Beela.G.K

Dr. Beela G. K. Professor & Head, Department of Community Science , 
College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University  
Brief Introduction 
Dr. Beela G. K. is a  faculty member at Kerala Agricultural University, where she has been 
teaching and conducting research since 1997. Between 2011 and 2016, she served as the 
Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, Poojapura, where she spearheaded several 
initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of people with disabilities. She is particularly 
known for her work in using horticulture therapy as a therapeutic tool for communities with 
special needs, creating integrated models that combine scientific research with philanthropic 
action. 
Academics & Research  
Dr. Beela holds a Master's, M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Child and Human Development. Her 
academic background, combined with her practical expertise, has made her a key figure in 
the development of garden-based therapeutic interventions. Her research areas include stroke 
Nutrition  , Cognitive Nutrition, Rice Fortification , Anti cancer nutrition products Garden
based Nutrition Education, and dietary approaches for managing conditions like Attention 
Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome (ADHD), Autism,  and Horticultural Therapy.  
She has served as the principal investigator for over 14 major research projects funded by 
organizations like the World Bank, the United Nations World Food Programme, Kerala Social 
Security Mission, State Horticultural Mission, KSCTEC, CEDS and Kerala State Planning 
Board. Through her ongoing work, Dr. Beela continues to bridge the gap between academic 
research and community-driven solutions through consultancy  particularly in the fields of 
disability, human development, and therapeutic horticulture. 
Publications /Awards /Editor  
Dr. Beela has authored more than 58  scholarly articles and books, including Horticultural 
Therapy and A Toolkit to ADHD. She also received prestigious awards such as the John Walkers 
Community Service Award (2020) from the American Horticultural Therapy Association 
(Kansas University, USA), the INSO Women Researcher Award (2023), and the Kavungal 
Mahila Ratnam Award (2013). She also functions as editorial board in the reputed  Indian 
Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. 
Extension Activities  
Dr. Beela is also a resource person, frequently invited to deliver lectures and sessions on 
human development at prominent institutions like the Indian Institute of Space Science and 
Technology (IIST), IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, HRDC, Kerala University  Trivandrum, SAMETI 
(State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute), IMG (Institute of 
Management in Government), Govt Medical Colleges and several other reputed institutions. 
Philanthropy  
Beyond her research publications Dr. Beela is a passionate advocate for child development 
and the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. She has been instrumental 
in establishing therapeutic gardens for children with special needs in more than 20 schools 
across Kerala, bringing her innovative research into real-world applications.