Prof. V. Narayana Reddy is a renowned Professor of Anthropology at Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, and the Founder Registrar of Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore. With an academic career that includes roles as Associate Professor, Professor, and Registrar, Prof. Reddy has made significant contributions to anthropology and higher education. He earned his Ph.D. in Social-Cultural Anthropology from S.V. University, focusing on the sacred complex of Tirumala Tirupati, and holds an M.A. with first rank from the same institution. His scholarly work includes four published books on development and empowerment, and he has led major research projects funded by UGC, ISRO, and UNDP. Prof. Reddy’s leadership is marked by his successful tenure as Dean of Resource Mobilization, where he enhanced university infrastructure and academic programs. As Registrar, he was instrumental in curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and establishing research facilities. Honored with the Andhra Pradesh State Best Teacher Award and a national accolade from the India International Friendship Society, Prof. Reddy is a distinguished candidate for Chairman/Vice-Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education.

Prof. Barnabas Danborno, an esteemed scholar and leader, holds a B.Sc. in Anatomy from the University of Maiduguri (1992) and has significantly contributed to the field since joining Ahmadu Bello University in 1994. He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Anatomy from the same institution, completing his doctorate in 2008. Prof. Danborno is well-versed in diverse academic areas, including gross anatomy, embryology, cell biology, genetics, and biological anthropology. His dedication to teaching has seen him develop and lead courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, fostering the next generation of scientists. A notable highlight of his career is his research on the biology of the Nigerian population using anthropological and genetic approaches. Prof. Danborno’s extensive publication record includes over 100 scientific articles, and he serves on editorial boards for several biomedical journals. His excellence in academia is matched by his leadership roles, including President of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria and Vice President of the Nigerian Society of Human Genetics. A passionate advocate for STEM education, he co-founded STEM4GirlsNigeria, encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and technology.

Dr. Pedarattaiah Gadde is a distinguished leader with extensive experience in the religious and nonprofit sectors, specializing in character advocacy, leadership coaching, and public speaking. He holds M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology from the University of Hyderabad, where he developed a profound understanding of human societies and cultures. In 2002, Dr. Gadde founded PEACEMAKERS, a voluntary service agency dedicated to promoting peace and community development. Building on this foundation, he established the Global Peacemakers Fellowship and Global Peacemakers Alliance in 2011, aiming to foster global collaboration for peace and social justice. Dr. Gadde’s commitment to ethical leadership led to the creation of the International Institute of Character Competencies (IICC) in 2018, focusing on character development and ethical training to empower children, youth, and adults to positively influence the world. In 2021, he founded the Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAfH), leveraging anthropological knowledge to address contemporary human challenges. He also played a key role in establishing the International Institute of Anthropological Applications (IIAA), a platform dedicated to undertaking issue-based anthropological research and applying anthropological insights to solve practical problems. Dr. Gadde’s initiatives continue to impact communities by promoting ethical leadership and social harmony.

Dr. Ramesh Devarakonda is an esteemed Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. He has been a dedicated member of the faculty since 2000, specializing in social and cultural anthropology. Dr. Devarakonda earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Andhra University in 2019, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and research. His research primarily focuses on the diverse tribal communities of Andhra Pradesh, exploring their healthcare delivery systems, nutritional status, educational levels, and socio-cultural factors influencing development. Between 2017 and 2021, Dr. Devarakonda authored several journal articles, including those published in The Oriental Anthropologist and Studies of Tribes and Tribals. He has actively contributed to notable research projects funded by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the UGC, New Delhi, investigating topics such as the ethnographic study of the Mali community and the impact of welfare programs on tribal development. In recognition of his leadership, Dr. Devarakonda serves as Joint Secretary of the Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAH) and has held key positions in departmental committees at Andhra University.

Dr. P. D. Satya Pal Kumar is a Professor of Anthropology at Andhra University, specializing in the study of social inequality, caste and tribe dynamics, cultural capital, nomadic communities, and democracy and human rights. With a strong academic presence, his research interests focus on exploring the social and cultural structures that shape and influence Indian society. Dr. Pal’s notable works include investigations into volume exclusion influences in the spectral characteristics of DNA-amino acid complexes, and the effects of macromolecular crowding on DNA-protein interactions, which have been published in reputable journals such as Vibrational Spectroscopy and the Journal of Fluorescence. His research extends beyond the laboratory, examining cultural and social dynamics in India, highlighted by his studies on Ambedkar’s exploration of cultural capital and the politics of exclusion, published in journals like The Eastern Anthropologist and The IUP Journal of History and Culture. Though his academic email is not verified, Dr. Pal’s contributions to understanding the intersections of science and society position him as a significant figure in contemporary anthropological and sociological research

Prof. Ruma Purkait is a distinguished academic currently serving as the Professor and Head of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Allahabad. She holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Delhi University and a D.Sc. from Dr. H.S. Gour University, along with a qualification in Human Rights for Open Societies from Utrecht University. Prof. Purkait specializes in forensic anthropology, disaster victim identification, biometrics, human growth and development, dermatoglyphics, and human osteometry. Her expertise has earned her numerous accolades, including the International Young Investigator’s Award by the International Association of Forensic Sciences in Tokyo (1996) and a Visiting Fellowship at the University of Central Lancashire, UK (2009). Nationally, she has received the V.B. Sahai Award from the Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (2001) and the UGC Research Award (2004). Prof. Purkait holds a patent for an anthropometric tool and has led several notable projects, including collaborations with the Federal Police of Belgium. Her scholarly contributions include chapters in four books and nearly 50 journal articles, presented at various international and national conferences.

Dr. Rector Arya, Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed., FTOS, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences at College of Arts and Sciences, Texas A&M University – San Antonio. Dr. Rector Arya is a distinguished academic specializing in biological anthropology and population genetics. He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology and Population Genetics from the University of Kansas in 1999 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Arya’s research primarily focuses on the genetic epidemiology of complex diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, in diverse populations. His significant contributions have advanced the understanding of how genetic and environmental factors influence health, supported by numerous studies and publications. As a fellow of The Obesity Society and a member of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Arya is actively engaged in promoting research within his field. His dedication extends beyond research to education, where he mentors and instructs students at Texas A&M University – San Antonio, inspiring future scientists and researchers. Dr. Arya’s work continues to impact both academic and medical communities, advancing knowledge in health and behavioral sciences.

Dr. Praveen Hoogar serves as an Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, School of Social Sciences, The Apollo University, Chittoor-Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Praveen Hoogar is an academic and researcher currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at The Apollo University, Chittoor. Originally from Devarakonda village in Karnataka, he completed his master’s and Ph.D. in Anthropology at Karnatak University, Dharwad, focusing on the health-seeking behaviours of the Halakki Vokkalu, a tribal community in Karnataka. Dr. Hoogar’s expertise extends to qualitative data management, being a certified ATLAS.ti trainer in the Asia-Pacific region. His prior roles include Assistant Professor and Coordinator at the Centre for Bio-Cultural Studies at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He has also contributed significantly as a Teaching Assistant, Research Associate, and field Investigator across various academic and governmental institutions. An esteemed collaborator on the Global Burden of Diseases project with the University of Washington, Dr. Hoogar actively engages with professional organizations. He is the Ex-Officio Vice President of the United Indian Anthropology Forum, a Governing Council Member of the Anthropological Association for Humankind, and a Life Member of the Anthropological Association, Mysore, and the Indian National Confederation and the Academy of Anthropologists

Dr. Raj Kumar Kattula holds a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology with a specialization in the anthropology of public policy from the University of Hyderabad, supported by an ICSSR doctoral fellowship. He is UGC-NET qualified and has published research articles and presented at conferences. With six years of experience spanning academia and industry, Dr. Kattula has worked at prestigious institutions such as the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (NIRD & PR) and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVP-NPA). He has also served as a social and livelihood expert at the Centre for Management and Social Research (CMSR), leading projects in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Baseline Surveys, Social Impact Assessments (SIA), and Livelihood Enhancement Plans (LEP). His projects have been funded by ADB, AIIB, EIB, IFC, and JICA. Dr. Kattula is skilled in Land Acquisition (LA), Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), Gender Action Plans (GAP), and Indigenous People Plans (IPP). Currently, he is directing a project funded by the Department of Planning, Government of Telangana, to study the “Covid-19 Impact on Workforce in the State of Telangana.