Dr. Padma Shree Vankar holds a Ph.D in organic chemistry and has over 25 years' experience in natural dyeing. She is currently working as Head in the Somaiya Centre of Excellence in Analytical and Measurement Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, India. Dr. Vankar's current research is in the characterization of newer natural dyes and designing synthetic strategies for eco-friendly dyes. She has written 8 books in the field, handled 10 major research projects on natural dyes, published 170 research publications and made one documentary film on process development in vegetable dyeing. Pankar has one Indian Patent granted on natural dye.