Dr. K. R. Lekha
Chief Scientist & Head
Women Scientists Division
Ph. No. 0471-2548208
E. mail id : lek.kscste@kerala.gov.in
Current Role
Administering Women Scientists Division at KSCSTE
Science & Research Management
Major programmes: Back-to- Lab Fellowship for women researchers &
Prathibha Scholarship for students in Basic Sciences
Education
  • Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Civil Engineering
  • M.E., Annamalai University, Geotechnical Engineering
  • B.Tech., University of Kerala, Civil engineering 1986
  • P.G. Diploma in GIS, Centre for Environment & Development , Kerala
Experience
  • JUNE 2019- Till date – Chief Scientist, KSCSTE, Thiruvananthapuram
  • FEBRUARY 2013- MAY 2019 – Scientist, KSCSTE, Thiruvananthapuram
  • MARCH 2007- JANUARY 2013 – Scientist, KSCSTE, Thiruvananthapuram(on working arrangement from CWRDM)
  • MARCH 2006 – MARCH ’07 – Scientist, NATPAC, Thiruvananthapuram(on working arrangement from CWRDM)
  • JUNE 1992 – MARCH 2006 – Scientist, CWRDM, Kozhikode
  • 1990-1992 (2 YEARS) – Senior Research Fellow (1 yr.), Ph.D Scholar (1 year), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Awards & Recognitions
  • “Young Scientist Award” from STEC, Govt. of Kerala , (2000) , 12th Kerala Science Congress, Peerumedu, Title: Coir Geotextiles for erosion control along degraded hill slopes at Attappady-
  • Institute Fellowship from IIT, Madras for Ph.D
  • Research Paper on Coir Geotextiles in the International Journal; Geotextiles & Geomembranes – selected as the 10th among the TOP 25 HOTTEST articles in 2006
  • Research Guide – Calicut University
Publications
  • Lekha K.R (2006) “ Coir Geotextile reinforced clay dykes for drainage of low-lying areas”, Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Vol 24, Issue 1, February 2006, pp 38-51, Elsevier publications.
  • Lekha K.R (2004) “Field Instrumentation and Monitoring of Soil erosion in Coir Geotextile stabilized slopes –A Case study, Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 22 (2004), m ,399-413 , Elsevier publications.
  • Lekha K.R, Krishnaswamy N.R &Basak P., (2003) Consolidation of clay soils for variable permeability and compressibility, Journal of Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engg., ASCE, 129(11), pp.1001-1009
  • Lekha,K.R., Krishnaswamy,N.R., and Basak,P. (1998), “Consolidation of clay by Sand Drains under Time-dependent loading”. Journal of Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Division, ASCE, 124(1), 91-94.
  • Basak,P., Lekha,K.R., and Raghavendra Prasad, P.A. (1993), “Flow through fractured rocks”, Proceedings of the International Workshop on “Water Management: India’s Groundwater Challenge”, Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction, Ahmedabad, December 14-16, 1993
Membership in Professional Bodies
  • Member- Indian Geotechnical Society
  • Member, Institution of Engineers, UK
  • Served as Expert Committee Member- “S&T for Women”, DST, Govt. of India (3 yrs)