research interests are primarily centered around the roles of cost accounting, financial statement analysis, financial performance, and capital budgeting in promoting the sustainability and growth of businesses in developing economies. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Darmansyah is committed to enhancing financial literacy, promoting responsible financial management practices, and contributing to the development of businesses, especially in emerging markets like Indonesia. His work bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering real-world solutions to complex financial challenges.

Online Profiles

  • Scopus Author ID: 56287823900 – Dr. Darmansyah’s Scopus profile offers access to his publication history, citations, and academic contributions.

  • ORCID: 0000-0003-3938-4091 – His ORCID ID ensures proper attribution of his academic work and provides a centralized hub for his professional identity across various research platforms.

  • Google Scholar: Asep Darmansyah Google Scholar – This profile showcases his extensive list of publications, citations, and scholarly impact in the field of business and management.

  • He has gained significant recognition for his scholarly contributions, reflected in his citation metrics—275 citations and an h-index of 8, which underscore the impact of his research in the academic community.

Education

Dr. Darmansyah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), completed in 1987. He pursued his advanced studies at the University of Padjadjaran (UNPAD), where he earned both his Master’s degree (2000) and Doctoral degree (2018) in Accounting. His academic journey has given him a unique combination of expertise in both business administration and finance, allowing him to approach issues of financial performance, cost management, and business sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective. This foundation has contributed significantly to his in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in developing countries.

Research Focus

Dr. Darmansyah’s research primarily revolves around the intersection of financial management practices and business sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the role of cost accounting, financial statement analysis, and capital budgeting. His work explores how businesses can enhance financial performance while also ensuring long-term sustainability in the face of economic challenges. One of his key areas of focus is the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and how they influence financial decision-making. Furthermore, his research delves into the importance of financial literacy, especially in the context of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and how this impacts their profitability and overall growth.

Experience

Dr. Darmansyah has accumulated over 20 years of experience in academia, both as an educator and researcher. He has held various leadership roles within the School of Business and Management at ITB, where he contributes to shaping the academic and research direction of the institution. Over the years, Dr. Darmansyah has successfully secured research funding from various institutions, including ITB’s internal research funding program (DIPA ITB), enabling him to lead and collaborate on numerous high-impact projects. His professional involvement extends beyond teaching, as he regularly serves as a reviewer for several prestigious international journals and conferences in the fields of accounting, business strategy, and financial management. His work continues to influence both academic circles and the practical field of financial management.

Research Timeline

Dr. Darmansyah’s research has been prolific in recent years, focusing on critical financial management topics that address the needs of businesses in Indonesia and other emerging economies. Some of his notable research projects include:

  • 2025: Exploring sophisticated capital budgeting decisions and their impact on financial performance and risk management.

  • 2024: Investigating the role of ESG factors in moderating the relationship between financial performance and Maqashid Syariah (Islamic goals of business).

  • 2023: Analyzing the influence of financial literacy and innovation on the performance of MSMEs.

  • 2022: Assessing the effects of macroeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on the profitability of consumer goods industries.

  • 2021: Conducting studies on household finances, the COVID-19 pandemic, and well-being in emerging countries, as well as exploring the impact of business strategy on company profitability.
    His ongoing research continues to explore how financial strategies can help businesses navigate challenges in a constantly evolving global market.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Darmansyah has received recognition for his work both in academic research and professional practice. He is a Certified Wealth Manager (CWM), showcasing his expertise in financial management. In addition, Dr. Darmansyah is an active member of several prominent professional associations, including the Indonesian Financial Management Association (IFMA) and the Indonesian Institute of Accountants (IAI). His contributions to research, teaching, and the development of business management practices have earned him numerous accolades and respect within the academic community.

Top-Noted Publications

Dr. Darmansyah has published extensively in leading academic journals, with some of his top publications in recent years:

  • 2025: “Sophisticated Capital Budgeting Decisions for Financial Performance and Risk Management – A Tale of Two Business Entities,” Journal of Risk and Financial Management (JRFM), Vol. 18.

  • 2024: “Techno-Economic Feasibility of Geothermal Power Plant in Indonesia Using RETScreen Considering Carbon Credit Mechanism to Achieve Indonesia’s NDC 2060,” Heliyon (Accepted).

  • 2023: “The Implications of Financial Literacy Rate on the Company Profitability of MSMEs in Bandung,” International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Vol. 18, Nos. 3/4.

  • 2023: “Financing of the Agricultural Business by Sharia Bank to Increase the Exchange Rate of Farmers in West Java Province,” International Journal of Current Science Research and Review.

  • 2022: “Financial Performance Analysis and Recommendations of PT Blue Bird Tbk,” International Journal of Business and Economy.

These publications have made significant contributions to the fields of financial management, accounting, and business strategy, particularly in the context of emerging markets.