LAKSHMI BURRA is associate professor of mathematics at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad. Professor Burra has bagged two PhDs in mathematics: first from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and then from the University of Udine, Italy. She is also a postgraduate in philosophy. With a large number of research publications in leading international journals, her research topics include mathematical modeling of real-life problems such as epidemics, population dynamics, mathematical physics and climate modeling to chaotic dynamics. Some of her important results have been on oscillating population models and long-term models in climate including the link with sunspots. As well as her teaching responsibilities, Professor Burra continues to carry out research both in India and in Europe, where she has an active and ongoing collaboration. She has presented her work in invited talks in several international conferences in India, Europe and the USA. Professor Burra is married and has two sons.