Dr. Avishek Dolai | Tocklai Tea Research Institute | India
Dr. Avishek Dolai is a promising early-career researcher and entomologist whose work integrates classical zoology, molecular biology, and modern computational approaches to address complex questions in insect behavior, ecology, and pest management. He is currently serving as a Project Associate-I at the Tea Research Association, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, under a DST-funded project titled Camellia-IDrone, which develops intelligent automated systems for pest infestation assessment and spraying interventions in tea plantations. Dr. Dolai earned his Ph.D. from the University of Calcutta, where his doctoral research explored the nest-defending strategies of the Asian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina), focusing on collective aggression, recognition cues, and the molecular and neurochemical basis of social behavior. He has a strong background in molecular biology, neuroethology, and transcriptomics, complemented by hands-on expertise in chromatographic and imaging techniques including GC-MS, HPLC, FTIR, SEM, TG-DTA, and XRD. According to Scopus, Dr. Dolai has authored 10 documents, with 49 citations and an h-index of 3, reflecting a developing but steadily growing research influence. His publications cover topics ranging from insect silk properties and circadian foraging strategies to pest infestation patterns, insecticide tolerance, and the potential of organic nanoinsecticides for sustainable agriculture. Several of his works have been published in respected journals such as The Science of Nature, Journal of Biological Rhythms, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, Frontiers in Nanotechnology, and PLOS ONE. His interdisciplinary approach also incorporates machine learning and mathematical modeling to derive algorithmic insights into insect decision-making processes, bridging biology and computational sciences. In addition to his research output, Dr. Dolai has contributed to teaching as a Guest Lecturer and Contractual Faculty at Vidyasagar University, mentoring postgraduate students and encouraging scientific thinking. He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Royal Entomological Society (UK), Entomological Society of America, Indian Science Congress Association, and the Zoological Society, Kolkata, which demonstrates his engagement with both national and international scientific communities. His contributions have earned him multiple awards, including the Young Researcher Award and several best oral presentation recognitions, reflecting his ability to communicate science effectively. Furthermore, he is a co-inventor of a patented dolphin detection device, highlighting his innovative spirit and interest in applied technology for ecological monitoring. Dr. Dolai’s developing research profile, growing citation metrics, and commitment to applying science for agricultural and environmental sustainability position him as a promising candidate for recognition as a Best Researcher. His combination of field research, laboratory expertise, and computational modeling reflects a well-rounded scientist whose future work is expected to make significant contributions to both fundamental and applied entomology.
Featured Publications
Dolai, A., & Das, A. (2025). Silk properties of Asian weaver ant changes over time: An understanding of nest protection from natural calamities. The Science of Nature.
Dolai, A., Pal, K., & Das, A. (2024). Characterisation of natural silk of leaf-rolling caterpillar, Parotis marginata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences.
Dolai, A., Soltani, S., Smarr, B., & Das, A. (2024). Divergent circadian foraging strategies in response to diurnal predation versus persistent rain in Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, suggest possible energetic trade-offs. Journal of Biological Rhythms.
Hazra, P., Roy, S., Dolai, A., Mukherjee, A., & Das, A. (2024). Diversity of foliar gall insects and its associated host plants from the eastern Himalayan foothills, India. National Academy Science Letters.
Mandal, S., Dolai, A., Mandal, K. C., & Das, A. (2024). Infestation patterns of a major wood boring pest, Psiloptera fastuosa (Buprestidae: Coleoptera) in Tasar, Terminalia arjuna (Myrtales: Combretaceae) plantation. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.