Dr. Pragya Topal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Mody University of Science and Technology, Sikar. She specialises in Zoology, with a focus on the diversity, taxonomy, and pest behaviour of drosophilids. She earned her Ph.D. from H.N.B. Garhwal (Central) University, where her research examined the ecological distribution and pest potential of drosophilids in the Western Himalaya.

A Gold Medallist and first-rank holder in M.Sc., she completed her B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Delhi and was an INSPIRE scholar. She is currently guiding two research scholars.

• Ph.D. Zoology - Birla Campus, School of Life Sciences, H.N.B. Garhwal (Central) University, Uttarakhand
• M.Sc. Zoology - Dr. Shivanand Nautiyal Government P.G. College, Karanprayag (Chamoli), H.N.B. Garhwal (Central) University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Zoology - Gargi College, University of Delhi

Dr. Topal's research focuses on the ecological distribution, seasonal diversity, and behavioural aspects of drosophilids in orchard ecosystems. Through field surveys and laboratory studies, she investigates species diversity, oviposition behaviour, host preferences, and the pest potential of drosophilid flies affecting fruit crops. Her work also contributes to the taxonomic documentation of drosophilid species, with the broader aim of integrating biodiversity conservation with agricultural productivity in Himalayan fruit-growing landscapes.

• Present Assistant Professor, Mody University of Science and Technology(MUST), Lakshmangarh