Dr. Padmalochan Dash is a distinguished academician with 15 years of teaching, research, and industry-specific experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Internal Security and an M.Phil. from the Central University of Gujarat. Twice awarded the prestigious ICSSR fellowships for his Ph.D. and post-doctoral work, his post-doctoral research focused on critical infrastructure protection. A UGC NET-qualified scholar in Defense and Strategic Studies, he has also been awarded a Gold Medal for securing First Class First in his Master's from Utkal University of Culture and First Class First in his M.Phil. from the University of Madras. Currently, as a Senior Research Fellow and Project Manager at a leading think tank, Dr. Dash's expertise lies in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, and supply chain security. His insights regularly feature in national media, contributing to defence and security management debates in India.